14:55 Curragh

Sunday 22 July 2018

All13:4514:2014:5515:3016:0516:4017:1517:50

Sapphire Stakes (Group 2)

Off time: 14:56 | Winning time: 58.21s

(6)

Caspian Prince^t²²

Age: 9| Weight: 9-7| J: Colin Keane| T: M Appleby| OR: 114| CD

5/2

Ran a remarkable race off top-weight in a C&D handicap last time out. Well worth another crack at this level and seemingly improving since joining this yard. Gets the Champion Jockey in the saddle and ought to go close.

Form: 066012

(7)

Washington Dc^b,t³³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: D O'Brien| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 111| C| D

7/2

Inconsistent performer. Ran well over this trip at Haydock two starts back but didn't back that up at Royal Ascot last time. Probably a bit better over 6f, as seen when winning a Group 3 here last year and others preferred.

Form: 78-4328

(1)

Gorane⁴⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Declan McDonogh| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 100| D

20/1

Listed winner at Tipperary last year but has plenty to find at this level and her better efforts have come on softer ground.

Form: 717-222

(4)

Mabs Cross³³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: T Eaves| T: M Dods| OR: 110| D

2/1

Looks highly progressive this year and ran a huge race at Royal Ascot in the Group 1 King's Stand when third of 14 last time. Sure to appreciate the drop in class here and it's likely we've still not seen the best of her; ought to be right there.

Form: 11-2143

(3)

Battle Of Jericho^t²²

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

7/1

C&D winner last time out when narrowly getting the better of Caspian Prince in a valuable handicap but likely he will struggle to confirm that form now he's 11lb worse off at the weights.

Form: 127-101

(5)

Declarationofpeace^b1,t³³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Seamie Heffernan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 103| D

33/1

Struggling of late and virtually tailed off in the King's Stand last time out. Down the order on jockey bookings here and needs a first-time visor to work wonders if he's to get involved here.

Form: 7131-00

(2)

Havana Grey⁵⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: P J McDonald| T: K R Burke| OR: 111| D

10/1

Very impressive juvenile who placed in Group 1 class last year. Hasn't managed to replicate that form in two starts this year though and finished behind a couple of these in the Temple Stakes when last seen; bit to prove at present.

Form: 1122-56

Forecasts

Mabs Cross (2/1), Caspian Prince (5/2), Washington Dc (7/2), Battle Of Jericho (7/1), Havana Grey (10/1), Gorane (20/1), Declarationofpeace (33/1)

The English raider CASPIAN PRINCE was unlucky last time out when narrowly touched off by Battle Of Jericho in a course and distance handicap and with a big pull in the weights here, he's taken to reverse that form and he will be hard to catch from the front. Mabs Cross is a progressive filly who ran a big race in the King's Stand last time and if she can reproduce that run she will be the main danger to the selection.