Tattersalls Gold Cup (Group 1)

Off time: 15:50 | Winning time: 2m 13.85s

(4)

Flag Of Honour²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: D O'Brien| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 117| C

4/1

Has won three Group races around here, most notably the Irish St Leger last year. Has finished in behind Magical on his last couple of starts though and hard to see him reversing the form with that rival over this trip.

Form: 1145-22

(3)

Mustajeer^h²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: Colin Keane| T: G M Lyons| OR: 108| D

16/1

Useful at Listed/Group 3 level, as seen last tie out when runner-up at Navan but hard to see him playing a part at this level. Better over a little further than this and others make more appeal.

Form: 2441-72

(5)

Verbal Dexterity¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: K J Manning| T: J S Bolger| OR: 105| C

18/1

Group 1 winner here (7f) as a juvenile but hasn't managed to win since. Posted a respectable effort at Leopardstown last time out but step back up in trip isn't sure to suit.

Form: 4/476-52

(2)

Zihba^t1¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: Chris Hayes| T: J A Stack| OR: 104

33/1

Won each of his first three starts including a Group 3 at Leopardstown. Hasn't won since though and has plenty to prove in what will be his toughest test to date. Wears first-time tongue-tie.

Form: 1868-23

(1)

Magical²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 122| CD

2/7

Won a Group 1 on Champions' Day at Ascot in October and only narrowly denied in the Breeders' Cup by star mare Enable next time out. Has won three Group 2 races around here and hard to beat if she's at her best.

Form: 4012-11

Forecasts

Magical (2/7), Flag Of Honour (4/1), Mustajeer (16/1), Verbal Dexterity (18/1), Zihba (33/1)

It's hard to oppose MAGICAL given the form she's been in since landing her first Group 1 race in October and she can add to her tally and give Aidan O'Brien his fifth renewal of this in the last 10 years. Stablemate Flag Of Honour has finished in behind the filly on his most recent starts and can fill the runner-up spot again here. Of the remainder, Mustajeer probably arrives in the best form and may be able to get the better of Verbal Dexterity and Zibha.