19:15 Dundalk

Friday 27 September 2019

All17:1517:4518:1518:4519:1519:4520:1520:45

Matthews.ie Diamond Stakes (Group 3)

Off time: 19:15 | Winning time: 2m 12.97s

(7)

Massif Central^t1¹²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: Ronan Whelan| T: M Halford| OR: 101| CD

14/1

Aside from his last two runs, he had been running very consistently in valuable handicaps and Listed races this summer; ran well in this race last year and has chances if bouncing back from recent setbacks.

Form: 324250

(8)

Mootasadir²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Colin Keane| T: H Palmer| OR: 109| CD

4/6

Slightly disappointing when stepped up in trip and class in May/June this season but returned to form last time out at Kempton over 1m4f; won this race last year and another bold bid expected.

Form: 116702

(1)

Antilles¹²

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

10/1

Struggled to make a mark in valuable handicaps in the spring and early summer and no show on recent return run at the Curragh; certainly has a ability but still has only one win to his name.

Form: 204070

(6)

Blenheim Palace^b¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: D O'Brien| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 109

5/1

Out of his depth in two Group 1 appearances this summer but has run some sound races in defeat at this level including last time out at Leopardstown (1m4f). One for the shorlist.

Form: 020423

(4)

Numerian¹²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Declan McDonogh| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 104| BF| C

5/1

Entitled to take this step up in class following a fine effort in defeat last time out at The Curragh (1m2f); has improved with every race this season and looks to be one of the leading contenders.

Form: 135632

(3)

Altair^b1³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: S M Crosse| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 90| C

40/1

Won her maiden here in January and followed up with a conditions race win at Gowran Park in May; has struggled on her latest two starts (Group 2 at Ascot and handicap at The Curragh); something to prove in this company.

Form: 15109

(2)

Fresnel²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Gary Halpin| T: J Davison| OR: 99| C

12/1

Just one maiden win to her name but has been far from disgraced in Listed and Group company since that win; likely to run her race but also likely to find one or two too good for her.

Form: 544764

(5)

Harriet's Force²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Robbie Colgan| T: K H Clarke| OR: 96| C

40/1

Comfortably won a maiden here last October over a mile and while generally running her race around this level does not jump out as an obvious winner here.

Form: 1-99386

Forecasts

Mootasadir (4/6), Blenheim Palace (5/1), Numerian (5/1), Antilles (10/1), Fresnel (12/1), Massif Central (14/1), Harriet's Force (40/1), Altair (40/1)

NUMERIAN can take advantage of the race conditions to pick up some valuable black type for connections who have patiently watched this colt improve all season culminating in his best effort last time out at The Curragh over 1m2f. Last season's winner Mootasadir showed his well-being with an excellent effort at Kempton last time out over 1m4f. This step back in trip will hold no fears and he can be expected to give a good showing. Aiden O'Brien has won this race five times in the past ten years and he sends out Antilles and Blenheim Palace. The latter is probably the form pick of the two and may relish this step back in class after struggling in much better grade.