13:10 Leopardstown

Saturday 11 September 2021

All12:4013:1013:4014:1014:4515:1515:4516:20

KPMG Champions Juvenile Stakes (Group 2)

Off time: 13:10 | Winning time: 1m 42.75s

(4)

Absolute Ruler²⁷

Age: 2| Weight: 9-5| J: G M Ryan| T: Donnacha O'Brien| D

5/1

Son of War Front made promising start when 9/2-winner of 12-runner maiden at Dundalk (8f) 27 days ago, getting up late. Sure to progress and win more races, so he needs considering.

Form: 1

(1)

Atomic Jones⁷⁶

Age: 2| Weight: 9-5| J: Colin Keane| T: G M Lyons

10/1

11/2, won 9-runner maiden at the Curragh (7f, good to firm) on debut 76 days ago, just holding on. Stable in good form, and open to improvement.

Form: 1

(8)

Buckaroo⁴²

Age: 2| Weight: 9-5| J: Declan McDonogh| T: J P O'Brien| D

10/3

Built on debut promise when (evens) landing 7-runner maiden at Galway (8.3f, good to firm) 42 days ago by neck from Stone Age. Has more to offer, and no forlorn hope.

Form: 31

(9)

Howth¹⁵

Age: 2| Weight: 9-5| J: J A Heffernan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 91| D

33/1

1m winner at Killarney in August but only eighth of 9 in nursery at the Curragh (7f, good) 15 days ago, though unsuited by way race developed. Fair bit more is required in this grade.

Form: 52418

(2)

I Am Magic²²

Age: 2| Weight: 9-5| J: M A Gallagher| T: M O'Callaghan

80/1

7f maiden winner at Galway in July but well-beaten last of 7 to Albahr in listed race at Salisbury (8f, good) 22 days ago. Needs to get back on track.

Form: 5217

(3)

John The Baptist⁵⁶

Age: 2| Weight: 9-5| J: M A Enright| T: J A Stack

25/1

Sprung a surprise when 50/1-winner of 10-runner maiden at the Curragh (7f, good) on his debut 56 days ago, getting up late. Should have more to offer, especially stepped up to 1m now.

Form: 1

(7)

Manu Et Corde²¹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-5| J: K J Manning| T: J S Bolger| OR: 98| CD

20/1

C&D maiden winner in July who wasn't disgraced when fourth of 6 to Point Lonsdale in Futurity Stakes at the Curragh (7f, soft) 21 days ago. This demands plenty more, though.

Form: 5914

(6)

Maritime Wings²¹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-5| J: S M Crosse| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 106| C

4/1

Scored over 7f here on debut and better form since when twice runner-up to smart Point Lonsdale in Futurity Stakes at the Curragh (7f) on latter occasion. Will stay 1m. Sets a good standard.

Form: 122

(5)

Once Upon A River⁷⁴

Age: 2| Weight: 9-5| J: Gary Carroll| T: G M Lyons

13/2

Stepped up on debut third when readily landing the odds in 7-runner maiden at Roscommon (7.3f, good to soft) 74 days ago. Better still to come, so he shouldn't be underestimated after his break.

Form: 31

(10)

Stone Age⁴²

Age: 2| Weight: 9-5| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien

10/3

Has shaped with promise when placed in 1m maidens over C&D and at Galway (beaten neck by Buckaroo) in July. More is needed upped in grade here, however.

Form: 32

Forecasts

Stone Age (10/3), Buckaroo (10/3), Maritime Wings (4/1), Absolute Ruler (5/1), Once Upon A River (13/2), Atomic Jones (10/1), Manu Et Corde (20/1), John The Baptist (25/1), Howth (33/1), I Am Magic (80/1)

MARITIME WINGS has already shown himself to be a very useful colt in the making and, with no Point Lonsdale to encounter here, is taken to gain a deserved first victory in pattern-race company. Aidan O'Brien has farmed this event in past years so Stone Age is feared most in the absence of his star stable companion. Once Upon A River and Absolute Ruler are two other promising colts to consider.