15:10 Curragh

Sunday 9 August 2020

All14:0014:3515:1015:4016:1516:5017:2517:55

Keeneland Phoenix Stakes (Group 1)

Off time: 15:12 | Winning time: 1m 13.35s

(5)

Admiral Nelson¹⁰

Age: 2| Weight: 9-5| J: E J McNamara| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 96| C

14/1

Yet to build on the promise of his debut success over 5f at this course in two subsequent starts at this level finishing in midfield on each occasion. Something to prove now but return to this track could be a positive.

Form: 184

(8)

Giorgio Vasari^b⁶

Age: 2| Weight: 9-5| J: M C Hussey| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 92| D

16/1

Got his own way in front when following up recent success to go in again at Naas (6f; yielding) at the start of the week. Likely to be used as pacemaker in this contest for Admiral Nelson.

Form: 2511

(10)

Laws Of Indices²²

Age: 2| Weight: 9-5| J: W J Lee| T: K J Condon| OR: 106| CD

8/1

Seemingly no fluke about his surprise victory in the Group Two Railway Stakes when a 66-1 winner. Travelled sweetly throughout the contest and found a good bit for pressure so will likely hold Lucky Vega on that evidence. Solid place claims.

Form: 911

(9)

Lucky Vega²²

Age: 2| Weight: 9-5| J: S Foley| T: Mrs J Harrington| D

4/1

Only beaten a half-length by the lesser fancied Laws Of Indices (66-1) when second over C&D in the GAIN Railway Stakes. Didn't travel as well as that rival though, and no obvious reason why he will be reversing the form this time round.

Form: 12

(2)

St Mark's Basilica¹⁴

Age: 2| Weight: 9-5| J: Wayne Lordan| T: A P O'Brien| BF

7/2

Maiden would have to improve a fair bit to feature prominently in this after finishing second on debut over C&D. Bound to come on significantly from that run and he is well-bred but others have more proven form in the book.

Form: 2

(4)

Steel Bull¹¹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-5| J: L F Roche| T: M O'Callaghan| OR: 105

9/2

Enhanced his reputation to maintain unbeaten record in good style when winning the Molecomb Stakes at Glorious Goodwood (5f; good) last week. Step up to 6f may unlock further improvement, and it seems notable new connections chose to supplement him.

Form: 11

(3)

The Lir Jet²¹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-5| J: O J Orr| T: M L W Bell| OR: 106

5/1

Lost unbeaten record when turned over at 2-5f by Ventura Tormenta in a bob of the head photo-finish at Chantilly (6f; good to soft). This race likely to play more to his strengths though, and strong suspicion he can reverse the form.

Form: 112

(7)

Ventura Tormenta²¹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-5| J: Declan McDonogh| T: R Hannon| OR: 107| D

12/1

Renews rivalry with The Lir Jet after showing a determined attitude to deny that colt in the Prix Robert Papin at Chantilly (6f; good to soft) by a short-head. Could get more competition for the lead in this bigger field.

Form: 6151

(1)

Aloha Star²¹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: Chris Hayes| T: J A Stack| OR: 103| CD

14/1

Followed up breakthrough Bellewstown (5f; yielding) victory to cause a 33-1 upset in the Airlie Stud Stakes over C&D last time out when improving for the step up in trip to beat Frenetic & Mother Earth. Form of the yard the only concern.

Form: 8311

(6)

Bubbles On Ice²⁷

Age: 2| Weight: 9-2| J: Ronan Whelan| T: J A Stack

80/1

Confirmed the promise of her debut effort to win at Killarney (1m; yielding) with the minimum of fuss. Form of that race looks respectable with a previous winner back in second but this is a steep rise in grade.

Form: 51

Result Amended

The Lir Jet - Original Position 3rd. Amended Position 2nd.

Aloha Star - Original Position 2nd. Amended Position 3rd.

Forecasts

St Mark's Basilica (7/2), Lucky Vega (4/1), Steel Bull (9/2), The Lir Jet (5/1), Laws Of Indices (8/1), Ventura Tormenta (12/1), Aloha Star (14/1), Admiral Nelson (14/1), Giorgio Vasari (16/1), Bubbles On Ice (80/1)

A fascinating renewal of this Group One contest. After he was snapped up by new connections after his win in the Molecomb Stakes last week, it seems notable that STEEL BULL has been supplemented for this. He looked right out of the top drawer at Goodwood and the step up to 6f may see him in an even better light. The Lir Jet looks the main danger after his short-head defeat to Ventura Tormenta last time out but he should reverse the form given that rival is unlikely to get his own way in front. Meanwhile, both Laws Of Indices & Aloha Star are both afforded major respect after causing major shocks to win group two races over C&D when last seen.