Goffs Vincent O'Brien National Stakes (Group 1)

Off time: 16:01 | Winning time: 1m 27.54s

(3)

Bucanero Fuerte²⁹

Age: 2| Weight: 9-5| J: K Stott| T: A Murray| OR: 119| C

1/1

Landed the Group 2 Railway at the Irish Derby meeting and improved another chunk again when a dominant winner of the Group 1 Phoenix here last month (both 6f). Excitingly, he promises to be even better over 7f.

Form: 1311

(4)

Cuban Thunder⁵⁷

Age: 2| Weight: 9-5| J: Gary Halpin| T: A Murray| OR: 86

66/1

Won a York maiden at the Dante meeting but well behind Bucanero Fuerte in the Coventry at Royal Ascot and City of Troy in the Superlative at Newmarket since. First run for this yard after leaving Dominic Ffrench Davis.

Form: 2108

(6)

Henry Longfellow²²

Age: 2| Weight: 9-5| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 114| CD

10/11

Minding's first foal has made the perfect start to his career over C&D in recent months, winning a maiden and the Group 2 Futurity, beating reopposing Islandsinthestream by 2 lengths in latter. Definitely more to come but whether he can seriously trouble stablemate City of Troy is another matter.

Form: 11

(5)

Islandsinthestream²²

Age: 2| Weight: 9-5| J: Declan McDonogh| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 109| CD

12/1

C&D debut winner in June who improved markedly on that form when 2 lengths second to the reopposing Henry Longfellow in the Futurity back here 10 weeks later. Should have more to offer but this looks a particularly hot Group 1.

Form: 12

Non-Runners

(1)

City Of Troy⁵⁷

Weight: 9-5| Age: 2

T: A P O'Brien J: R L Moore

(2)

Givemethebeatboys²⁹

Weight: 9-5| Age: 2

T: Mrs J Harrington J: Shane Foley

Forecasts

City Of Troy (4/5), Henry Longfellow (10/11), Bucanero Fuerte (1/1), Islandsinthestream (12/1), Givemethebeatboys (25/1), Cuban Thunder (66/1)

A mouthwatering clash between CITY OF TROY and Bucanero Fuerte. The latter was most impressive in the 6f Phoenix here and isn't opposed lightly with 7f promising to suit him even better but City of Troy looked something out of the ordinary when trouncing his rivals in the Superlative and can stretch his unbeaten record to 3.