Paddy Power International Stakes (Group 3)

Off time: 16:01 | Winning time: 2m 7.11s

(5)

Layfayette⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: Chris Hayes| T: N Meade| OR: 109| CD

9/2

Smart gelding. C&D winner. Eight wins from 29 Flat runs. 15/8, didn't need to be at best when winning 11-runner listed race at Limerick (12.5f, good) 8 days ago by ¾ length from Term of Endearment. Leading claims.

Form: 7-32341

(1)

Mashhoor³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-9| J: Ben Coen| T: J P Murtagh| OR: 105| CD

6/1

Smart gelding. Career best when winning 6-runner listed race at this course (12f, good, 2/1) 35 days ago by 1½ lengths from Annerville, staying on well. This is more demanding but he's clearly progressive and should give it a good shot.

Form: 410-011

(2)

Self Belief⁷⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Billy Lee| T: W McCreery| OR: 105| C| D

16/1

Lightly-raced winner. Course winner. Hooded for 1st time, 13½ lengths fourth of 5 to Point Lonsdale in Alleged Stakes at this C&D (heavy, 10/3) 76 days ago. Others preferred.

Form: 151-34

(3)

Al Riffa²⁹³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-4| J: Dylan Browne McMonagle| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 114| C

5/6

Thrice-raced winner. Won 6-runner National Stakes (9/1) at this course (7f, heavy) by 1¼ lengths from Proud And Regal on final 2-y-o start. Bred to relish this step up in trip and, with improvement likely, he will be hard to beat if fully tuned-up for this.

Form: 211-

(4)

Alfred Munnings³⁷⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| BF

4/1

Twice-raced winner. 11/8, 6 lengths sixth of 13 to Holloway Boy in Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot (7f, good to firm) when last seen 12 months ago. Needs to take a big step forward but he's an intriguing contender given his yard and potential.

Form: 16-

Forecasts

Al Riffa (5/6), Alfred Munnings (4/1), Layfayette (9/2), Mashhoor (6/1), Self Belief (16/1)

Provided he's ready to roll for this belated seasonal reappearance AL RIFFA will take plenty of stopping. He looked an exciting prospect when coming from last to first to land the Group 1 National Stakes over 7f here on his final 2-y-o start and bring plenty of potential for middle distances this season. The consistent Layfayette regained the winning thread at Limerick recently and is second choice ahead of the progressive Mashhoor.