19:20 Leopardstown

Thursday 16 August 2018

All17:1517:4518:1518:4519:2019:5020:20

Invesco Pension Consultants Desmond Stakes (Group 3)

Off time: 19:22 | Winning time: 1m 41.36s

(1)

Escobar¹³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: D Tudhope| T: D O'Meara| OR: 104| BF| D

7/2

Looked a little unlucky in the run at Glorious Goodwood last time and likely he's still progressing. Needs more up in this company but yard do well with the runners they send here and fast ground will suit.

Form: 031028

(6)

On The Go Again^t⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: Gary Carroll| T: M Mulvany| OR: 106| CD

16/1

Won twice last year but all his best form is on soft or heavy ground and he was disappointing at Cork last time out. Others preferred.

Form: 1-14137

(9)

Pincheck⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: C O'Donoghue| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 105| CD

10/1

Has improved since joining this yard and ran okay at Cork last time in Listed class. Best form is with cut in the ground but has won over C&D and he's not without place claims here.

Form: 14-4522

(4)

Xenobia³⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: W J Lee| T: W T Farrell| OR: 105| CD

10/1

Two-time course winner and consistent filly. Produced a career best to win a Group 3 at Fairyhouse last time and there was no fluke about that. Exciting prospect who should run well.

Form: 18-1251

(8)

Zorion⁴⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: K J Manning| T: J S Bolger| OR: 102| CD

16/1

A shade inconsistent but his best form has come at this course and he won a C&D Listed contest here in June. Not in the same form at the Curragh last time but a return to this course should suit.

Form: 371915

(2)

Zihba⁸²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Chris Hayes| T: J A Stack| OR: 108| CD

5/1

Won each of his first three starts including a Group 3 over C&D in May. Not seen to best effect in the Irish 2,000 Guineas last time but he's better than that and less exposed than most.

Form: 1-118

(5)

Masaarr^b1¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Colin Keane| T: R Varian| OR: 109| D

7/4

Rates as the type to carry on improving for this yard and produced a career best effort to win in Listed class in France last time out. First-time blinkers could see him in an even better light here.

Form: 314731

(3)

St Patrick's Day^b1,t²⁶

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

8/1

Full-brother to US Triple Crown winner American Pharoah and there's a fair chance this step up in trip could suit. Has disappointed in two start so far for this trainer but may do better here in first-time blinkers.

Form: 21-35

Non-Runners

(7)

Threeandfourpence¹³

Weight: 9-1| Age: 3

T: A P O'Brien J: J A Heffernan

Forecasts

Masaarr (7/4), Escobar (7/2), Zihba (5/1), St Patrick's Day (8/1), Threeandfourpence (8/1), Pincheck (10/1), Xenobia (10/1), Zorion (16/1), On The Go Again (16/1)

The Classic generation looks strong here and MASAARR gets the vote in first-time headgear after the colt's display in Listed class at Deauville when last seen. It's likely we haven't seen the best of St Patrick's Day just yet and he's another who gets first-time blinkers here while Zihba was unbeaten in three starts before his run in the Irish Guineas at the Curragh and he can resume progress here.