16:55 Leopardstown

Saturday 13 September 2025

All14:1514:5015:2015:5016:2516:5517:3018:0518:40

TonyBet Solonaway Stakes (Group 2)

Off time: 16:55 | Winning time: 1m 39.76s

(5)

Chicago Critic³⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: Seamie Heffernan| T: J P Murtagh| OR: 108| CD

15/2

Won 6-runner listed Amethyst Stakes at this track in May and back to his best following a short break when a length third of 6 to Johan in the Desmond Stakes over C&D (good) 37 days ago, not ideally placed off the pace. Should hold his own in Group 2 company.

Form: 74-7193

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(3)

Johan³⁷

Age: 8| Weight: 9-10| J: Ronan Whelan| T: J Channon| OR: 110| CD

7/1

Has several major handicaps in Britain on his CV and he enhanced his record when fresh with a career-best performance to win the Desmond Stakes over C&D (good, 12/1) 37 days ago, gamely holding on having made the running. Claims if arriving in similar form.

Form: 15/013-1

(8)

Lord Massusus³⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-10| J: Shane Foley| T: J G Murphy| OR: 106| CD

28/1

Won the listed Heritage Stakes over C&D earlier this season but ran one of his lesser races when 6¼ lengths fifth of 6 to Johan in Desmond Stakes at this C&D (good) 37 days ago. No obvious excuse that day and while the type to bounce back quickly, this is a stronger contest.

Form: 155445

(9)

Mutasarref^p³⁷

Age: 7| Weight: 9-10| J: Gary Carroll| T: G M Lyons| OR: 107| CD

16/1

Won 4 times at listed/Group 3 level last season, 3 victories coming at this track. Third in the Group 2 Minstrel Stakes in July and underlined his consistency when 1¼ lengths behind Johan over C&D last month. Should be in the mix with cheekpieces refitted (won sole previous start in headgear).

Form: 1-23734

(7)

Skukuza²¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-10| J: Chris Hayes| T: E A L Dunlop| OR: 113| D

5/1

Smart form with wins in a handicap and listed race over 1m at the Curragh this summer. Clearly wasn't 100% at Goodwood and bounced back when a close third in the Strensall Stakes at York (8.8f, good to firm) 21 days ago, finishing best of all. Makes plenty of appeal returned to these shores.

Form: 561193

(6)

Alakazi³⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Ben Coen| T: J P Murtagh| OR: 109| BF| CD

7/2

Progressive since winning C&D maiden. 2¼ lengths second of 8 to Skukuza in listed race at the Curragh prior to finishing ½-length second of 6 to Johan in Desmond Stakes at this C&D (good) 37 days ago, typically doing his best work late. Going the right way and could feature granted a truly run race.

Form: 7-1322

(10)

Comanche Brave⁵²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: Gavin Ryan| T: Donnacha O'Brien| OR: 111

11/1

Cork maiden winner was keen and didn't last home when fifth in the Irish 2000 Guineas. Did best of those held up with staying-on third of 15 in Group 3 Jersey at Ascot and made the most of a good opportunity when winning 5-runner conditions race at Naas (7f) in July. Worth another try over 1m.

Form: 24-2531

(4)

Expanded¹¹²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: C Soumillon| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 113

10/3

Showed promise as a 2-year-old, winning a maiden before finishing a close second in the Group 1 Dewhurst but didn't fire in either the English or Irish 2000 Guineas this season. Remains to be seen if he can recapture his juvenile form following a break.

Form: 12-99

(2)

Scorthy Champ⁷⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: D Browne McMonagle| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 110| C

6/1

Won the Group 1 National Stakes on final juvenile start. Well held in the Irish and English 2000 Guineas but ran his best race of the season when fifth of 6 in the Group 2 Prix Eugene Adam at Saint-Cloud (9.9f) in July, shaping as though the return to 1m will suit. Claims if he can build on that.

Form: 131-765

Non-Runners

(1)

Copacabana Sands¹³

Weight: 9-2| Age: 3

T: M O'Callaghan J: C Lee

Forecasts

Expanded (10/3), Alakazi (7/2), Skukuza (5/1), Scorthy Champ (6/1), Johan (7/1), Chicago Critic (15/2), Comanche Brave (11/1), Mutasarref (16/1), Copacabana Sands (25/1), Lord Massusus (28/1)

British trainers have a fair record in this race and Ed Dunlop's SKUKUZA may well claim another prize on these shores, having looked progressive when winning a listed race at Curragh in June prior to getting right back on track when a close third in a Group 3 at York. Johan was as good as ever when landing his breakthrough pattern success at the Curragh, while Mutasarref (1-1 in headgear) should go well with cheekpieces refitted. Of the rest, Comanche Brave could be interesting back over 1m.