Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund (C & G) Maiden

Off time: 16:45 | Winning time: 1m 14.55s

(5)

Alex D¹⁸

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

6/4

Oasis Dream colt out of a Dansili mare. Cost 75,000gns as a yearling. Half-brother to winner at 1m, Machell Place. Good third on debut at Naas (6f, good to firm) this month and that form looks strong. Key player.

Form: 3

(3)

Arctician

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: W J Lee| T: P Twomey

6/1

£70,000 yearling; first foal; dam unraced half-sister to 1m Gr 1 winner Lightning Spear and 1m2f Listed winner Ocean War and Listed-placed winners Seaway (1m2f) and First Destinity (7.5f-9.7f) out of US 5f/GB 6f Listed winner; interesting newcomer.

Form:

(2)

Irish Chief¹⁴

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: P B Beggy| T: A P O'Brien

10/1

Very nicely-related War Front colt; least fancied of Ballydoyle runners on debut at this venue over 5f recently and work to do with stablemate Merchants Quay (second) on the evidence.

Form: 6

(1)

Merchants Quay¹⁴

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

6/4

No Nay Never colt cost €300,000 as a yearling; 11-10f on debut over 5f here this month but 1L second to stablemate Admiral Nelson (well beaten favourite in Coventry Stakes since); should have much more to offer and leading player again.

Form: 2

(4)

Mulgrave

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: M A Gallagher| T: E P Harty

18/1

€42,000 yearling; fifth foal; half-brother to winners Dadoozdart (5f-12.6f inc 2yo/Listed) and Coif (French 1m1f AW 2yo); dam unplaced 1m/1m2f, half-sister to Dewhurst winner Intense Focus out of useful 7f winner.

Form:

Forecasts

Merchants Quay (6/4), Alex D (6/4), Arctician (6/1), Irish Chief (10/1), Mulgrave (18/1)

ALEX D and Merchants Quay are the pair with most pressing claims and Get Lyons' charge might shade this. Third at Naas on debut this month, he was doing his best work late having looked a bit green early in the contest. Runner-up Lipizzaner was fourth in the Norfolk Stakes last week while Battleground (fifth) readily won the Chesham over 7f. Their stable companion Merchants Quay was unable to justify favouritism on debut, finishing second to subsequent beaten Coventry Stakes favourite Admiral Nelson (disappointing at Ascot). Colin Keane's mount can win this, though Irish Chief may improve for Team Ballydoyle and Arctician is promising on paper.