Comer Group International Irish St. Leger Trial Stakes (Group 3)

Off time: 16:37 | Winning time: 3m 3.84s

(4)

Absurde⁶³

Age: 7| Weight: 9-9| J: Shane Foley| T: W P Mullins| OR: 108| BF| D

2/1

Admirable dual-purpose performer who ran creditably when third in Group 3 Ormonde Stakes at Chester (13.4f) in May. Not at best when 4½ lengths second of 4 to Al Qareem in listed race at York (13.8f) 63 days ago but no surprise to see a better showing.

Form: 7/415-32

(1)

Dallas Star⁵⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Seamie Heffernan| T: A Murray| OR: 100

9/1

Useful colt. Latest win at Dundalk in February. Respectable fourth of 9 in Queen Alexandra Stakes at Royal Ascot (21.6f, good to firm, 17/2) 56 days ago. Significant step back down in trip will hold no fears but bit to find with a couple here on these terms.

Form: 146234

(5)

Leinster⁶⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-9| J: Dylan Browne McMonagle| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 93| C

6/1

Useful gelding who made a winning reappearance in big field handicap here (12f) in March and shaped well both starts since, fourth in Chester Cup in May prior to filling same spot in Ascot Stakes (20f) the following month. Unexposed at this sort of trip and unlikely we've seen all he has to offer.

Form: 8/13-144

(3)

Puppet Master⁴⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 105

10/11

Put experience to good use and posted a career best when winning 6-runner listed Derby Trial at Lingfield (11.6f) in May. Better than he could show (missed break) when ninth in Irish Derby and he remains with a good deal of untapped potential as a stayer.

Form: 214-419

Non-Runners

(2)

Uxmal²⁸

Weight: 9-9| Age: 6

T: J P O'Brien J: Declan McDonogh

Forecasts

Puppet Master (10/11), Absurde (2/1), Leinster (6/1), Dallas Star (9/1), Uxmal (10/1)

PUPPET MASTER had excuses when finishing down the field in the Irish Derby 7 weeks ago and, remaining with a good deal of untapped potential as a stayer, he can give Aidan O'Brien another success in this race. Admirable 7-y-o Absurde may be the one to give him most to think about.