15:00 Curragh

Saturday 25 May 2019

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:20

Weatherbys Ireland Greenlands Stakes (Group 2)

Off time: 15:00 | Winning time: 1m 11.51s

(5)

Ardhoomey^t²⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 9-3| J: Colin Keane| T: G M Lyons| OR: 106| C| D

10/1

Has five wins on turf including a Group 2 success at this venue over the minimum trip. May have needed his return run in Listed company but seen at his best with some cut in the ground.

Form: 16332-4

(7)

Chessman⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: O J Orr| T: R O'Brien| OR: 102

5/1

Hasn't won since his debut success at Kempton when trained by John Gosden. Running well in defeat in Listed class of late but needs more up in class here.

Form: 00P-622

(3)

Gobi Desert⁵⁹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Billy Lee| T: P Twomey| OR: 97| C| D

8/1

Has won two of his three starts, a course success on debut and most notably a Listed success at Navan last time. Has more on his plate here but less exposed than most and may be capable of better.

Form: 121/

(6)

Gordon Lord Byron¹⁵

Age: 11| Weight: 9-3| J: Chris Hayes| T: T Hogan| OR: 104| CD

20/1

A grand servant who has won a host of Group races in his time including a Group 1 success at Longchamp. Hasn't won since winning this race in 2017 though and looks vulnerable to more progressive types.

Form: 4479-04

(2)

Mr Lupton²³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: J P Spencer| T: R A Fahey| OR: 110| BF| D

5/1

Has seven career wins including a Group 3 success at Newbury towards the end of last season. Versatile with regards ground and goes well fresh (yet to finish out the first three on seasonal reappearance) so not one to rule out in this contest.

Form: 149712-

(9)

Smash Williams^t⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: K J Manning| T: J S Bolger| OR: 105| CD

9/2

Won twice over C&D at the start of his career including a Group 3 success and belatedly got his head back in front at Leopardstown towards the end of last year. Running okay in defeat in two outings this year but has more on his plate here.

Form: 2231-34

(4)

Speak In Colours^t²¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: D O'Brien| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 111| CD

4/1

C&D Group 3 winner here in August but struggled in Group 1 company at both Haydock and Ascot. Still low mileage and this is a fair drop in class so may do better this campaign; leading player.

Form: 230170-

(8)

St Patrick's Day^t²²³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 100| D

8/1

Hasn't won since he switched from Bob Baffert's stable in the US. Went close in a Group 3 at Naas last year but not the most consistent type and probably best watched on seasonal return here.

Form: 358020-

(1)

Urban Beat²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Shane Foley| T: J P Murtagh| OR: 102| CD

8/1

Has won four of his seven starts and career best when landing a Listed race at Naas last month. Didn't look like he had much left in the tank that day though and will need a bigger effort to beat these rivals.

Form: 1110-41

Forecasts

Speak In Colours (4/1), Smash Williams (9/2), Mr Lupton (5/1), Chessman (5/1), Urban Beat (8/1), Gobi Desert (8/1), St Patrick's Day (8/1), Ardhoomey (10/1), Gordon Lord Byron (20/1)

SPEAK IN COLOURS is an exciting four-year-old sprinter to follow this year and he looks sure to appreciate this drop in class. Mr Lupton is a danger and capable at this level but Gobi Desert might be the main danger with a less exposed profile than his rivals, making just his fourth start here.