15:35 Curragh

Saturday 26 May 2018

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:2017:55

Weatherbys Ireland Greenlands Stakes (Group 2)

Off time: 15:36 | Winning time: 1m 11.82s

(7)

Merchant Navy^b,t⁷⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 117| D

9/2

An Australian Group 1 winner over this trip at Flemington and a very exciting prospect for his new connections. Forced to concede weight to his rivals here but has a host of Group 1 entries and gets the vote of Moore over his two useful stablemates.

Form: 1101-33

(5)

Ardhoomey^t¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: Colin Keane| T: G M Lyons| OR: 104| C| D

16/1

Useful performer who won a Group 2 here in 2016 and returned to form with a Listed success here last time out. 5f probably his best trip though and up against in here.

Form: 36365-1

(1)

Brando¹⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: T Eaves| T: K A Ryan| OR: 114| D

2/1

Impressive winner at Newmarket on return and while no match for Harry Angel at York, he was far from disgraced in defeat. Versatile with regards to conditions and won a Group 1 at Deauville last year so he could be hard to keep out of the places.

Form: 1976-12

(8)

Fas²⁷²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Declan McDonogh| T: E Lynam| OR: 108| D

33/1

Followed a Listed win at Chantilly with a Group 3 success back at that course at the start of last season. Hasn't beaten a rival home on his latest two outings but he's an interesting recruit for these connections who do well with their sprinters.

Form: 34/1107-

(6)

G Force^b³³

Age: 7| Weight: 9-3| J: S Foley| T: A Keatley| OR: 101| BF| D

40/1

Group 1 winner in 2014 but not obvious signs he can still mix at this level given his performances over the last two years and passed over here.

Form: 70-4313

(9)

Intelligence Cross^b,t²¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: J A Heffernan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 110| CD

16/1

Largely deployed as a pacemaker throughout last year but wasn't beaten far in the July Cup at Newmarket. Could be playing a similar role here and down the order on jockey bookings.

Form: 950610-

(2)

Smash Williams^t⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: K J Manning| T: J S Bolger| OR: 98| CD

40/1

Group 3 winner in 2015 but not won since and only placed in a handicap last week at Navan when third of 11. Others preferred.

Form: 486-283

(3)

Spirit of Valor^b,t³⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: D O'Brien| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 114| C| D

7/1

Impressive when winning a Group 2 at the Curragh last year following a good second at Royal Ascot. Well beaten on return when last of eight at Newmarket though and has a bit to find.

Form: 62104-8

(4)

Tasleet^p²¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: Jim Crowley| T: W J Haggas| OR: 116| D

2/1

Won a Group 2 last year and placed in multiple Group 1 contests. Missed an engagement at York recently with a minor injury but he shouldn't mind ground conditions here and he's an obvious contender in this class.

Form: 212022-

Forecasts

Tasleet (2/1), Brando (2/1), Merchant Navy (9/2), Spirit of Valor (7/1), Ardhoomey (16/1), Intelligence Cross (16/1), Fas (33/1), Smash Williams (40/1), G Force (40/1)

TASLEET is a proven Group 1 performer who should appreciate the drop in class here after a fine effort on Champions' Day at Ascot when last seen. Merchant Navy is an obvious threat on his Australian form but conceding weight to these rivals perhaps not ideal. Brando is a consistent performer who should run well again after a good effort behind 2017's Champion Sprinter last time.