Racecards
14:55 Curragh (IRE)
Sapphire Stakes (Group 2) (Class 1)
- 7 Runners
- Distance: 5f
- Going: Good to Firm
- Surface: Turf
- €110,000 added
- Winner: €64,900
- 2nd: €20,900
- 3rd: €9,900
- 4th: €4,400
- Form 066012
- Age 9
- Weight 9-7
- Official Rating 114
prominent, soon led, headed over 2f out, ridden over 1f out, kept on, not trouble winner
- Form 78-4328
- Age 5
- Weight 9-7
- Official Rating 111
- Trainer A P O'Brien
- Jockey D O'Brien
chased leader, 5th halfway, ridden and dropped to 6th 1f out, no extra
- Form 717-222
- Age 4
- Weight 9-4
- Official Rating 100
- Trainer H De Bromhead
- Jockey D P McDonogh
in touch, 3rd halfway, under pressure and ridden in 4th over 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong, dropped to 5th close home
- Form 11-2143
- Age 4
- Weight 9-4
- Official Rating 110
chased leader, 4th halfway, ridden in 3rd over 1f out, kept on without threatening final furlong
- Form 127-101
- Age 3
- Weight 9-3
- Official Rating 104
- Trainer A P O'Brien
- Jockey R L Moore
held up towards rear, 6th halfway, ridden and no impression in 5th 1f out, kept on same pace, dropped to 6th closing stages
- Form 7131-00
- Age 3
- Weight 9-3
- Official Rating 103
- Trainer A P O'Brien
- Jockey J A Heffernan
rear, 7th halfway, switched left 2f out, ran on well final furlong to 4th close home, never nearer
- Form 1122-56
- Age 3
- Weight 9-3
- Official Rating 111
- Trainer K R Burke
- Jockey P J McDonald
led early, soon tracked leader in 2nd, improved to lead over 2f out, ridden 1f out, kept on strongly, driven out
Verdict
UK raiders have a tremendous record in this and Caspian Prince beat the odds-on Marsha to win it last year though has changed stables. He remains in top form and was conceding Battle Of Jericho 15lb when beaten a short-head in a lucrative handicap here three weeks ago and shouldn't have too many problems reversing the form on these terms. The latter's yard is also represented by Declarationofpeace, who has finished last on both starts this season, and Washington DC, a neck second to Battash in Haydock's Temple Stakes before mid-division in the King's Stand Stakes when MABS CROSS (NAP) was third. The latter looks the pick on that latest form and holds Havana Grey on his last two runs though it would be no surprise to see a big run from Kevin Ryan's three-year-old.
Formwatch
Caspian Prince (IRE) 12-1 (10-7) Soon disputed lead, headed 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong, just failed, 2nd of 17, shd behind Battle Of Jericho (8-13) at Curragh 5f hcp gf in Jun.
Washington Dc (IRE) 12-1 (9-4) In rear, ridden over 1f out, kept on inside final furlong, not trouble leaders, 8th of 14, 8 1/4l behind Blue Point (9-4) at Ascot 5f Grp 1 stks (1) gf in Jun.
Gorane (IRE) 7-1 (9-6) Soon prominent and raced near side, 2nd before halfway, pushed along 2f out, soon not match winner in 3rd, kept on inside final furlong into 2nd again on line, 2nd of 7, 1 1/4l behind Actress (9-1) at Curragh 6f Grp 3 fll stks (1) gf in Jun.
Mabs Cross 20-1 (9-1) In touch, ridden and headway 2f out, stayed on towards finish, 3rd of 14, 2l behind Blue Point (9-4) at Ascot 5f Grp 1 stks (1) gf in Jun.
Battle Of Jericho (USA) 7-1 (8-13) Dwelt, held up, 13th halfway, soon progress, led 1f out, kept on well inside final furlong, just held on, won at Curragh 5f hcp gf in Jun beating Caspian Prince (10-7) by shd, 17 ran.
Declarationofpeace (USA) 66-1 (8-12) Always in rear, last of 14, 21 1/4l behind Blue Point (9-4) at Ascot 5f Grp 1 stks (1) gf in Jun.
Havana Grey 16-1 (8-10) Close up centre, effort over 1f out, kept on same pace, 6th of 11, 4 1/4l behind Battaash (9-9) at Haydock 5f Grp 2 stks (1) gd in May.