Keeneland Phoenix Stakes (Group 1)

Off time: 16:16 | Winning time: 1m 11.27s

(3)

Apache Outlaw⁴²

Age: 2| Weight: 9-5| J: Declan McDonogh| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 100| D

80/1

Winner at Fairyhouse in June. 22/1, excellent 1¼ lengths third of 6 to Shartash in Railway Stakes at this C&D (good) 42 days ago, running on. Hard to make a case for in this company, though.

Form: 3213

(6)

Bradsell⁵³

Age: 2| Weight: 9-5| J: Hollie Doyle| T: A Watson| OR: 114| D

11/8

Highly promising sort who made it 2-2 in 17-runner Coventry Stakes (8/1) at Royal Ascot (6f, good to firm) 53 days ago by 1½ lengths from Persian Force. Has more to offer. Leading claims.

Form: 11

(2)

Little Big Bear²¹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-5| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 110| CD

13/8

Bagged Windsor Castle at Royal Ascot before completing his hat-trick in 6-runner Anglesey Stakes at this course (6.3f, good to soft, 2/5) 21 days ago by 4¾ lengths from Yosemite Valley, forging clear. Better still to come. Player.

Form: 2111

(1)

Persian Force³⁰

Age: 2| Weight: 9-5| J: R G Ryan| T: R Hannon| OR: 110| D

4/1

3 wins from 4 runs this year, well on top at the finish in 7-runner July Stakes at Newmarket (6f, good to firm, 1/2) 30 days ago by 1½ lengths from Show Respect. HIghly respected.

Form: 1121

(4)

Shartash⁴²

Age: 2| Weight: 9-5| J: Ben Coen| T: J P Murtagh| OR: 106| CD

18/1

Improving sort who went 2 from 3 in 6-runner Railway Stakes at this C&D (good) 42 days ago by short head from Blackbeard. Likely to improve again. Not dismissed.

Form: 311

Non-Runners

(5)

Blackbeard²⁰

Weight: 9-5| Age: 2

T: A P O'Brien J: Seamie Heffernan

Forecasts

Bradsell (11/8), Little Big Bear (13/8), Persian Force (4/1), Blackbeard (5/1), Shartash (18/1), Apache Outlaw (80/1)

BRADSELL is the only unbeaten runner in this Group 1 contest and Archie Watson's impressive Coventry winner can maintain his unblemished record at the chief expense of Aidan O'Brien's improving Little Big Bear who bids for a four-timer. Persian Force, Blackbeard and Shartash can fight it out for minor honours.