16:10 Curragh

Sunday 12 August 2018

All13:5514:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:15

Qatar Racing & Equestrian Club Phoenix Sprint Stakes (Group 3)

Off time: 16:10 | Winning time: 1m 10.63s

(4)

Gordon Lord Byron⁴³

Age: 10| Weight: 9-7| J: W J Lee| T: T Hogan| OR: 108| CD

8/1

Grand campaigner who was third in this event last year, and good effort when fifth at Newmarket in April behind Brando. Not at best since, though, and could do with rain materialising.

Form: 365-555

(1)

Mr Scarlet^p1⁴³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Robbie Colgan| T: S Lavery| OR: 100

25/1

Fifth in Commonwealth Cup in 2017, and better effort this season when sixth in a C&D listed event in June, although held by Smash Williams and Gordon Lord Byron on that form, and cheekpieces reached for now.

Form: 5920-76

(6)

Smash Williams^t²²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: K J Manning| T: J S Bolger| OR: 104| CD

8/1

Won Group 3 over C&D as a juvenile, and has found some consistency this season, albeit coming up a bit short in stakes company. Place claims on balance of form, but opposable for win purposes.

Form: 835244

(5)

Son Of Rest^b⁵⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: Chris Hayes| T: J A Stack| OR: 102| BF| C

16/1

Best form on very testing ground, and runner-up at Navan in the mud in April. Below that form on quicker ground since, and needs the heavens to open if he's to have a chance in this.

Form: 32-5274

(8)

Spirit of Valor^b,t¹²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 111| C| D

6/4

Best effort this season when runner-up in Group 2 Greenlands Stakes over C&D in May, and not disgraced in face of stiffer tasks since. This looks a good opportunity for him to get back to winning ways.

Form: 4-82886

(7)

Gorane²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-4| J: Declan McDonogh| T: H De Bromhead| OR: 102| D

5/1

Last three runs have come in black-type contests at this venue, and ran up to form when 2½L fifth of 7 to Havana Grey in Sapphire Stakes last time. This looks a little easier, and return to 6f should suit.

Form: 17-2225

(2)

Speak In Colours^t⁵¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: D O'Brien| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 104| D

4/1

Dual winner as a 2-y-o for Marco Botti, and produced a career-best effort when close third in Group 3 Lacken Stakes at Naas in May. Disappointed in Commonwealth Cup at Ascot last time, and needs to bounce back to have any chance here.

Form: 311-230

(3)

Now You're Talking¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Wayne Lordan| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 99

12/1

Returned with an easy win at Dundalk in March and placed in listed company before Royal Ascot flop. Back to form when fifth of 13 to Sometimesadiamond in listed race at Naas last time, but more required back up in class.

Form: 8-13405

Non-Runners

(9)

Urban Beat⁹²

Weight: 9-3| Age: 3

T: J P Murtagh J: N G McCullagh

Forecasts

Spirit of Valor (6/4), Speak In Colours (4/1), Gorane (5/1), Urban Beat (7/1), Gordon Lord Byron (8/1), Smash Williams (8/1), Now You're Talking (12/1), Son Of Rest (16/1), Mr Scarlet (25/1)

SPIRIT OF VALOR could do with beating Gorane to the punch early, as his best form is when leading, but he has the form to dominate these rivals, and looks the one to beat on balance. Smash Williams is consistent at this sort of level, and makes each-way appeal, with veteran Gordon Lord Byron coming into the equation if the ground eases.