Xin Gin Ballyroan Stakes (Group 3)

Off time: 18:22 | Winning time: 2m 31.82s

(4)

Crypto Force⁴⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: D Egan| T: A Murray| OR: 105

12/1

Dual winner last year who has showed he retains all of his ability this term. Latest effort at Royal Ascot wasn't all that encouraging, though (firmish ground may have been against him).

Form: 71/6736

(2)

Crystal Black⁴⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: Colin Keane| T: G Keane| OR: 111| D

11/10

Remarkably progressive and made it 4 wins in a row and 5 from his last 6 outings in 19-runner handicap at Royal Ascot (12f, good to firm, 11/1) just under 7 weeks ago, staying on to lead final 100 yds and well on top finish. Leading claims.

Form: 131-111

(1)

Safecracker^h,t³⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: Ben Coen| T: J P Murtagh| OR: 101| D

10/1

11/1, proved at least as good as ever and very nearly got off the mark for the season when second of 10 in handicap at the Curragh (12f, good) 39 days ago, faring best of those held up. Well beaten in this last year but this is considerably weaker.

Form: 217-502

(3)

The Euphrates^v¹²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 105| D

6/5

Capitalised on the drop in grade to get off the mark for the current campaign in 7-runner listed race at Gowran (12.2f, good) 12 days ago by ½ length from Kinesiology, going clear over 1f out but all out to hold on. Gets plenty of weight and should be bang there in a weak-looking Group 3.

Form: 1-24561

Forecasts

Crystal Black (11/10), The Euphrates (6/5), Safecracker (10/1), Crypto Force (12/1)

CRYSTAL BLACK made it 5 wins from his last 6 outings when scooting clear at Royal Ascot in June and Gerard Keane's remarkably progressive gelding can make a successful transition to pattern company at the expense of The Euphrates, who opened his account for the year in a listed event at Gowran recently and gets plenty of weight from his rivals being the sole 3-y-o. Safecracker, who was well beaten in this when staged at Naas last year, can fill out third.