Racecards
17:40 Curragh (IRE)
Invesco Pension Consultants Minstrel Stakes (Group 3) (Class 1)
- 5 Runners
- Distance: 7f
- Going: Good to Firm
- Surface: Turf
- €63,001 added
- Winner: €40,950
- 2nd: €11,970
- 3rd: €5,670
- 4th: €1,891
- Form 14-1734
- Age 5
- Weight 10-0
- Official Rating 115
- Trainer T Hogan
- Jockey W M Lordan
raced mainly 4th of the 5, progress under 2f out, soon 3rd, went 2nd and kept on without getting to winner inside final furlong
- Form 142445
- Age 6
- Weight 9-9
- Official Rating 104
- Trainer K J Condon
- Jockey S Foley
dwelt, raced last of the 5, went 4th under pressure without threatening inside final furlong
- Form 2-69818
- Age 3
- Weight 9-5
- Official Rating 109
- Trainer J S Bolger
- Jockey K J Manning
keen hold and led, strongly pressed and headed over 1 1/2f out, dropped to 3rd and kept on same pace inside final furlong
Darwin
24- Form 14-1
- Age 3
- Weight 9-2
- Trainer A P O'Brien
- Jockey Joseph O'Brien
soon tracked leader, niggled along over 2f out, led over 1 1/2f out, stayed on well
- Form 84-3167
- Age 3
- Weight 8-13
- Official Rating 97
soon tracked leaders in 3rd, under pressure in 4th 1 1/2f out, soon no impression, kept on same pace
- Form 4-20126
- Age 4
- Weight 9-12
- Official Rating 109
Verdict
Gordon Lord Byron arrives in fine form though he's just fallen short at a very high level in his last three races. He could hardly have run any better in the Diamond Jubilee behind Lethal Force and though most of his victories have been on Polytrack or testing ground he should have no problems with today's conditions. However, three-year-olds have a good record in this and DARWIN is a very exciting prospect for Ballydoyle. A winner in the USA for Todd Pletcher, he made his debut for new connections at Naas last month and though having little to beat was very impressive. Engaged in all the major events over a mile later in the season, he's taken to confirm the potential shown at Naas. Leitir Mor has only won twice but has done superbly for Jim Bolger, landing a Leopardstown Group 3 last month and generally running really well at a high level including when runner-up to his illustrious stablemate Dawn Approach in the Dewhurst.
Formwatch
Gordon Lord Byron (IRE) 15-2 (9-4) Raced far side, chased leaders, ridden disputing 2nd 1f out but no impression on winner, 4th and one pace final furlong, 4th of 18, 5l behind Lethal Force (9-4) at Royal Ascot 6f Grp 1 (1) gf in Jun.
Bold Thady Quill (IRE) 10-1 (9-12) Slowly into stride and towards rear, ridden and no impression 3f out, 7th 1 1/2f out, kept on one pace, 5th of 8, 10l behind Along Came Casey (9-4) at Leopardstown 1m Listed stks (1) gf in Jun.
Leitir Mor (IRE) 66-1 (9-0) Led, ridden 2f out, headed approaching final furlong, soon weakened, 8th of 9, 13l behind Dawn Approach (9-0) at Royal Ascot 1m 3yo Grp 1 (1) gd in Jun.
Darwin 11-10fav (9-10) Settled in 3rd, smooth headway on outer to lead 1 1/2f out, pushed out and stayed on well inside final furlong, comfortably, won at Naas 1m 3yo stk gf in Jun beating Fighter Squadron (9-3) by 2 1/4l, 3 ran.
True Verdict (IRE) 25-1 (9-0) Dwelt and in rear, ridden entering straight, moderate 7th on inner 2f out, no impression, 7th of 9, 6l behind Fiesolana (9-11) at Fairyhouse 7f flls Group 3 stks (1) gd.
Custom Cut (IRE) 8-1 (9-8) Led, ridden and headed over 1f out, weakened final furlong, 6th of 7, 8l behind Gregorian (9-5) at Epsom Downs 1m Grp 3 (1) gs in May.