16:15 Curragh

Sunday 16 September 2018

All14:0014:3515:0515:4016:1516:5017:2518:00

Goffs Vincent O'Brien National Stakes (Group 1)

Off time: 16:16 | Winning time: 1m 24.81s

(5)

Anthony Van Dyck²¹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 110| CD

6/4

Very impressive when winning a Group 2 over C&D last time and while he's expected to be thereabouts here, his pedigree suggests he's probably going to be better over further. Will be doing all his best work in the finish.

Form: 7111

(2)

Christmas²¹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: E J McNamara| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 108| D

9/1

Only narrowly run out of things by Anthony Van Dyck when runner-up in a C&D Group 2 here last time. Slightly more exposed than that rival and it might be seen to better effect on faster ground than he will get here.

Form: 02112

(6)

Highland Fortune^b1³⁷

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: W J Lee| T: J A Stack| OR: 100| D

25/1

Improved from debut to win at Leopardstown but finished behind Christmas at Tipperary last time in Listed company and plenty more needed. Wears first-time blinkers.

Form: 6142

(3)

Land Force²⁸

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: D O'Brien| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 109| C

8/1

Impressive when winning a Group 2 at Goodwood and had excuses last time at Deauville when a little outpaced and bumped at the start. Should appreciate the step up in trip and can't be ruled out.

Form: 133114

(4)

Mohawk²¹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: J A Heffernan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 103| D

16/1

Improved from debut to justify favouritism in a Cork maiden in June. Shaped like a step up in trip was needed when third behind his reopposing stablemates last time in a Group 2 and may do better when tried over further.

Form: 513

(7)

Quorto⁶⁴

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| OR: 115| D

11/8

Unbeaten in two starts and couldn't have been more impressive when winning a Group 2 at Newmarket last time, bursting clear. Has bags of speed and should be hard to beat provided he doesn't get caught out by the ground.

Form: 11

(1)

Wargrave³⁷

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: Chris Hayes| T: J A Stack| OR: 97

50/1

Improving with each start but finished behind a couple of these in Listed class last time and has a fair chunk of improvement to find here.

Form: 323

Forecasts

Quorto (11/8), Anthony Van Dyck (6/4), Land Force (8/1), Christmas (9/1), Mohawk (16/1), Highland Fortune (25/1), Wargrave (50/1)

QUORTO was visually very impressive at Newmarket last time and he's expected to be hard to beat here, with many of his rivals likely to benefit from a step up in trip. Anthony Van Dyck is one of those and it's likely significant he's the pick of Ryan Moore. Land Force should appreciate the step up to this trip.