16:10 Curragh

Sunday 13 August 2017

All14:0014:3015:0015:3516:1016:4017:10

At The Races Phoenix Sprint Stakes (Group 3)

Off time: 16:10 | Winning time: 1m 11.77s

(6)

Gordon Lord Byron²⁸

Age: 9| Weight: 9-12| J: Wayne Lordan| T: T Hogan| OR: 111| CD

20/1

C&D Group 2 winner in May, and has shown the occasional tendency to run a huge race in these sort of contests despite his advancing years. Ground versatile and he will have no issues with the trip.

Form: 541424

(2)

Cougar Mountain^p,t²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-7| J: D O'Brien| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 111| D

9/1

Group 2 winner over 1m who drops to this trip for the first time since 2014. Not convincing that the return to sprint distances will help him, though he didn't run badly over 7f at this course last time out.

Form: 286375

(7)

Kimberella⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: Declan McDonogh| T: R A Fahey| OR: 109| D

4/1

Returned to form with a fine win at Chester a week ago (6f, good to soft), his first win in a Pattern race. Was allowed to dominate a small field there and won't find thing as easy here, but still comes here in fine form.

Form: 703301

(3)

Moviesta^p³²

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: R P Downey| T: E Lynam| OR: 104| CD

22/1

Dual Group 3 winner in his earlier years but not at his best recently and this is a big step up from the Dundalk handicap he won on his most recent start.

Form: 2-56951

(10)

Mr Lupton⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Billy Lee| T: R A Fahey| OR: 109| BF| D

8/1

Has generally struggled to make the jump from handicap to pattern company in the past, but often that has been in much more challenging races than this. Trip and ground should be ideal for him and could be capable of securing a place.

Form: 213892

(5)

Washington Dc^b,t⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 110| D

11/4

Has been competitive in Group 1s when in his best form, but hasn't been at his best recently, including when finishing down the field at Royal Ascot two starts ago, and being beaten 5L by Battaash at Goodwood last week. Would be right there on his best form, though, and should enjoy the ground.

Form: 712605

(4)

Koropick²²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-6| J: Josephine Gordon| T: H Palmer| OR: 109| D

8/1

Victory in a Group 3 at Newcastle two starts ago was his first win since his debut, but this is a different challenge that would require him to run another career-best. Top trainer sends a rare runner to this venue.

Form: 7-75218

(8)

Intelligence Cross^b,t⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Seamie Heffernan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 112| CD

6/1

Slightly inconsistent Group 1-level sprinter who has finished close up behind horses including Harry Angel in recent top level races. Previous Group 3 winner over this C&D and should find this to be a more suitable grade.

Form: 9-43950

(9)

Khukri⁸⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Colin Keane| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 106| CD

10/1

Won his maiden on soft ground over C&D, and followed that up with a Listed victory at Navan in April (6f, good). Well-beaten in a Group 3 since and may be short of the quality required to compete at this level.

Form: 231-15

(1)

Mr Scarlet⁵¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: P J Smullen| T: S Lavery| OR: 105

12/1

Well behind Caravaggio on his last two starts, one at this level and one in the Commonwealth Cup, and though he outran his price there he still looks a way short of the likely quality required here.

Form: 41-635

Non-Runners

(11)

Son Of Rest⁶⁴

Weight: 9-3| Age: 3

T: J A Stack J: Chris Hayes

Forecasts

Washington Dc (11/4), Kimberella (4/1), Son Of Rest (9/2), Intelligence Cross (6/1), Mr Lupton (8/1), Koropick (8/1), Cougar Mountain (9/1), Khukri (10/1), Mr Scarlet (12/1), Gordon Lord Byron (20/1), Moviesta (22/1)

He may not have been in his best form recently, but dropped down to a weaker race WASHINGTON DC may be worth siding with. Group 1 level when at his best, he hasn't had things his own way recently but he won a Listed race at Navan in April and may not have enjoyed the ground when five lengths behind Battaash at Goodwood last week. On his best form he would be easily good enough to win this, and there's every chance he can go very well in an easier race. Kimberella won at Chester last week to record a first Listed victory and could be next best, ahead of Mr Lupton, who should enjoy the conditions.