16:05 Curragh

Sunday 20 August 2023

All14:0014:3015:0015:3016:0516:3517:0517:35

Fitzdares Royal Whip Stakes (Group 3)

Off time: 16:06 | Winning time: 2m 7.41s

(6)

Helvic Dream²²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: Gary Carroll| T: N Meade| OR: 102| CD

22/1

C&D winner. Fourth of 5 in minor event at Gowran (9.5f, soft, 5/2) 22 days ago. Likely to come on for that run, but hasn't been at his best for some time.

Form: 5876-74

(1)

Layfayette¹³

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: Colin Keane| T: N Meade| OR: 107| CD

7/2

Smart gelding. C&D winner. Eight wins from 31 Flat runs. Bit below form 7 lengths fourth of 8 to Vauban in Ballyroan Stakes at Naas (11.9f, soft, 10/1) 13 days ago. Solid claims if back to his best.

Form: 234144

(3)

Knight To King⁴³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Chris Hayes| T: D K Weld| OR: 103

9/4

Useful colt. Winning start before running with credit when 4½ lengths fourth of 5 to Horizon Dore in Prix Eugene Adam at Saint-Cloud (9.9f, good to firm, 64/10) 43 days ago. Remains with potential and boasts reasonable claims back down in grade.

Form: 14

(5)

Pivotal Trigger¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Ronan Whelan| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 101| D

6/1

Useful colt. Latest win at Roscommon in June. 22/1, 8¼ lengths sixth of 8 to Vauban in Ballyroan Stakes at Naas (11.9f, soft) 13 days ago.

Form: 137-166

(7)

Young Ireland²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Rory Cleary| T: J S Bolger| OR: 103| D

16/1

Useful colt. Winner at Cork in May. 18 lengths eighth of 9 to Emily Dickinson in Curragh Cup (16/1) at this course (14f, soft) 29 days ago. Back down in trip.

Form: 214428

(4)

Unless^b⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Seamie Heffernan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 104| CD

15/8

Useful filly. Career best when winning 14-runner listed race at this C&D (good, 6/1) 7 days ago by 1¾ lengths from Azazat, having run of race. Going the right way and seems likely to feature.

Form: 221421

Non-Runners

(2)

Goldana²²

Weight: 9-9| Age: 4

T: J P O'Brien J: Dylan Browne McMonagle

Forecasts

Unless (15/8), Knight To King (9/4), Goldana (3/1), Layfayette (7/2), Pivotal Trigger (6/1), Young Ireland (16/1), Helvic Dream (22/1)

UNLESS stepped up her form when landing a listed race over C&D a week ago and, if she gets another easy lead she will prove tough to pass. Layfayette has the best form and warrants strong consideration despite a lesser effort last time, while Knight To Knight looks open to further progress after just two runs.