16:15 Curragh

Sunday 10 September 2017

All14:0014:3515:0515:4016:1516:5017:2517:55

Goffs Vincent O'Brien National Stakes (Group 1)

Off time: 16:15 | Winning time: 1m 27.32s

(6)

Beckford²⁸

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: P J Smullen| T: G Elliott| OR: 113| BF| C

6/4

Impressive in winning a couple of 6f contests at this track including a Group 2 event on good-to-yielding ground at the beginning of July. Just touched off in a Group 1 contest over the same C&D last time and this step up in trip is likely to suit.

Form: 112

(8)

Berkeley Square²¹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: Seamie Heffernan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 102| D

20/1

Tipperary maiden winner over an extended 7f in July and best effort in two starts since came when a close third of five over C&D on yielding-to-soft ground last time out. Likely needs to improve on that effort if he's to take this.

Form: 62153

(3)

Brother Bear⁵⁷

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: C O'Donoghue| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 106| BF| C

7/1

Winner of his first two starts including over 6f here and ran well when a close fourth in a 16 runner Group 2 contest at Royal Ascot (6f, good-to-firm) in June. Disappointing odds-on favourite here subsequently and steps up in trip today.

Form: 1143

(1)

Coat Of Arms²¹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: D O'Brien| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 106

8/1

Useful maiden having followed up a couple of placed efforts over 1m by finishing a short-head second to Rostropovich over C&D on yielding-to-soft ground in a Group 2 event last time. Interesting to see if he can repeat that effort in this contest.

Form: 0322

(7)

Lethal Steps³⁰

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: Colin Keane| T: G M Lyons| OR: 97| BF

16/1

Victorious on his first two outings including when odds-on favourite over 1m at Killarney (good) in July. Disappointing when runner-up over an extended 7f in a Listed contest subsequently and more needed if he's to take this.

Form: 112

(5)

Rostropovich^t²¹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 107| CD

7/1

Winning for the second time in four starts when defeating Coat Of Arms in a Group 2 race on yielding-to-soft ground over C&D last time out. Tongue tie worn for the first time on that occasion is retained today and is an interesting runner today.

Form: 7131

(4)

Verbal Dexterity⁷¹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: K J Manning| T: J S Bolger| OR: 110| CD

5/2

Easy winner of a C&D maiden on soft ground back in June and followed that up by finishing runner-up to Beckford in a 6f Group 2 race here the following month. Return to 7f should suit and yard have won this three times in recent years.

Form: 12

Non-Runners

(2)

Gustav Klimt⁵⁷

Weight: 9-3| Age: 2

T: A P O'Brien J: R L Moore

Forecasts

Gustav Klimt (2/5), Beckford (6/4), Verbal Dexterity (5/2), Rostropovich (7/1), Brother Bear (7/1), Coat Of Arms (8/1), Lethal Steps (16/1), Berkeley Square (20/1)

BECKFORD can register his first victory at the highest level by taking a competitive renewal of this Group 1 contest. Gordon Elliott's charge had looked a horse to follow when winning twice earlier this year and with the step up to 7f likely to suit he can get the better of Gustav Klimt who was successful over this trip last time out and hails from the powerful Aidan O'Brien stable. Verbal Dexterity is taken to claim third here on his return to this trip and first outing at this level.