19:45 Curragh

Friday 12 June 2020

All16:0516:4017:1017:4018:1018:4019:1519:45

Coolmore Magna Grecia Irish EBF Mooresbridge Stakes (Group 2)

Off time: 19:50 | Winning time: 2m 14.01s

(7)

Guaranteed²⁷²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: K J Manning| T: J S Bolger| OR: 107| CD

22/1

Listed winner over 1m2f here last season and twice placed in Group 3s, inc ¾L second behind Latrobe at Leopardstown (1m4f, good to firm; 9-2) in August. Took a while to get going last season.

Form: 015236-

(5)

Latrobe²²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: Wayne Lordan| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 112| C

11/2

2018 Irish Derby winner, consistent last season inc second to Magical in four-runner renewal of this and 1m4f Group 3 win at Leopardstown from Guaranteed. Held in Melbourne Cup when last spotted and should be suited dropping in distance again.

Form: 442160-

(9)

Leo De Fury²⁵¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Shane Foley| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 107| CD

6/1

Won his maiden on debut last summer over similar trip here and progressed after, inc head-second in Group 2 Royal Whip (yielding to soft) here. More to come this season and represents trainer/jockey in flying form this week already.

Form: 118254-

(8)

Numerian⁸¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Declan McDonogh| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 104| D

9/1

Pleasing form last year included twice going close at this venue (1m/1m2f) in valuable handicaps; began new campaign with determined and ultimately decisive Listed win at Naas (1m2f, soft to heavy; 15-2) in March. More progress possible.

Form: 56322-1

(6)

Persian Lion¹³³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: K K Hennessy| T: Miss K Brown| OR: 72

400/1

Modest handicapper who was out of sorts on a trip to Lingfield (1m, AW; 16-1) in January and seemingly facing thankless task in this line-up on all know form.

Form: 99600-7

(1)

Effernock Fizz²⁰⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: Colin Keane| T: Miss K Brown| OR: 68

400/1

68-rated mare produced a big run from out of the handicap when going close over 1m4f (good to yielding; 33-1) here in August; well held since on Flat/AW/hurdles and looks to be facing a stiff task despite having Colin Keane for assistance.

Form: 052078-

(2)

Fleeting²³⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: Seamie Heffernan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 114

2/1

A source of some frustration last year as she failed to win in eight attempts, though she ran in strong races and four times ran well behind smart filly Star Catcher inc second in Irish Oaks here (1m4f, good). Big chance on form for top trainer.

Form: 224524-

(4)

Maria Christina^p1²²²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: R P Downey| T: D K Weld| OR: 73

150/1

Winner of a heavy-ground Naas maiden (1m4f; 9-2) on fourth start back in November. Cheekpieces are fitted on return and big ask, may be here as an aid for stablemate Search For A Song.

Form: 4/251-

(3)

Search For A Song²⁷¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: O J Orr| T: D K Weld| OR: 116| C| D

2/1

Galileo filly, fourth in Irish Oaks here last July (Fleeting second) and continued her progress with Listed York win (1m4f, good) before taking Irish St Leger (1m4f, good to firm; 10-1) in good style here from smart Kew Gardens. Excellent prospect.

Form: 12411-

Forecasts

Fleeting (2/1), Search For A Song (2/1), Latrobe (11/2), Leo De Fury (6/1), Numerian (9/1), Guaranteed (22/1), Maria Christina (150/1), Persian Lion (400/1), Effernock Fizz (400/1)

Fleeting is a key contender for Ballydoyle and boasts some smart form last season. She doesn't have Star Catcher to contend with this evening and is greatly feared, but it's also true to say she doesn't win as often as might be desired. Dermot Weld is two-handed and it looks as though Maria Christina is a potential pacemaker for Irish St Leger winner SEARCH FOR A SONG. That was a career-best effort, with the likes of Latrobe behind, and while she might want further, Oisin Orr's mount boasts good form at this trip and her stablemate should ensure a stamina test ensues. The aforementioned Latrobe has place claims while stablemate Numerian and Leo De Fury are potential improvers.