Comer Group International Amethyst Stakes (Group 3)

Off time: 14:15 | Winning time: 1m 42.12s

(6)

Hazapour²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: O J Orr| T: D K Weld| OR: 110| C| D

2/1

Won the Derby Trial at Leopardstown before a respectable fifth in the main event at Epsom. Beaten favourite down to this class on his final start of 2018 and returned down the field at Naas when in need of the run. Should be spot on down in trip.

Form: 13/153-5

(3)

Psychedelic Funk¹⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: Colin Keane| T: G M Lyons| OR: 106| D

9/1

Resumed 2018 to win the Gladness Stakes making it back-to-back Group 3 wins in very testing ground but only one more run when disappointing in October. Has had two runs back running a bit below his best and likely needs more rain in this company.

Form: 31/19-73

(4)

Verbal Dexterity³⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: K J Manning| T: J S Bolger| OR: 106| BF

7/2

Group One National Stakes winner at two ran sparingly and without success at three although last two runs in Irish and English Champion Stakes. Resumed with a below par Listed fifth and could be fitter although is another who would like more rain.

Form: 14/476-5

(1)

Zihba³⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Chris Hayes| T: J A Stack| OR: 104| CD

9/4

Winner of his first three, the third in last year's renewal of this.. A touch below that when well tried on next three starts although quick ground may have counted against him twice. Back to his best resuming with a Listed second over the C&D.

Form: 11868-2

(2)

Dunkirk Harbour^b¹⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: Seamie Heffernan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 89| D

8/1

Declaration of War colt out of a US maiden, and cost $185,000 as a yearling. Left his previous maiden form behind with a dominant success in a weak contest over this trip at Dundalk in first-time blinkers. Hard to evaluate and this is a big step up.

Form: 07-321

(5)

Zuenoon^p1¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: C P Hoban| T: D K Weld| OR: 95| D

16/1

Havana Gold colt out of a Dalakhani mare. Won two out of three last term but was slowly away and well held on handicap and season debut at Naas. This looks a big ask. Stable also runs Hazapour and won this four times between 2010 and 2014.

Form: 411-0

Forecasts

Hazapour (2/1), Zihba (9/4), Verbal Dexterity (7/2), Dunkirk Harbour (8/1), Psychedelic Funk (9/1), Zuenoon (16/1)

HAZAPOUR hasn't hit the heights that his early talent suggested but he still won the Derby Trial here and travelled well for a long way before struggling up the hill at Epsom. He didn't look fully fit on his return and with plenty of prominent racers in a small field and the presence of his likely front-running stablemate Zuenoon, then a strongly run mile could be ideal. Last year's winner Zihba is the danger with his overall profile suggesting a bit of give is ideal while the classy pair Verbal Dexterity and Psychedelic Funk can go well but would prefer a heavy surface. Dunkirk Harbour takes a huge step up from a maiden win but represents powerful connections.