16:10 Curragh

Sunday 15 September 2024

All13:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:2017:55

Goffs Vincent O'Brien National Stakes (Group 1)

Off time: 16:10 | Winning time: 1m 25.08s

(8)

Aomori City⁴⁷

Age: 2| Weight: 9-5| J: W Buick| T: C Appleby| OR: 111| D

4/1

Improved for step up in trip when winning Group 2 7-runner Vintage Stakes at Goodwood (7f, good to firm) 47 days ago by 1¾ lengths from Wolf of Badenoch, driven out. In the right hands to progress again so he commands respect.

Form: 131

(6)

Cowardofthecounty³⁵

Age: 2| Weight: 9-5| J: Declan McDonogh| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 105| C| D

16/1

Winning debut here over 6f in April and useful form when winning 5-runner Prix Francois Boutin at Deauville (7f, good to firm) 35 days ago by 1½ lengths from Houquetot. Limit not yet reached.

Form: 1771

(5)

Henri Matisse²²

Age: 2| Weight: 9-5| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 113| CD

5/6

Looks a top prospect, winning 3 from 3 runs this year. 5/6, won 4-runner Futurity Stakes at this C&D (good) 22 days ago by length from Hotazhell, driven out and still learning his trade. Difficult to oppose.

Form: 111

(7)

Hill Road³⁸

Age: 2| Weight: 9-5| J: D Egan| T: A Murray

14/1

Won a barrier trial in May and looked a really good prospect when winning 11-runner maiden at Leopardstown (8f, good to firm) on debut 38 days ago, forging clear. Can leave bare form behind.

Form: 1

(2)

Rock Of Cashel²²

Age: 2| Weight: 9-5| J: Wayne Lordan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 97| D

40/1

Left debut form well behind when winning at Galway in July. 13/2, 5 lengths last of 4 to Henri Matisse in Futurity Stakes at this C&D (good) 22 days ago and no reason why he'll reverse the form with that rival.

Form: 814

(1)

Scorthy Champ²²

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

12/1

Striking turn of foot when making winning debut at Leopardstown. 17/2, 2 lengths third of 4 to Henri Matisse in Futurity Stakes at this C&D (good) 22 days ago, missing break.

Form: 13

(3)

Seagulls Eleven⁶⁴

Age: 2| Weight: 9-5| J: Oisin Murphy| T: H Palmer| OR: 106| D

7/1

Confirmed debut promise when winning at Haydock in June and cranked his form up again when 1½ lengths second of 6 to Ancient Truth in Superlative Stakes at Newmarket (7f, good, 5/1) 64 days ago.

Form: 212

(4)

The Parthenon^v1³²

Age: 2| Weight: 9-5| J: Gavin Ryan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 96| BF| D

66/1

5½ lengths last of 3 to New Century in listed race (10/11) at Salisbury (8f, good to firm) 32 days ago. Visor on and this a tough race to bounce back in.

Form: 513

Forecasts

Henri Matisse (5/6), Aomori City (4/1), Seagulls Eleven (7/1), Scorthy Champ (12/1), Hill Road (14/1), Cowardofthecounty (16/1), Rock Of Cashel (40/1), The Parthenon (66/1)

HENRI MATISSE looks every inch a Group 1 winner in waiting following a faultless start to his career and with his Futurity Stakes win over C&D comfortably the best form on offer, he's very hard to get away from. Aomori City is second choice, though Hill Road brings considerable potential to the table.