16:10 Curragh

Sunday 15 September 2019

All13:2013:5514:2515:0015:3516:1016:5017:2518:00

Comer Group International Irish St. Leger (Group 1)

Off time: 16:11 | Winning time: 3m 3.24s

(6)

Capri³⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: P B Beggy| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 111| BF| C

20/1

St Leger winner in 2017, and fifth in the Arc last year, but he's not been at his best this season, and latest fourth of 6 to Southern France in the C&D trial last month suggests he's vulnerable again.

Form: 40-5364

(7)

Cross Counter⁴⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| OR: 118

6/4

Melbourne Cup winner who landed Dubai Gold Cup in March. Not beaten far behind Stradivarius in Gold Cup at Ascot or Goodwood Cup, and will probably be better suited by dropping back to this sort of trip. Every chance if that is the case.

Form: 121-143

(1)

Cypress Creek^b1⁸⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: E J McNamara| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 103

100/1

Beaten out of sight in all three starts this year, and if he has a role here, it will be in setting things up for stable companions.

Form: 616-590

(9)

Kew Gardens¹⁰⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 119| D

7/2

Won the St Leger last year, and improved on a laboured return at Chester when second behind Defoe in the Coronation Cup at Epsom last time, looking the likeliest winner for most of the way. Clearly as good as ever, and solid claims if ready to go.

Form: 1317-22

(2)

Latrobe³⁸

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

7/1

2018 Irish Derby winner who has been consistent this year, finishing second in the Curragh Cup before winning the Ballyroan Stakes at Leopardstown last month. Needs others to falter if he's to win here, though.

Form: 0-34421

(3)

Master Of Reality³⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Andrea Atzeni| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 118| D

14/1

Just touched off for second in the Gold cup at Ascot, but that effort is a bit of a standout, and he was just a respectable third to Southern France in the Irish St Leger Trial over C&D last month. My do better granted a strong gallop.

Form: 50-1433

(10)

Salouen⁵⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: Jim Crowley| T: S Kirk| OR: 115

14/1

Won a listed race at Ascot on his return, and similar form when in the frame in the Coronation Cup and King George subsequently. Won't be disgraced, but regularly falls short at the top level.

Form: 69-1374

(5)

Southern France³⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: J A Heffernan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 113| CD

9/1

Best effort when close second to Stradivarius in the Yorkshire Cup in May, and back to form when landing the G3 St Leger Trial here last month, but he has looked vulnerable otherwise this season, and a place is probably the best he can hope for.

Form: 326441

(4)

Twilight Payment^p⁷⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: K J Manning| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 113| CD

14/1

Reliable sort over the years for Jim Bolger, and as good as ever when landing the Curragh Cup over C&D last time, beating Latrobe and Southern France. Has since changed stables, and has place claims if repeating that effort.

Form: 23-2411

(8)

Search For A Song²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: Chris Hayes| T: D K Weld| OR: 105| BF

10/1

Has improved by the run since debut at the end of May, and landed the Listed Galtres Stakes at York (1½m) on her latest start. Has plenty to find up in class, but is progressing all the time and in shrewd hands.

Form: 1241

Forecasts

Cross Counter (6/4), Kew Gardens (7/2), Latrobe (7/1), Southern France (9/1), Search For A Song (10/1), Master Of Reality (14/1), Twilight Payment (14/1), Salouen (14/1), Capri (20/1), Cypress Creek (100/1)

Cross Counter and KEW GARDENS are very closely matched on their form from last year, although the latter was conceding a penalty when beaten by the Godolphin colt at York last August. Both have maintained their form since, and Kew Gardens may just have the edge after going agonisingly close in the Coronation Cup when last seen. Salouen may prove best of the others, many of whom are closely matched.