17:15 Leopardstown

Saturday 11 July 2020

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

'Green Room' Meld Stakes (Group 3)

Off time: 17:15 | Winning time: 1m 52.90s

(7)

Ancient Spirit¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-11| J: Shane Foley| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 110

4/1

Returned to the track in magnificent form this season winning both starts ('Listed' contests), most recently at the Curragh (1m; good) in a typically competitive event on Irish Derby weekend. Should have a leading role to play. 0-4 at Leopardstown.

Form: 3692-11

(5)

Georgeville¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: O J Orr| T: D K Weld| OR: 104

33/1

May have needed the outing when having his first start in almost 365 days when eighth behind Ancient Spirit in a 'Listed' contest at the Curragh (1m; good). Not given a hard time of things, but a great deal more needed.

Form: 3/0113-8

(3)

Guaranteed²⁹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: K J Manning| T: J S Bolger| OR: 107| CD

12/1

Far from disgraced when fourth in a Group Two at the Curragh (1m2f; good to firm) last month. Should strip fitter but he is proving difficult to win with so is unlikely to trouble the leading contenders too much.

Form: 15236-4

(2)

Patrick Sarsfield^t⁸

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: Declan McDonogh| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 109| CD

5/2

Improving at a rate of knots and defied recent 15lb rise when winning for the third time in a row at Navan (1m2f; yielding) last week. Lightly raced and has been brought along nicely for this. Exciting sort.

Form: 32/21-11

(4)

Trais Fluors³¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-11| J: Ronan Whelan| T: K J Condon| OR: 109| D

20/1

Not far behind Ancient Spirit on debut for this new yard when third behind that rival at Navan (1m; good to firm). Talented without winning very often for Andre Fabre, and his third behind Zabeel Prince in France would bring him into this.

Form: 2330-73

(8)

Zabeel Prince³⁴⁶

Age: 7| Weight: 9-11| J: Colin Keane| T: R Varian| OR: 117| D

5/4

7lb clear of nearest rival but is off level weights with this field so could be difficult to beat if near his best on seasonal debut. Goes well fresh and booking of Colin Keane another positive. The one they all have to beat.

Form: 2/11787-

(6)

Celtic High King¹⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: M C Hussey| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 93| C

50/1

All his rivals are comfortably clear of him on ratings, and he was never seriously involved when sixth of seven in Group Three company over a furlong shorter at this track last time out. Readily opposed.

Form: 618-46

(1)

Fort Myers⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Wayne Lordan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 104

18/1

This is a slight drop in class given he has contested the Irish 2000 Guineas & Prix du Jockey Club on both starts this season. Ran very poorly on each occasion though. Has amazingly never won on turf after eight attempts. Best watched.

Form: 3417-90

Forecasts

Zabeel Prince (5/4), Patrick Sarsfield (5/2), Ancient Spirit (4/1), Guaranteed (12/1), Fort Myers (18/1), Trais Fluors (20/1), Georgeville (33/1), Celtic High King (50/1)

It looks a shrewd move by Roger Varian to bring ZABEEL PRINCE over for this Group Three contest. He is comfortably clear of his rivals on ratings, and won in this grade on his return to action last season so the 346-day break is of no concern. Connections are not messing about with leading Irish jockey Colin Keane booked for the ride. Trais Flours finished third in a Group One for his former stable behind the selection and has place claims on that form, while Patrick Sarsfield is on an upward curve currently so should represent himself well on this first foray into group company. Ancient Spirit is also afforded major respect given he is 2-2 since racing resumed.