16:00 Leopardstown

Saturday 9 September 2017

All15:2516:0016:3517:0517:3518:1018:4519:20

Willis Towers Watson Champions Juvenile Stakes (Group 3)

Off time: 16:00 | Winning time: 1m 47.35s

(9)

Camelback²⁰

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: Colin Keane| T: G M Lyons| OR: 102| C

14/1

Has won twice in four starts and not disgraced in a Group 2 last time out despite finishing fourth of five. Looks versatile tactics wise and more progress likely.

Form: 3114

(6)

Delano Roosevelt⁴⁴

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

11/10

Galileo colt, full-brother to Listed winner Indian Maharaja and dam an Irish 1,000 Guineas winner. Produced a smart effort to win on debut over C&D in July. Holds a Group 1 entry and likely yard's runner often improve markedly from their debut.

Form: 1

(5)

Kew Gardens¹⁷

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: Seamie Heffernan| T: A P O'Brien| D

10/1

Improved from his debut to win at Killarney with a certain degree of ease. This is clearly much tougher and Moore prefers Delano Roosevelt but worth his place in the line up.

Form: 71

(4)

Mattymolls Gaga²⁹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: C O'Donoghue| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 93| C

33/1

Maiden winner here over 7f but beaten at Tipperary last time out in Listed race. Needs a decent chunk of improvement to figure here.

Form: 513

(1)

Medal Of Honour^t¹³

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: Wayne Lordan| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 87

50/1

Still a maiden after six starts. Ran well last time out at the Curragh but that form unlikely to be good enough to play a part here and others are less exposed. Looks down the order on jockey bookings.

Form: 032242

(7)

Nelson²³

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: D O'Brien| T: A P O'Brien| CD

11/2

Didn't need to improve to win over C&D last time out, making all in impressive fashion. Ought to carry on improving as he steps up in trip but others arrive with stronger claims and Moore prefers Delano Roosevelt.

Form: 621

(10)

Riyazan³³

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: P J Smullen| T: M Halford

5/1

Iffraaj colt, who is bred for further than this but he was an impressive 25/1 winner on debut at the Curragh. Extra furlong can only help here and another big run expected with improvement likely.

Form: 1

(3)

Sirjack Thomas¹²

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: Billy Lee| T: Madeleine Tylicki| OR: 86

33/1

Off the mark at the fourth attempt last time out at Roscommon and clearly well suited to cut in the ground after finishing runner-up at Gowran the time before. Level of form looks a little below what is required though.

Form: 6621

(8)

Theobald⁴⁴

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: K J Manning| T: J S Bolger| OR: 103| CD

9/2

C&D maiden winner on fast ground on debut in June. Narrowly beaten on two attempts to make all subsequently. Only beaten by a couple of useful Ballydoyle types and that form is amongst the best on offer here so he has a solid each-way chance.

Form: 122

(2)

Verbitude¹⁶⁷

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: Ronan Whelan| T: J S Bolger

66/1

Well beaten on debut over the minimum distance at Naas but unlikely to be suited by this test and likely to be deployed as a pacemaker for Theobald.

Form: 5

Forecasts

Delano Roosevelt (11/10), Theobald (9/2), Riyazan (5/1), Nelson (11/2), Kew Gardens (10/1), Camelback (14/1), Mattymolls Gaga (33/1), Sirjack Thomas (33/1), Medal Of Honour (50/1), Verbitude (66/1)

There was plenty to like about RIYAZAN's debut and with the step up in trip sure to suit, he could prove difficult to beat. Delano Roosevelt is likely to be the best of the Ballydoyle contingent while Theobald holds solid each-way claims after respectable efforts in Group company.