15:10 Curragh

Sunday 28 June 2020

All14:0014:3515:1015:4516:1516:4517:1517:45

Finlay Volvo Cars Race

Off time: 15:10 | Winning time: 2m 12.82s

(1)

Emperor Of The Sun²⁹³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-10| J: G M Ryan⁽⁵⁾| T: Donnacha O'Brien| OR: 90

12/1

Smartly bred sort related to multiple winners. Struck on second start at Galway last summer and arguably improved when 1L third in Listowel handicap (1m) in September. Not seen since and has changed hands but not without hope.

Form: 313-

(6)

Keats⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-10| J: Wayne Lordan| T: A P O'Brien

6/1

Typical improving sort for this yard. Put behind two defeats on first two starts when narrow winner of 1m Gowran maiden nine days ago. Should progress again and is considered.

Form: 44-1

(4)

Maker Of Kings¹⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-10| J: Colin Keane| T: G M Lyons| OR: 91

4/1

Ran with a vast amount of credit for previous handler, placing in each start, but bettered that when landing Gowran maiden (7f, good) earlier this month. Takes next step but has the scope for further improvement.

Form: 3233-1

(7)

Napa Valley¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-10| J: J A Heffernan| T: A P O'Brien

1/1

Bred to be a smart sort and enhanced glowing reputation on debut when easy 3L winner of Leopardstown maiden (1m) two weeks ago. This is another step up but could be anything. Leading chance.

Form: 1

(3)

Rebel Tale¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-10| J: Ben Coen⁽³⁾| T: A Slattery| OR: 103

10/1

Most exposed sort in the field and highly contested recently. Not beaten far in Group 2's last term but out of his depth when down the field in Irish 2,000 Guineas on reappearance. This is easier but still more is needed.

Form: 13324-0

(8)

Fraterculus^p⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: K J Manning| T: J S Bolger

25/1

Twice-raced Teofilo colt. Improved nicely from debut run to take third, beaten 5L, at Leopardstown (1m2f, good) a week ago. This is another marked step up though and may find this tough.

Form: 93

(2)

Katiba¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: O J Orr| T: D K Weld| OR: 98| C

15/2

Maiden winner on first start and not disgraced in two efforts since, including when 6L eighth in Irish 1,000 Guineas (1m, good to firm) earlier this month. Now steps up in trip and holds solid place claims.

Form: 13-8

Non-Runners

(5)

Masteroffoxhounds²⁰

Weight: 9-10| Age: 3

T: Mrs J Harrington J: S Foley

Forecasts

Napa Valley (1/1), Maker Of Kings (4/1), Keats (6/1), Masteroffoxhounds (6/1), Katiba (15/2), Rebel Tale (10/1), Emperor Of The Sun (12/1), Fraterculus (25/1)

A liekable contest in which a handful can stake their claims, the most unexposed in the field NAPA VALLEY is the preference to maintain his unbeaten record. His impressed significantly on his belated debut, looking a group performer in the making, and this can be his next step up on the way to higher company. Maker Of Kings has proven to be a model of consistency and finally looked like he got his act together last time around and has the scope to progress further, while the likes of Keats, Katiba and Emperor Of The Sun have all shown glimpses of promise but may need to improve a couple of pounds should they have a winning chance.