Racecards
14:35 Curragh (IRE)
Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Maiden
- 12 Runners
- Distance: 1m
- Going: Good to Yielding
- Surface: Turf
- €16,500 added
- Winner: €11,386
- 2nd: €2,640
- 3rd: €1,154
- 4th: €660
- Age 2
- Weight 9-5
- Trainer K Prendergast
- Jockey C D Hayes
slowly into stride, soon mid-division, 7th halfway, ridden in 6th and no impression 2f out, no extra over 1f out
- Age 2
- Weight 9-5
- Trainer J P Murtagh
- Jockey G F Carroll
towards rear, ridden 3f out, moderate 9th over 1f out, kept on final furlong
- Form 4
- Age 2
- Weight 9-5
- Trainer J S Bolger
- Jockey K J Manning
chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden into close 2nd 2f out, no impression on winner over 1f out, dropped to 3rd inside final furlong, kept on same pace
- Age 2
- Weight 9-5
- Trainer D K Weld
- Jockey P J Smullen
mid-division, 8th halfway, ridden over 2f out, 6th 1 1/2f out, no extra over 1f out
- Form 2
- Age 2
- Weight 9-5
- Trainer A P O'Brien
- Jockey Joseph O'Brien
tracked leaders, 5th halfway, closer in 4th 2f out, ridden to lead over 1 1/2f out, stretched clear final furlong, impressive
- Form 7
- Age 2
- Weight 9-5
- Trainer P J Prendergast
- Jockey D P McDonogh
chased leaders, 4th halfway, progress into 2nd over 3f out, ridden in 3rd 2f out, kept on same pace to 2nd inside final furlong, no chance with winner
- Age 2
- Weight 9-5
- Trainer J P Murtagh
- Jockey F Lynch
mid-division, ridden and no impression 3f out
- Form 00
- Age 2
- Weight 9-5
- Trainer P D Deegan
- Jockey C O'Donoghue
soon led, ridden over 3f out, headed over 1 1/2f out, no extra in 4th 1f out, kept on one pace
- Age 2
- Weight 9-5
- Trainer J S Bolger
- Jockey R P Whelan
always towards rear, ridden halfway, no impression 3f out
- Age 2
- Weight 9-5
- Trainer J P Murtagh
- Jockey N G McCullagh
chased leaders, 6th halfway, ridden in 5th and no impression 2f out, kept on same pace from over 1f out
- Form 09
- Age 2
- Weight 9-5
- Trainer B W Duke
- Jockey R P Cleary
prominent, soon chased leader, 2nd halfway, ridden and no extra over 3f out, weakened
- Age 2
- Weight 9-0
- Trainer J T Gorman
- Jockey L F Roche
slowly into stride, towards rear, ridden 3f out, no impression in 8th 2f out, kept on one pace
In depth
Verdict
PORTAGE didn't attract much support on his debut at the Curragh but caught the eye with a very pleasing performance. Held up for much of the way, he came through late to snatch second behind East India and the longer trip is certain to be in his favour. He may be good enough to go one better though there'll be similar thoughts about John F Kennedy, who couldn't cope with the more-experienced Hall Of Fame at Leopardstown but will certainly improve for the run. Jim Bolger trained that winner and has two entered here with the once-raced Dunquin very much respected after a fair run over 6f at the Curragh in June, a trip that will not have played to the son of Cape Cross's strengths. Dermot Weld's Intransive, the brother of a winner and half-brother to six others, could prove best of some interesting newcomers.
Formwatch
Aared (IRE) Shamardal colt out of Adaala.
Bosphorus Prince (IRE) Hurricane Run colt out of Bosphorus Queen.
Dunquin (IRE) 7-1 (9-5) Took keen hold, held up, 9th halfway, soon pushed along, 6th 2f out, soon carried a little wide, almost on terms 1f out, no extra and kept on same pace inside final furlong, 4th of 11, 4l behind Accepted (9-5) at Curragh 6f 2yo mdn gf in Jun.
Intransive Dansili colt out of Imroz.
John F Kennedy (IRE) 8-11fav (9-5) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, pushed along approaching straight and no impression on winner over 1f out, 2nd 150 yards out, kept on one pace, 2nd of 9, 2 1/2l behind Hall Of Fame (9-5) at Leopardstown 1m 2yo mdn gf in Jul.
Pincode (IRE) 16-1 (9-5) Mid-division, 5th 3f out and soon ridden, no impression from over 1f out, 7th of 10, 9l behind Convergence (9-2) at Leopardstown 7f 2yo mdn gd in Jun.
Rainbow Tiger King's Best colt out of Purple Tiger.
Royal Distinction 50-1 (9-5) Towards rear, never a factor, kept on one pace from over 1f out, 11th of 15, 11l behind Parish Boy (9-5) at Naas 7f 2yo mdn.
Sun Focus (IRE) 10-1 (9-5) Chased leaders, 2nd 3f out, soon ridden, weakened from 1 1/2f out, 10th of 11, 11l behind Gleneagles (9-5) at Curragh 7f mdn stks gf in Jun.
The Last Marju (IRE) Marju colt out of Celestial Dream.
Verbal Stiletto (IRE) 66-1 (8-12) Always towards rear, never a factor, 9th of 10, 19l behind Battle Of Marathon (9-5) at Leopardstown 6f 2yo mdn gf in Jun.
Mademoiselle Penny (IRE) Lawman filly out of Billys Dream.
Portage (IRE) 14-1 (9-5) Dwelt and held up in 9th, pushed along halfway, 8th 2f out, soon ridden, went 4th 1f out, stayed on well to go 2nd close home, pressed winner to line, 2nd of 10, nk behind East India (9-5) at Curragh 7f 2yo mdn gf in Jul.