19:10 Curragh

Friday 23 August 2019

All17:1017:4018:1018:4019:1019:4020:10

Galileo Irish EBF Futurity Stakes (Group 2)

Off time: 19:12 | Winning time: -

(4)

Armory²⁹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 108| CD

4/6

Behind Justifier on debut at Leopardstown in June, has since gained decisive wins over C&D and when easily dismissing stablemate Toronto in Group 3 Tyros Stakes at Leopardstown last month. Improving all the time, big player.

Form: 311

(9)

Geometrical⁹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: K J Manning| T: J S Bolger

14/1

Colt by Dawn Approach, runner-up finish behind Harpocrates on second start at Naas (6f, good) reads well and has since dotted up in a 1m Gowran Park maiden. Faces toughest exam to date.

Form: 021

(2)

Iberia³⁴

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: D O'Brien| T: A P O'Brien| CD

4/1

Galileo colt, brother to multiple winners. Won a C&D maiden on debut last month, fourth has won since and runs in previous Fillies' Group 2 on this card. Represents top trainer and could improve significantly.

Form: 1

(8)

Jungle Cove³⁴

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: Shane Foley| T: Mrs J Harrington

25/1

Mastercraftsman colt, cost 70,000 gns, already finished behind likes of Armory (third) and Iberia (second) in C&D maidens this summer. Unlikely to reverse form with both on balance.

Form: 6532

(6)

Justifier^t¹²

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: Colin Keane| T: G M Lyons| D

11/2

Confirmed promise of debut win when holding off Ballydoyle's Harpocrates to win 7½f Tipperary Listed race this month, form boosted by runner-up at York this week. No fluke in that win and major contender.

Form: 11

(3)

Rebel Tale¹²

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: Ben Coen| T: A Slattery| OR: 88

50/1

Speedy type, well-held third behind Justifier this month at Tipperary over slightly further. Doesn't appeal as being likely to turn things around.

Form: 4133

(5)

Roman Turbo³⁴

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: Ronan Whelan| T: M Halford| OR: 100| C

9/1

Well-related son of Holy Roman Emperor is 2-2, backing up 6f maiden win here with Group 3 Anglesey Stakes success (Soul Search third, runs previous race). Has to rate a leading factor upped in journey.

Form: 11

(1)

Toronto²⁹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: Seamie Heffernan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 97

20/1

Half-brother to the brilliant miler Canford Cliffs, he landed a mile maiden at Leopardstown on second start but has since been put in his place by stablemate Armory. Capable of better, he's one of four for the trainer in this line-up.

Form: 512

Non-Runners

(7)

Lope Y Fernandez²⁴

Weight: 9-3| Age: 2

T: A P O'Brien J: Seamie Heffernan

Forecasts

Armory (4/6), Iberia (4/1), Justifier (11/2), Lope Y Fernandez (13/2), Roman Turbo (9/1), Geometrical (14/1), Toronto (20/1), Jungle Cove (25/1), Rebel Tale (50/1)

Aidan O'Brien has taken five of the last six renewals of this Group 2 event and launches a four-pronged attack led by Armory, who has improved with each run, landing the Tyros Stakes in good style at Leopardstown last month by 5L from stablemate Toronto. He was though beaten earlier this term by JUSTIFIER and Ger Lyons' colt stepped up on that to land a Listed event at Tipperary since, form that has been well advertised at York this week. There's more to come and he can maintain his unbeaten record. Ballydoyle's Lope Y Fernandez will be glad to see no Pinatubo in the line-up and could improve again alongside Roman Turbo, winner of a Group 3 last time out.