14:35 Curragh

Sunday 27 August 2017

All13:3014:0014:3515:1015:4516:2016:5517:30

Plusvital Round Tower Stakes (Group 3)

Off time: 14:35 | Winning time: 1m 12.73s

(7)

Landshark¹⁷

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: C O'Donoghue| T: Mrs J Harrington| D

7/2

Made winning debut in nine-runner maiden at Leopardstown (6f, good) 17 days ago, steps up in class here but likely not a decision trainer has taken lightly and merits some thought.

Form: 1

(5)

U S Navy Flag^b,t¹⁴

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 108| CD

5/4

Maiden winner over 6f here in July, application of blinkers has helped elevate form since, running fine races in Newmarket Group 2 and Group 1 Phoenix Stakes over this C&D. Strong contender on that evidence.

Form: 330124

(4)

Youareiffraaj

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: Gary Halpin| T: J Feane

100/1

Iffraaj colt cost €23,000 as a yearling, has decent pedigree but this looks a tough starting place regardless.

Form:

(1)

Ball Girl¹⁹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-0| J: Colin Keane| T: G M Lyons

9/2

Tagula filly was a cheap acquisition as a yearling but since changed hands for €100,000 as a 2yo, created good impression with Roscommon maiden win this month (7½f, soft) and surely has the scope for plenty more for in-form trainer.

Form: 21

(2)

Betsey Trotter¹⁴

Age: 2| Weight: 9-0| J: P J Smullen| T: D K Weld

12/1

Camacho filly who cost 125,000gns, runner-up in 5f maiden here this month on debut, yard are flying (30% strike rate previous two weeks) and should improve.

Form: 2

(6)

Gasta⁵⁶

Age: 2| Weight: 9-0| J: K J Manning| T: J S Bolger| OR: 93| CD

22/1

C&D winner on debut in May and ran well again second time out, readily outclassed last month in Group 3 fillies' contest on good ground and that leaves here with plenty to find and yard enduring cold spell.

Form: 128

(8)

Golden Spell⁸

Age: 2| Weight: 9-0| J: S Foley| T: J P Murtagh| OR: 93| CD

14/1

Has excellent C&D credentials, winner here last month and runner-up eight days ago in nursery. This calls for considerable improvement and stablemate looks more likely.

Form: 31142

(3)

Sankari Royale⁹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-0| J: N G McCullagh| T: J P Murtagh

8/1

Possesses plenty speed and going the right way, runner-up in Listed Newbury event over 5f last time and could easily take another step forward over this longer trip again.

Form: 52212

Forecasts

U S Navy Flag (5/4), Landshark (7/2), Ball Girl (9/2), Sankari Royale (8/1), Betsey Trotter (12/1), Golden Spell (14/1), Gasta (22/1), Youareiffraaj (100/1)

U S Navy Flag is going the right way since getting the blinkers fitted and his second in the Phoenix Stakes here last time is the standout piece of form. He is clearly the one to beat, but is likely to be priced accordingly and might be worth opposing as such. The decision to send Leopardstown maiden winner Landshark straight here is noted, while Betsey Trotter is a lurking improver too but SANKARI ROYALE could be the fly in the ointment. Johnny Murtagh's charge didn't get the clear run last time when runner-up in Listed Newbury contest over the minimum trip. He must improve again, but has the scope to do that and can have a big say here.