16:20 Curragh

Saturday 25 June 2022

All13:2514:0014:3515:0515:4516:2016:5017:25

ARM Holding International Stakes (Group 3)

Off time: 16:20 | Winning time: 2m 8.15s

(7)

Bear Story³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-12| J: Ronan Whelan| T: M Halford| OR: 107

10/1

Smart colt. 7¾ lengths sixth of 8 to Alenquer in Tattersalls Gold Cup here (10.5f, good) 34 days ago. Placed in C&D Group races piror to that.

Form: 15-3326

(3)

Mac Swiney³⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: K J Manning| T: J S Bolger| OR: 117| C

4/1

Won the Irish 2000 Guineas here last year and also third in the Champion Stakes at Ascot in October. Well held in Tattersalls Gold Cup on course reappearance 34 days ago but leading claims if back near his best.

Form: 65030-7

(4)

Visualisation³⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Declan McDonogh| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 105| C

7/2

Smart gelding. 8/1, very good fifth of 27 in handicap at the Curragh (8f, good to soft) 36 days ago. Back up in trip. Likely to be thereabouts.

Form: 814-935

(1)

Rumbles Of Thunder⁵²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: W J Lee| T: P Twomey| OR: 102| D

11/4

Dual listed winner in France and struck in similar company at the second time of asking for new connections at Gowran last month. More than capable of holding her own at minor pattern level on that evidence.

Form: 1187-41

(6)

Duke De Sessa³⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: Chris Hayes| T: D K Weld| OR: 104| C

13/2

Useful colt. 50/1, respectable 6 lengths fifth of 9 to Native Trail in Irish 2000 Guineas here 35 days ago, inadequate test. The step back up in trip here is in his favour.

Form: 161-355

(5)

Aikhal¹¹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 108

20/1

Smart colt. 50/1, 13¾ lengths last of 11 to Coroebus in St James's Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot (1m, good to firm) on reappearance 11 days ago. Step up in trip may help him.

Form: 2144-0

(2)

Vega Magnifico^t⁴²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-11| J: Dylan Browne McMonagle| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 94| D

5/1

Impressive in 1¼m Navan maiden 6 weeks ago. Definitely more to come but a fair chunk of improvement will be needed now stepping straight up to pattern level.

Form: 4-41

Forecasts

Rumbles Of Thunder (11/4), Visualisation (7/2), Mac Swiney (4/1), Vega Magnifico (5/1), Duke De Sessa (13/2), Bear Story (10/1), Aikhal (20/1)

RUMBLES OF THUNDER had a bit up her sleeve in a Gowran listed last month and looks capable of winning at minor pattern level for her new stable on that evidence. Mac Swiney will obviously be a huge threat if recapturing anything like his best form but there have to be some doubts given his rather tame reappearance run. Visualisation is in good form and should also be in the shake-up.