19:00 Leopardstown

Thursday 15 August 2019

All16:5017:2518:0018:3019:0019:3520:05

Invesco Pension Consultants Desmond Stakes (Group 3)

Off time: 19:02 | Winning time: 1m 42.01s

(7)

Ancient Spirit^p²⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-7| J: K J Manning| T: J S Bolger| OR: 110| D

8/1

Group 2 winner in Germany last year before switching to Australia. Respectable third in 1m1f Group 3 here on Irish debut while doing too much too soon. This trip should suit and entitled to improve.

Form: 613-803

(6)

Pincheck²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-7| J: S Foley| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 108| CD

9/1

Winner of this race last year. Failed to improve on encouraging seasonal debut at the Curragh when fifth in Group 3 Meld Stakes here last time out. Work to do with Ancient Spirit on that form.

Form: 38-6035

(5)

I Am Superman²²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: L F Roche| T: M O'Callaghan| OR: 107| C| D

5/1

Impressive winner of two handicaps at this track and Naas at the start of the season before tackling elite company. Welcome the ease in class with impressive victory in 1m Naas contest last time. Case can be for.

Form: 115601

(4)

Madhmoon⁴⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Chris Hayes| T: K Prendergast| OR: 117| CD

4/7

Impressive Group 2 winner over C&D as a juvenile. Not disgraced in the 2000 Guineas in may before narrow defeat in the Epsom Derby. Given too much to do in the Irish Derby last time but top-class form makes him the one to beat.

Form: 11-2424

(2)

Turnberry Isle¹¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: D O'Brien| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 100| D

12/1

Winner at Ballinrobe in July before two contrasting efforts at the Galway festival, including respectable fourth in competitive 7f handicap at the start of the month. Work to do to strike at this level but looks stable's first choice.

Form: 561104

(3)

Zuenoon^p⁴⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: O J Orr| T: D K Weld| OR: 100| D

25/1

failed to register a win this season but put in an improved performance last time with 1L defeat in 1m Curragh Listed contest. Each-way claims if replicating that effort.

Form: 11-0534

(1)

I Remember You¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: J A Heffernan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 97| C

33/1

2L fourth in 7f Group 3 at Fairyhouse on penultimate start but beaten fair and square in 7f Galway Listed contest on last start. Stable second string.

Form: 946748

Forecasts

Madhmoon (4/7), I Am Superman (5/1), Ancient Spirit (8/1), Pincheck (9/1), Turnberry Isle (12/1), Zuenoon (25/1), I Remember You (33/1)

MADHMOON can be forgiven for his effort in the Irish Derby in June when the winner stole the race, and on the evidence of his top-class form in the 2000 Guineas and the Espom Derby plus the drop in trip, he should take this race in his stride on his way to loftier targets in the autumn. There is a risk that he may not be fully wound up for this contest and if not, I Am Superman is still improving and looks to be a Group race performer in the making, while Ancient Spirit is proven at this level and higher so would be dangerous to ignore.