Racecards
18:30 Curragh (IRE)
Dubai Duty Free Full Of Surprises Railway Stakes (Group 2) (Class 1)
- 6 Runners
- Distance: 6f
- Going: Soft, Heavy in places
- Surface: Turf
- €95,000 added
- Winner: €57,150
- 2nd: €18,050
- 3rd: €8,550
- 4th: €2,850
- Form 31
- Age 2
- Weight 9-3
- Trainer T Stack
- Jockey W M Lordan
chased leaders in 5th, no extra from well over 1f out
- Form 43
- Age 2
- Weight 9-3
- Trainer M R Channon
- Jockey P J Smullen
dwelt and settled in rear, went 4th on outer 2f out, soon ridden and kept on same pace inside final furlong
- Form 13
- Age 2
- Weight 9-3
- Trainer A P O'Brien
- Jockey Joseph O'Brien
tracked leaders in 4th, quickened between horses to lead 1f out, soon strongly pressed and headed 100 yards out, no extra
- Form 51
- Age 2
- Weight 9-3
- Trainer A P O'Brien
- Jockey J A Heffernan
tracked leader on stands rail, 2nd halfway, ridden and no extra under 2f out, weakened
- Form 31
- Age 2
- Weight 9-3
tracked leaders on outer in 3rd, 2nd and ridden 2f out, edged left under pressure and led 100 yards out, kept on best
- Form 95
- Age 2
- Weight 9-3
led, driven along 2f out and headed 1f out, no extra in 3rd final furlong, kept on one pace
Verdict
This has gone to UK trainers for the past two years but Aidan O'Brien had won seven of the previous eight with the likes of Holy Roman Emperor and Master Craftsman. He's doubly represented here but CRISTOFORO COLOMBO will start at very short odds after his excellent run in the Coventry Stakes and should have few problems though he has never faced ground this testing. Stablemate Pedro The Great made his debut behind Dawn Approach at Navan before scoring impressively on soft going at Leopardstown and could prove be the beneficiary if the favourite doesn't handle the conditions. Mick Channon's Ayaar has plenty to find on what he's shown to date but Probably is very progressive and hardly broke sweat to land his maiden at Limerick.
Formwatch
Almanack 4-5fav (9-5) Soon led and made virtually all, ridden and kept on well final furlong, won at Dundalk 5f 2yo mdn stks pol in May beating Truly Madly (9-0) by 1 3/4l, 5 ran.
Ayaar (IRE) 9-4fav (9-0) Tracked leader, led 5f out, ridden and headed over 1f out, no impression on winner and lost 2nd well inside final furlong, 3rd of 10, 4l behind Toronado (9-0) at Newbury 6f 2yo mdn (4) gs.
Cristoforo Colombo (USA) 13-2 (9-1) In touch, ridden and headway over 1f out, chased winner just inside final furlong, lost 2nd near finish, 3rd of 22, 1l behind Dawn Approach (9-1) at Royal Ascot 6f 2yo Grp 2 (1) gd.
Pedro The Great (USA) Evensfav (9-5) Broke well and made all, ridden over 1f out and stayed on well to draw clear, won at Leopardstown 6f 2yo mdn sft beating Wexford Opera (9-5) by 4 1/2l, 6 ran.
Probably (IRE) 1-2fav (9-5) Led early, tracked leader, challenged from over 2f out, soon on terms, in front over 1f out and stayed on well to assert inside final furlong, won at Limerick 7f 2yo mdn gd beating Kingston Jamaica (9-5) by 2l, 7 ran.
Tiger Stripes 9-4fav (8-13) Chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden into 3rd 2f out, no extra over 1f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Boston Rocker (9-0) at Fairyhouse 6f 2yo mdn aut gd.
Scotland Forever (IRE) 33-1 (9-0) Hung right throughout, outpaced and never on terms, 6th of 7, 10l behind Chilworth Icon (9-0) at Epsom Downs 6f Listed stks 2yo (1) gf.