15:45 Curragh

Friday 28 June 2019

All15:1515:4516:1516:5017:2517:5518:25

Comer Group International Curragh Cup (Group 2)

Off time: 15:52 | Winning time: 3m 3.83s

(6)

Latrobe¹⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: D O'Brien| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 112| C

5/2

Improved from maiden company to win the Irish Derby last year but starting to look a little flattered by that. Latest 2½L fourth to Addeybb at Royal Ascot a better indicator of his current merit, and claims with a repeat if staying longer trip.

Form: 220-344

(4)

Mustajeer^h³³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-11| J: Colin Keane| T: G M Lyons| OR: 108

14/1

Beaten a neck by Master of Reality in the Vintage Crop Stakes at Navan over this trip, and better judged on that run than latest well-beaten third of 5 to Magical in Tattersalls Gold Cup here. Not out of this by any means.

Form: 441-723

(3)

Raa Atoll²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: L Dettori| T: L Comer| OR: 110

14/1

Beat Thomas Hobson to land a German Group 2 in May on debut for current yard (and race sponsor), and not disgraced when sixth of 8 to Amade in Grade 2 Belmont Gold Cup last time. Isn't taken lightly in a trappy contest.

Form: 1147-16

(9)

Southern France⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 113

15/8

Highly tried since Listed win at Navan at the start of last year. Runner-up to Stradivarius in Yorkshire Cup on return, and found trip too sharp when down the field in the Hardwicke Stakes at Ascot on Saturday.Return to 1¾m gives him every chance.

Form: 437-326

(8)

The King^t²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: Shane Foley| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 110| BF

12/1

Smart performer on balance of form, but his only career win to date came in maiden company, and is frustrating to follow. Below form when fourth of 6 to Guaranteed in listed race over 1¼m here last time, and this is harder.

Form: 3432-34

(7)

Twilight Payment^p⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-11| J: K J Manning| T: J S Bolger| OR: 109| C| D

7/1

Stays this trip well, and built on some creditable efforts when winning Saval Beg Levmoss Stakes last time (twice runner-up in same event). Reliable sort will give his running, but needs to raise his game a little more unless others falter.

Form: 423-241

(1)

Cimeara⁶¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: S M Crosse| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 102| D

25/1

Won a listed race at Cork on her return, but only seventh of 9 to Master of Reality in Vintage Crop Stakes at Navan last time, and has something to find even if back to her best here.

Form: 5211-17

(5)

Masaff⁴¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: Chris Hayes| T: D K Weld| OR: 105| BF

10/1

Twice placed in Group races at Leopardstown after debut win last year, and ran well enough when third of 5 to Western Australia in a 1m5f Listed race at Navan on his return. Needs to improve markedly, but that's not impossible.

Form: 132-3

(2)

Western Australia⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: Seamie Heffernan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 105

10/1

Maiden winner at Gowran as a juvenile and back in the winners' enclosure when stepped up markedly in trip at Navan to beat Masaff. Didn't do much for that form when well held in the Queen's Vase at Ascot, however.

Form: 43-2510

(10)

Heaven On Earth⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-7| J: Wayne Lordan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 81

50/1

Best effort in maidens when winning over 1m3f at Limerick last time by 2¼L from Lady Olenna. Better to come from her, but this represents a massive step up in class.

Form: 051

Forecasts

Southern France (15/8), Latrobe (5/2), Twilight Payment (7/1), Masaff (10/1), Western Australia (10/1), The King (12/1), Raa Atoll (14/1), Mustajeer (14/1), Cimeara (25/1), Heaven On Earth (50/1)

He may have struggled in a tactically-run Hardwicke Stakes at Ascot, but SOUTHERN FRANCE is still the pick on his second to Stradivarius over this trip in the Yorkshire Cup, and he should bounce back in this weaker race. Latrobe would be a danger if finding the form which saw him finish second in the Irish St Leger over C&D, while Masaff was third to Madhmoon and Broome as a juvenile, and should improve for his return behind Western Australia at Navan.