14:35 Leopardstown

Sunday 13 May 2018

All14:0514:3515:1015:4016:1516:4517:15

Amethyst Stakes (Group 3)

Off time: 14:35 | Winning time: 1m 42.18s

(6)

Brendan Brackan²⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 9-9| J: Colin Keane| T: G M Lyons| OR: 109| CD

9/2

Smart performer and a former C&D winner, went well in third over this trip here on reappearance in Listed contest last month. Likely to give this a good go.

Form: 31461-3

(2)

Gordon Lord Byron²⁴

Age: 10| Weight: 9-9| J: Billy Lee| T: T Hogan| OR: 110| CD

11/1

Has won no fewer than six Group races in his time, including a Group 1 success and still retains ability as shown in Newmarket Group 3 (6f, good) on reappearance. Up to the mile, will run his race.

Form: 66365-5

(5)

Pincheck²⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: C O'Donoghue| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 96| CD

6/1

Won his maiden on good to firm over C&D last year and progressive thereafter (two more wins). Heavy ground here last month on reappearance not ideal (behind Brendan Bracken), should improve for it.

Form: 1214-45

(3)

Tennessee Wildcat²¹²

Age: 8| Weight: 9-9| J: Gary Carroll| T: G M Lyons| OR: 102| CD

16/1

C&D winner in 2015, though just 2-23 on turf overall. Returns from winter break and liable to find a few of these fitter / better equipped.

Form: 913359-

(7)

Tribal Beat³⁷¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: K J Manning| T: J S Bolger| OR: 110| BF| CD

8/1

Street Cry colt was a Group 3 winner over C&D in 2016, both runs since have been here over this trip and a bit disappointing. Would take all the beating if back to his best at five-years-old.

Form: 21217/5-

(1)

True Valour²¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Shane Foley| T: J P Murtagh| OR: 108| D

3/1

Ran a cracker here on Champions Weekend in September in C&D Group 2 when ½L second behind Suedois. Won his maiden first-time-out last season, has scope to get involved in this.

Form: 381927-

(4)

Zihba⁵¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: Chris Hayes| T: J A Stack| D

5/2

Very lightly-raced Choisir colt, unbeaten in two starts over this trip on the AW at Dundalk, makes turf debut for in-form Stack yard and, while this is clearly a step up, could have plenty more to come.

Form: 1-1

Forecasts

Zihba (5/2), True Valour (3/1), Brendan Brackan (9/2), Pincheck (6/1), Tribal Beat (8/1), Gordon Lord Byron (11/1), Tennessee Wildcat (16/1)

TRUE VALOUR ran a stormer in Group 2 company over C&D in the autumn and could have more to give this season. He won fresh last season and will surely go close now with a replication of his last effort here. Tribal Beat would be the one to beat on his 2016 Desmond Stakes form but he's only run twice since and has a cloud over him. Brendan Brackan is the reliable option and will run his race but, at nine, may be vulnerable while Zihba is the intriguing one being unbeaten in two AW starts to date.