13:45 Curragh

Saturday 25 August 2018

All13:4514:2014:5515:2515:3016:0016:3517:10

Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden

Off time: 13:45 | Winning time: 1m 39.6s

(13)

Blenheim Palace¹⁹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-5| J: J A Heffernan| T: A P O'Brien

16/1

Son of Galileo is a full-brother to top class Churchill and Clemmie who both won Group One's at two. Disappointing debut when 11th of 18 over 7f here three weeks ago. Trainer's two-year-olds often make huge strides on second race so better expected.

Form: 0

(12)

Crimson King⁴⁹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-5| J: N G McCullagh| T: C O'Brien

50/1

32,000gns colt by Kingman was slowly away and never able to land a blow on debut over 7f at Naas. Bred for middle distances so extra furlong and experience should help but trainer 0-69 with two-year-olds on turf in the last five years.

Form: 9

(11)

Dingle Bay³⁷

Age: 2| Weight: 9-5| J: C O'Donoghue| T: Mrs J Harrington

16/1

Twice raced son of Alhebayeb finished sixth on debut at Cork before slight improvement latest when fourth (of 12) at Leopardstown after a two month break. Steps up 2f in trip now and will need that to bring improvement if he's to contend.

Form: 64

(14)

Fassbender

Age: 2| Weight: 9-5| J: Robbie Colgan| T: R P McNamara

66/1

Newcomer by Famous Name cost €15,000 as a yearling. Half-brother to three winners from a dam related to Derby winner Harzand. Trainer yet to have a two-year old winner this term so likely need the run.

Form:

(1)

Gee Rex³⁵

Age: 2| Weight: 9-5| J: Chris Hayes| T: J C Hayden| OR: 96

5/1

Highly-tried maiden who has raced at pattern level in his last three starts struggling in each. Finished strongly at Ascot and Curragh over sprint distances but pedigree lacking of stamina so step into the unknown here although big class drop.

Form: 5486

(10)

High Glory

Age: 2| Weight: 9-5| J: D W O'Connor⁽⁵⁾| T: J F Levins

66/1

€16,000 son of Olympic Glory from an unraced dam closely related to a flat and hurdle winner at up to 3m. Looks likely to need further and trainer 0-64 with juveniles in last five seasons.

Form:

(8)

Mount Everest¹⁴

Age: 2| Weight: 9-5| J: D O'Brien| T: A P O'Brien| BF

6/4

Exceptionally bred colt by Galileo out of outstanding triple Group-One winning Six Perfections. Showed enough potential on debut to go off at 4/9 latest at Cork (1m) but found a newcomer too good. Surely be a warm order again today.

Form: 62

(2)

Musalsal¹⁹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-5| J: Declan McDonogh| T: D K Weld

10/1

Shamardal colt is a half-brother to a Listed winner over this trip. Finished ninth of 18 on debut here over 7f showing some pace before fading. Should know more now so better can be expected and has each-way potential.

Form: 9

(6)

Pearl Warrior

Age: 2| Weight: 9-5| J: Shane Kelly⁽³⁾| T: J P Murtagh

20/1

11,000gns son of Dunaden is a half-brother to five winners at distances from 5f-1m2f and a 2m7f hurdle scorer. Trainer record of two from 57 with two-year-olds enough to suggest a watching brief.

Form:

(3)

Sevenaday³⁷

Age: 2| Weight: 9-5| J: Rory Cleary| T: M C Grassick

66/1

Gelded son of Charm Spirit showed little on debut when tailing in last of 12 at Leopardstown over 6f. Steps up in trip but no guarantee he stays and hard to recommend here.

Form: 0

(7)

Sovereign⁶⁵

Age: 2| Weight: 9-5| J: M C Hussey| T: A P O'Brien

10/1

Son of Galileo wasn't harshly treated on debut over 1m at Leopardstown back in June. Given time since so should improve as yard's two-year-olds tend too but very stout pedigree makes him look the sort to appeal more next season.

Form: 5

(4)

Vocal Manager

Age: 2| Weight: 9-5| J: K J Manning| T: J S Bolger

16/1

Unraced son of Vocalised out of a maiden who raced at up to 1m4f who is a half-sister to a 1m Group One winner. Trainer 10 per cent strike rate with two-year-olds so worth a market check.

Form:

(5)

Yonkers⁴¹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-5| J: Colin Keane| T: G M Lyons

5/1

Improved on midfield debut at Gowran latest when second albeit an 8L second at Killarney over 1m behind a subsequent Group-Three winner high up in the 2019 Derby betting. Should come on again for that run so merits respect here.

Form: 62

(9)

Bendzonic¹⁹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-0| J: K J Leonard⁽³⁾| T: D Hogan

50/1

Daughter of Helmet ran with some promise on debut over 7f here when a never nearer ninth (of 21). Should appreciate this extra furlong so has some each-way potential granted usual improvement from debut.

Form: 9

Non-Runners

(15)

Cosmic Horizon²²

Weight: 9-5| Age: 2

T: J P O'Brien J: S M Crosse

Forecasts

Mount Everest (6/4), Yonkers (5/1), Gee Rex (5/1), Cosmic Horizon (6/1), Sovereign (10/1), Musalsal (10/1), Blenheim Palace (16/1), Vocal Manager (16/1), Dingle Bay (16/1), Pearl Warrior (20/1), Crimson King (50/1), Bendzonic (50/1), Sevenaday (66/1), High Glory (66/1), Fassbender (66/1)

While it was disappointing that MOUNT EVEREST was beaten latest at long odds-on at Cork he is given a chance to make amends with that second still form as strong as anything and he could yet have more to come based on his pedigree. Cosmic Horizon is the most feared rival with Joseph O'Brien's colt looking like he would relish an extra furlong when staying on strongly at Galway last time out. Gee Rex has to be considered given that he hasn't been completely disgraced in Group Races and if he handles the step up in trip he surely must go close.