Goffs Vincent O'Brien National Stakes (Group 1)

Off time: 15:37 | Winning time: 1m 29.31s

(3)

Aesop's Fables²²

Age: 2| Weight: 9-5| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 111| CD

8/13

Bred to be smart and he arrives unbeaten on the back of ready wins in 6f Navan maiden and Futurity Stakes over C&D when beating Hans Andersen by 2¼ lengths. Holds leading claims.

Form: 11

(5)

Al Riffa³⁶

Age: 2| Weight: 9-5| J: Dylan Browne McMonagle| T: J P O'Brien| CD

9/1

Wootton Bassett colt who confirmed debut promise with impressive win in 11-runner maiden over C&D 36 days ago. Open to further improvement so he's no forlorn hope.

Form: 21

(1)

Hans Andersen²²

Age: 2| Weight: 9-5| J: Seamie Heffernan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 106| CD

9/1

Improving Frankel colt who landed maiden over C&D before coming in 2¼ lengths second to stable companion Aesop's Fables in Futurity Stakes here 22 days ago. Stable's second string but he looks the type to do better again.

Form: 212

(4)

Marbaan⁴⁷

Age: 2| Weight: 9-5| J: J P Spencer| T: C Fellowes| OR: 109| D

7/1

Oasis Dream colt who has improved with each of his four runs, completing his hat-trick in Vintage Stakes at Goodwood (7f) 47 days ago by ½ length from Holloway Boy. Shouldn't be underestimated with more to come.

Form: 3111

(6)

Proud And Regal²²

Age: 2| Weight: 9-5| J: Gavin Ryan| T: Donnacha O'Brien| OR: 105| BF| CD

9/1

Galileo colt who landed C&D maiden and Tyros Stakes at Leopardstown before posting excellent 2½ lengths third to Aesop's Fables in Futurity Stakes here 22 days ago. Solid claims.

Form: 113

(2)

Shartash³⁶

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

14/1

Useful Invincible Spirit colt who landed Railway Stakes here before recording creditable third of 5 to Little Big Bear in Phoenix Stakes here 36 days ago. Not dismissed now stepping up to 7f for the first time.

Form: 3113

Forecasts

Aesop's Fables (8/13), Marbaan (7/1), Al Riffa (9/1), Proud And Regal (9/1), Hans Andersen (9/1), Shartash (14/1)

AESOP'S FABLES looked a colt really going places when taking the Futurity Stakes over C&D and can maintain his unbeaten record at the chief expense of sole English challenger Marbaan, who shouldn't be taken lightly in his bid to complete a four-timer on the back of his Vintage Stakes success. Shartash can take another step forward now he steps up to 7f and is firmly in the mix too.