Racecards
14:35 Curragh (IRE)
Keeneland Royal Whip Stakes (Group 2)
- 6 Runners
- Distance: 1m 2f
- Going: Good to Yielding (Round Course: Good)
- Surface: Turf
- €95,001 added
- Winner: €57,150
- 2nd: €18,050
- 3rd: €8,550
- 4th: €2,850
- Form 41351-5
- Age 4
- Weight 9-10
- Official Rating 111
- Trainer T Collins
- Jockey P J Smullen
tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden and no impression from over 1f out, kept on one pace
- Form 115112
- Age 3
- Weight 9-1
- Official Rating 114
- Trainer J S Bolger
- Jockey K J Manning
held up in rear, niggled along entering straight, headway on outer to lead under 2f out, soon edged right, driven out and kept on well final furlong
- Form 21-5
- Age 3
- Weight 9-1
- Trainer J M Oxx
- Jockey Johnny Murtagh
soon led, joined halfway, driven along and headed under 2f out, 3rd when checked over 1f out, switched left and kept on one pace final furlong
- Form 15-1552
- Age 3
- Weight 9-1
- Official Rating 111
- Trainer K Prendergast
- Jockey D P McDonogh
broke well and soon settled in 4th, headway to dispute briefly 2f out, soon headed and edged right, kept on under pressure without matching winner
- Form 1-3
- Age 3
- Weight 9-1
- Official Rating 108
- Trainer T Stack
- Jockey W M Lordan
settled on inner mainly 5th, not clear run early staright, kept on same pace final furlong without threatening first 2
- Form 1-27956
- Age 3
- Weight 8-12
- Official Rating 106
- Trainer A P O'Brien
- Jockey C O'Donoghue
tracked leader in 2nd, headway to dispute lead from halfway, ridden and headed when slightly checked under 2f out, soon no extra
Verdict
Four-year-olds have won this for the past two years but Italian Group 1 winner Aoife Alainn looks up against it as she needs testing conditions. BANIMPIRE has been one of the great success stories of the season having already won five times and producing her best run in defeat when just touched off by Blue Bunting in the Irish Oaks here with Gemstone behind. She will take the world of beating though Dunboyne Express has done well at the highest level and wasn't beaten far in the Irish Derby. He didn't look at his best on soft ground last time and connections will be hoping the rain stays away.
Formwatch
Aoife Alainn (IRE) 20-1 (9-10) Towards rear, never a factor, no impression in 7th early straight, kept on one pace from over 1f out without threatening, 5th of 7, 15l behind Misty For Me (8-12) at Curragh 1m 2f flls Grp 1 (1) gs in Jun.
Banimpire (IRE) 8-1 (9-0) Settled behind leaders, moderate 5th halfway, headway into 3rd 3f out, led 2f out, ridden over 1f out, strongly pressed and kept on final furlong, headed on line, 2nd of 9, shd behind Blue Bunting (9-0) at Curragh 1m 4f 3yo Fll Grp 1 (1) in Jul.
Cocozza (USA) 15-8fav (9-6) Chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden in 6th 2 out, no extra over 1f out, kept on same pace, 5th of 9, 4l behind Taameer (9-7) at Naas 1m stks gd in Jul.
Dunboyne Express (IRE) 7-2 (9-3) Settled in rear, closer and niggled along approaching straight, brought wide towards stands' side and ridden in 3rd early straight, kept on same pace final furlong but no chance with winner, 2nd of 4, 4 1/2l behind Famous Name (9-12) at Leopardstown 1m 1f Grp 3 (1) sft in Jul.
Mutahadee (IRE) 9-2 (9-6) Mid-division, 7th halfway, ridden into 5th 1f out, kept on well final furlong, just held, 3rd of 9, hd behind Taameer (9-7) at Naas 1m stks gd in Jul.
Gemstone (IRE) 80-1 (9-0) Held up towards rear, headway into 7th 3f out, ridden in 6th 2f out, no impression over 1f out, kept on same pace, 6th of 9, 6l behind Blue Bunting (9-0) at Curragh 1m 4f 3yo Fll Grp 1 (1) in Jul.