17:20 Curragh

Friday 30 August 2019

All16:2016:5017:2017:5018:2018:5019:2019:50

Round Tower Stakes (Group 3)

Off time: 17:20 | Winning time: 1m 12.76s

(8)

Air Force Jet¹⁴

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: S M Crosse| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 99

33/1

Beat Windsor Castle Stakes winner Southern Hills at Navan in June, but hasn't really gone on, and while not disgraced in the Molecomb Stakes at Goodwood, he ran badly in a 5f Listed race here a fortnight ago. Something to prove now.

Form: 210276

(3)

Arranmore¹³

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

7/1

Runner-up on first two outings in maidens, and didn't have to improve when off the mark over 6f at Cork last time, making all. Plenty more needed to win at this level, but disappointing if he can't progress.

Form: 221

(5)

Fort Myers⁶²

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: D O'Brien| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 103| D

6/1

Disappointed in the Railway Stakes here last time, but his previous fourth in the Coventry Stakes has been well-advertised since, and he is worth another chance to build on that pleasing effort.

Form: 1243

(9)

Guildsman²⁹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: O Murphy| T: A Watson| OR: 105| D

5/1

Had excuses (slowly away and short of room) for a poor run in the Richmond Stakes at Goodwood, and had previously finished 1L ahead of Fort Myers when third to Arizona in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot. Claims if he can rediscover that spark.

Form: 1340

(2)

Lope Y Fernandez³¹

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

11/8

Has run into the irresistible force that is Pinatubo on both starts since an impressive debut win over 7f here in June. Better than his margin of defeat would suggest last time, and leading claims if coping with this drop in trip.

Form: 123

(14)

Mount Fuji²¹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: Wayne Lordan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 96

16/1

Standout effort when beaten only 1¼L in the Anglesey Stakes here, but probably flattered by his proximity after making his own running, and readily put in his place in the G1 Phoenix Stakes here last time.

Form: 1054

(6)

Prince Of Naples^t1²⁵

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: Robbie Colgan| T: S Lavery| OR: 83| D

33/1

Winner of a maiden race at Fairyhouse in July, but well beaten at Naas last time in slightly better company, and makes scant appeal up in class, even if a tongue tie proves beneficial.

Form: 53317

(12)

Ventura Lightning¹³

Age: 2| Weight: 9-3| J: T Hamilton| T: R A Fahey| OR: 90| D

14/1

Unbeaten in two starts, following his debut win over 5f at Thirsk when beating a good yardstick in the shape of Eton College at Ripon last time. Much more needed at this level, but he's clearly going the right way, and folly to dismiss entirely.

Form: 11

(10)

Zarzyni³⁶

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

16/1

Impressive winner on debut at Gowran in June, and unsuited by small field and steady tempo when only third in the Tyros Stakes at Leopardstown next time. Raced freely there, and may do better dropped in trip, with a strong pace expected.

Form: 13

(1)

Back To Brussels⁷⁰

Age: 2| Weight: 9-0| J: Chris Hayes| T: J A Stack| OR: 87

25/1

Won on debut at Navan and not disgraced when fourth to Siskin in a very strong Listed event here next time. Only tenth of 25 in the Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot when last seen, albeit travelling well for a long way, and may yet do better.

Form: 140

(7)

Brunelle⁴³

Age: 2| Weight: 9-0| J: Colin Keane| T: G M Lyons| D

12/1

Homebred filly, conveniently retained for €800 at a NH sale last year, and justified market support on debut at Leopardstown (6f) last month. Will improve, although this represents a marked step up in class.

Form: 1

(4)

Cool Vixen⁴⁰

Age: 2| Weight: 9-0| J: Shane Foley| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 88| BF| D

20/1

Looked well above average when comfortably disposing of 14 rivals in a Naas maiden on racecourse bow last month, but couldn't justify favouritism in a C&D nursery next time. May be worth another try, as that debut form has worked out well.

Form: 14

Non-Runners

(11)

Johan Zoffani

Weight: 9-3| Age: 2

T: M O'Callaghan J: Gary Halpin

(13)

Celtic Beauty⁸

Weight: 9-0| Age: 2

T: K J Condon J: Billy Lee

Forecasts

Lope Y Fernandez (11/8), Guildsman (5/1), Fort Myers (6/1), Arranmore (7/1), Celtic Beauty (8/1), Brunelle (12/1), Ventura Lightning (14/1), Zarzyni (16/1), Mount Fuji (16/1), Cool Vixen (20/1), Back To Brussels (25/1), Prince Of Naples (33/1), Air Force Jet (33/1), Johan Zoffani (50/1)

GUILDSMAN was a fine third in the Coventry before everything went wrong for him at Goodwood, and he makes a little more appeal at this trip than Lope Y Fernandez, who is dropping back from seven furlongs. Fort Myers was a length behind the selection in the Coventry, and should be on the premises if excused a blip in the Railway Stakes here last time.