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Racecards

16:15 Curragh (IRE)

Goffs Vincent O'Brien National Stakes (Group 1) (Class 1)

  • 5 Runners
  • Distance: 7f
  • Going: Good
  • Surface: Turf
  • €300,000 added
  • Winner: €174,000
  • 2nd: €57,000
  • 3rd: €27,000
  • 4th: €9,000
Weighed In
  • Winning Time: 1m 29.89s
  • Off Time: 16:17:38
  • 5 Ran
1(4)
Silk - Dark Blue
  • Form 121
  • Age 2
  • Weight 9-3
  • Official Rating 117

dwelt, raced in 4th, took keen hold on outer, still travelling smoothly and challenged from 2f out, led 1f out, pushed out to assert final furlong

3(6)
Silk - Royal Blue, Red cap
13/2
  • Form 11315
  • Age 2
  • Weight 9-3
  • Official Rating 110

took keen hold early, raced in 2nd, challenged over 3f out and soon on terms, led over 2f out, soon joined, headed and one pace 1f out

4(2)
Silk - Royal blue
  • Form 11
  • Age 2
  • Weight 9-3
  • Official Rating 106

dwelt, in rear, pushed along 3f out, no impression from 2f out, kept on same pace into 4th on line

5(1)
Silk - Royal blue, dark blue seams, royal blue sleeves, white cap
  • Form 211
  • Age 2
  • Weight 9-3
  • Official Rating 110

took keen hold early, raced in 3rd, pushed along from 3f out, challenged 2f out, soon on terms, headed 1f out, one pace final furlong

7(3)
Silk - Pink
14/1
  • Form 8114
  • Age 2
  • Weight 9-3
  • Official Rating 111

soon led, pushed along 3f out and joined, headed over 2f out, no extra in 4th from over 1f out, dropped to last on line

2(5)
NR
12/1
  • Form 312
  • Age 2
  • Weight 9-3
  • Official Rating 108

6(7)
NR
200/1
  • Form 9
  • Age 2
  • Weight 9-3

Previous results

In depth

Verdict

Aidan O'Brien has won this with top-class performers such as Mastercraftsman and Gleneagles and has three engaged this time with AIR FORCE BLUE looking the outstanding candidate as he had stablemate Painted Cliffs back in fourth when a comfortable winner of the Phoenix Stakes here last month. He looks a classic hope for next season but will need to see off the attentions of Herald The Dawn, whose Futurity victory over Now Or Never could get a major boost in the previous race. Final Frontier has done everything right so far including landing a Group 3 here in July but he'll need to produce another gear for this.

Formwatch

Air Force Blue (USA) 9-4 (9-3) Held up in 5th, travelling well on stands' side 2f out, ridden and good headway to lead over 1f out, stayed on well final furlong, won at Curragh 6f 2yo Grp 1 (1) in Aug beating Washington Dc (9-3) by 2l, 7 ran.

Birchwood (IRE) 10-3fav (9-4) Tracked leaders, not clear run over 2f out, soon switched right, hampered and squeezed out over 1f out, switched left inside final furlong, ran on, unable to challenge, 5th of 8, 2 1/4l behind Galileo Gold (9-1) at Goodwood 7f 2yo Grp 2 (1) gs in Jul.

Final Frontier (IRE) 5-6fav (9-3) Dwelt, in rear, pushed along from halfway, improved on outer 2f out, led over 1f out, pressed inside final furlong, stayed on well, won at Curragh 6f 2yo Grp 3 (1) gd in Jul beating Miss Katie Mae (9-0) by nk, 5 ran.

Herald The Dawn (IRE) 6-4 (9-3) Tracked leaders in 3rd, a little keen, pushed along over 2f out in 2nd, led well inside final furlong, stayed on best, won at Curragh 7f 2yo Grp 2 (1) in Aug beating Now Or Never (9-0) by 1 1/4l, 4 ran.

Painted Cliffs (IRE) 11-2 (9-3) Chased leaders, ridden in 3rd 2f out, 5th 1f out, no extra final furlong, 4th of 7, 4l behind Air Force Blue (9-3) at Curragh 6f 2yo Grp 1 (1) in Aug.

Air Vice Marshal (USA) 11-4fav (9-1) Held up, headway over 2f out, ridden to chase winner over 1f out, kept on towards finish, 2nd of 8, 1l behind Birchwood (9-1) at Newmarket 7f 2yo Grp 2 (1) gf in Jul.

My Brother (IRE) 66-1 (9-5) Edged right out of stalls, soon raced in 4th, pushed along halfway, pushed along again 2f out, dropped to 8th 1f out and no impression, one pace, 9th of 11, 11l behind Rockaway Valley (9-5) at Curragh 6f 2yo mdn in Jun.