17:45 Curragh

Saturday 18 July 2020

All16:1516:4517:1517:4518:1518:4519:1519:45

Paddy Power Minstrel Stakes (Group 2)

Off time: 17:45 | Winning time: 1m 25.88s

(2)

Buffer Zone⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: Colin Keane| T: G M Lyons| OR: 107| BF| C

9/1

Won twice here last season, the latter success in a particularly valuable handicap. Only beaten half a length in a 6f Group 2 here last month and unsuited by a drop in trip latest but the first try at 7f is the big question mark now.

Form: 510-333

(1)

Lancaster House³⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: Wayne Lordan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 110| CD

10/11

Progressed well last season, winning his first three starts including a Listed race at Listowel in September; couldn't follow up in the Boomerang Stakes but returned with a Group 3 win here last month; leading player if he comes on for that run.

Form: 1117-1

(3)

Romanised^t³¹⁴

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: W J Lee| T: K J Condon| OR: 118| CD

9/4

Irish Guineas winner in 2018 and went on to win this last year prior to a Group 1 success in France; went close to a hat-trick when narrowly behind Circus Maximus in a Longchamp Group 1 when last seen and warrants plenty of respect down in class.

Form: 544112-

(5)

Surrounding^t¹³

Age: 7| Weight: 9-7| J: Ronan Whelan| T: M Halford| OR: 103| C| D

10/1

Group 3 winner and has four Listed wins to her name but not at her best at Meydan early in the year; bounced back with a good second at Fairyhouse latest but this demands more.

Form: 1-74462

(6)

Love Locket²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: M C Hussey| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 101| D

14/1

Has taken her form to a new level this year, winning a Group 3 at Leopardstown on return; perhaps out of her depth in a Group 1 at Royal Ascot latest and this isn't any easier.

Form: 4712-16

(4)

Precious Moments⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Declan McDonogh| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 95| C

66/1

Just a maiden win to her name; third behind Love Locket in a Group 3 at Leopardstown on return but hasn't built on that in three subsequent Pattern starts and this is her toughest test yet.

Form: 10-3570

Non-Runners

(7)

Gustavus Weston¹³

Weight: 9-10| Age: 4

T: J G Murphy J: Gary Carroll

Forecasts

Lancaster House (10/11), Romanised (9/4), Buffer Zone (9/1), Surrounding (10/1), Gustavus Weston (12/1), Love Locket (14/1), Precious Moments (66/1)

ROMANISED looked better than ever towards the end of last season and while he's the only one that lacks a recent run in the field, the drop in class helps compensate for that and he's taken to land back-to-back renewals of this race. The progressive Lancaster House is an obvious danger and he looks like the clear first string for Ballydoyle while Gustavus Weston may have more to give at this trip if the hood helps him settle better.