16:55 Curragh

Saturday 21 July 2018

All14:3515:1015:4516:2016:5517:3018:0518:40

Friarstown Stud Minstrel Stakes (Group 2)

Off time: 16:56 | Winning time: 1m 23.63s

(2)

Fas^t²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Declan McDonogh| T: E Lynam| OR: 99

40/1

Group 3 winner in France for previous yard but form tailed off towards the end of the campaign and he's shown very little in three runs for this yard. Well beaten in Listed class here last time over 6f and hard to fancy up in this class of race.

Form: 107-968

(3)

Larchmont Lad^p²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: James Doyle| T: D O'Meara| OR: 110| D

4/1

Not won since his Group 3 success at Newmarket as a juvenile. Running well in defeat throughout this campaign but he has a fair bit to prove up at this level, though this wouldn't be the strongest race for the grade.

Form: 3D-4323

(1)

Smash Williams^t²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: K J Manning| T: J S Bolger| OR: 104| C

12/1

Course winner over 6f in Group 3 company as a juvenile but hasn't won since that day. Well below form last season but he's produced some better efforts of late including a promising second in a Group 3 at Leopardstown two starts back. Place chance.

Form: 283524

(7)

So Beloved²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-8| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 112| D

5/2

Group 3 winner back in 2015 but hasn't won since his Listed win at Haydock over two years ago. Went close last time out when a close second in a Group 3 at Newmarket though and he's not without each-way claims here if he can reproduce that run.

Form: 9-24282

(6)

St Patrick's Day^t²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 104| BF| D

11/8

Won a maiden on dirt for Bob Baffert and probably needed the run in Listed class here last time. Beautifully bred (full-brother to US Triple Crown winner American Pharoah) and drop back to 7f could be in his favour. Unexposed and has leading claims.

Form: 21-3

(4)

Hence⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: J A Heffernan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 102| C

9/1

Won a 1m handicap here in May and got back to form with a narrow defeat at Killarney last time out in Listed company. Drop back in trip no issue but she would have to take her form to a new level to get involved here. Moore prefers St Patrick's Day.

Form: 421952

(5)

Mamba Noire^v⁴⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: S Foley| T: K J Condon| OR: 100

25/1

Not won since her debut in a maiden as a juvenile. Ran some creditable races in defeat in Group class towards the end of last year though and shaped as if in need of the run at seasonal return at Leopardstown last time. Should go well back in trip.

Form: 03373-5

Forecasts

St Patrick's Day (11/8), So Beloved (5/2), Larchmont Lad (4/1), Hence (9/1), Smash Williams (12/1), Mamba Noire (25/1), Fas (40/1)

ST PATRICK'S DAY arrives with a different profile to many of his rivals here and he may have needed the run on debut for this yard last time. The full-brother to American Pharoah is taken to get the better of So Beloved who brings the highest official rating in to the race. David O'Meara has enjoyed some success with the runners he's sent over to Ireland and while this gelding hasn't won for some time, his effort last time out was promising enough. Larchmont Lad is a consistent sort who should give his running again.