14:40 Curragh

Sunday 22 May 2022

All13:4014:1014:4015:1015:4516:2016:5017:20

Tattersalls Gold Cup (Group 1)

Off time: 14:47 | Winning time: 2m 11.44s

(7)

Alenquer⁵⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Tom Marquand| T: W J Haggas| OR: 116| D

7/2

Very smart colt who beat Lord North by 2½ lengths when winning the Winter Derby on his reappearance. Creditable 1¼ lengths sixth of 15 to Shahryar in Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan (1½m, good) next time, racing freely. Back down in trip. Respected with yard in flying form.

Form: 1329-16

(1)

Bear Story²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: Ronan Whelan| T: M Halford| OR: 107| D

66/1

Smart colt. 14/1, good ¾-length second of 7 to Layfayette in Mooresbridge at this course (1¼m, good to soft) 20 days ago but likely to find a few too strong at this level.

Form: 015-332

(6)

Broome¹⁷⁵

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: Wayne Lordan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 118| CD

11/1

Very smart horse who was edged out by Helvic Dream in this last year. Off since his below-form 8½ lengths eleventh of 18 to Contrail in Japan Cup in November. Moore seemingly prefers High Definition.

Form: 142020-

(3)

Helvic Dream⁴²

Age: 5| Weight: 9-5| J: Colin Keane| T: N Meade| OR: 115| CD

20/1

Very smart effort when pipping Broome in this 12 months ago. Not seen again unitl his 2¾ lengths fifth of 9 to Layfayette in Alleged here 42 days ago. Should be sharper with that behind him but this looks a slightly stronger race than last year.

Form: 8/8421-5

(2)

High Definition²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 107| BF| C

20/1

Looked a top-class prospect at 2 but hasn't gone on as expected since, despite the betting often speaking in his favour. Respectable efforts behind Layfayette in Group events here this spring but more will be needed here.

Form: 3069-24

(4)

Lord North⁵⁷

Age: 6| Weight: 9-5| J: L Dettori| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 120| D

2/1

All the sharper for his reappearance second to Alenquer in Winter Derby when landing a second successive Dubai Turf (dead-heated this time) at Meydan in March. Another prominent showing looks assured.

Form: 304/1-21

(8)

Mac Swiney¹⁶¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: K J Manning| T: J S Bolger| OR: 118| C

22/1

Won the Irish 2000 Guineas here a year ago but reproduced that form only once later in his 3-y-o campaign. Others preferred on return.

Form: 465030-

(5)

State Of Rest^t²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-5| J: S M Crosse| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 120| D

2/1

Been seen to very good effect overseas, winning Saratoga Grade 1 last August, the Cox Plate in Australia in the autumn and Prix Ganay at Longchamp on his recent reappearance. Might be able extend that wining sequence back on home soil.

Form: 35/311-1

Forecasts

State Of Rest (2/1), Lord North (2/1), Alenquer (7/2), Broome (11/1), High Definition (20/1), Helvic Dream (20/1), Mac Swiney (22/1), Bear Story (66/1)

STATE OF REST has been a big improver on his travels since finishing third in a 1m course listed last June and might be up to extending his winning run to 4 back on home soil. British-trained pair Lord North and Alenquer, whose stable has been near unstoppable in recent weeks, can give the selection most to think about.