It’s Ireland’s richest weekend, with some of the biggest prizes on offer and chance to write themselves into the history books, alongside legends of the games. Today we’re at The Curragh for the two-year-old horses. The feature is the Vincent O’Brien National Stakes, to crown the two-year-old champion of the year.
Put To Sleep
3:00 – Moyglare Stud Stakes (GROUP ONE) – Bedtime Story @ 10/11 (General)
If there’s any two-year-old that’s been impressive this season, it’s Bedtime Story. Four races and four wins, including an all dominant victory at Royal Ascot. However she was made to work by stablemate Exactly last time out over C&D, but is bred to go a bit further. She certainly has to be considered for each classic next season and can’t go opposed here.
Repeat Performance
3:35 – Flying Five Stakes (GROUP ONE) – Bradsell @ 7/4 (Boylesports)
Bradsell was extremely impressive last time out in the Nunthorpe Stake at York and seems to have become a new horse sine his mid-season injury. He finished seventh in this race last year, but call that a blip and look at the performances from this season. He is top rated too, and clearly the one to beat. Just be mindful of his form at the Curragh, where he hasn’t been placed.
That could leave the door open for Believing, who is yet to win a Group One in her career. However, her best result of her career did come over C&D when beating Beautiful Diamond in the Group Two Sapphire Stakes. She’s then lost by three-quarters of a length each time since, when placed in the King George at Goodwood and the Nunthorpe at York. Despite being second favourite, she is the other to keep onside. Will be worth having the reverse forecast as well. 3/1 (BetVictor).
Champion City
4:10 – Vincent O’Brien National Stakes (GROUP ONE) – Aomori City @ 9/2 (William Hill, Boylesports)
It’s surprising that Henri Matisse is favourite. Yes he’s three from three, but hasn’t impressed in any of his three runs, winning at most by a length. Aomori City, on the other hand, has won by more than a length and has the form backed up well, with Cool Hoof Luke. With Charlie Appleby winning this race three times in the last six years, it might be another British champion, in a rather weak National Stakes.
The Stayers Champion
4:45 – Irish St Leger (GROUP ONE) – Kyprios @ 8/11 (General)
There’s only one horse to consider. Thanks to Sweet William winning the Doncaster Cup on Friday, Kyprios’ form has been boosted no end. Not that it needed to, since he is an incredible racehorse. Let’s not forget that this time last year we were fearing we might never see him on the track again. But now he is, and out for vengeance.
And don’t forget Willie’s in the bumper. Vauban produced a career best on the flat to win at York last time out. And with the form boosted by Grosvenor Square in the Curragh Cup back in July too, Vauban can have a crack at his first flat Group One in his native isle. But it will be a struggle against the very best. 7/1 (BetVictor, Boylesports).
The very best of luck!
