16:10 Curragh

Sunday 12 August 2018

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

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

  • 3YO plus  |   Class 1  |   6f  |   Good  |   8 Runners  |   Turf  |   Weighed In
  • Off time: 16:10  |   Winning time: 1m 10.63s
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Cloth number
Odds
Horse A-Z
1
(4)
Horse silk
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.
2
(1)
Horse silk
Mr Scarletp143
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.
3
(6)
Horse silk
Smash Williamst22
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.
4
(5)
Horse silk
Son Of Restb55
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.
5
(8)
Horse silk
Spirit of Valorb,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.
6
(7)
Horse silk
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.
7
(2)
Horse silk
Speak In Colourst51
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.
9
(3)
Horse silk
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.

Non-Runners

8
(9)
Horse silk
Urban Beat92
Weight: 9-3|  Age: 3
T: J P Murtagh  J: N G McCullagh
NR

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)

Verdict

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.
  1. Spirit of Valor
  2. Smash Williams
  3. Gordon Lord Byron

Previous Winners

2017
Washington Dc
Weight: 9-7  |Age: 4
11/4

Prize Money

1st: €35,400.002nd: €11,399.003rd: €5,400.004th: €2,400.005th: €1,200.006th: €600.00

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