Welcome to our new column from Scott Armstrong of The Sportsman, who will be providing a rundown of all the best weekend racing action every Friday.
Scott is a proven racing expert, thanks to his work at http://www.thesportsman.org.uk/ and has a keen eye for racing value, especially in the big feature races.
UK racing hits a little lull over the course of the weekend after last week’s Glorious Goodwood meeting and therefore it’s to Ireland I turn for the weekends feature race. The six furlong Keeneland Phoenix Stakes contest for two year old fillies is worth a purse of 190,000 euros. Staged at the country’s premier racecourse the Curragh there is also some mouth-watering racing in prospect on the supporting card.
The Keeneland Phoenix Stakes witnesses Aidan O’Brien’s unbeaten Power as current favourite, best priced at 2-1. The Ballydoyle trainer has won this Group One race for two-year-olds seven times from the last nine renewals finishing second on both other occasions . O’Brien is gunning for the crown again, accounting for half the field . Power has the best credentials with a hat-trick of wins, the latest in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot, and is joined by stable mates: After, Among Equals, Boris Grigoriev, Reply and Homecoming Queen.
Power displayed he’s a worthy favourite with his win in the Group 2 Coventry Stakes at Ascot in June where he ran on strongly to defeat a highly talented field. Power’s most impressive quality has been his willingness to battle on gamely during his races, displaying a fiery tenacity. It’s well versed that Ladbrokes have decent contacts with the powerful O’Brien operation and their odds for Power will be worth a second look in comparison with other bookmakers’ prices. Should they be lowest odds on Power or joint lowest then that can provide a clue in itself.
Frederick Engels is second in the betting lists at 10-3. Trainer David Brown is looking forward to seeing his charge test himself at Group One level though good ground is a necessity. The youngster left a vivid impression when winning the Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot with plenty in hand and followed up in impressive fashion when running on strongly to land the July Stakes at Newmarket. Frederick Engels has the added advantage of having Johnny Murtagh sitting on top and no rider knows the Curragh track better.
Third favourite Lilbourne Lad is a best priced 4-1. Richard Hannon’s colt won the Railway Stakes last month making it a record of three wins from his four starts. Lilbourne Lad also demonstrated his liking for the course when winning the Group 2 Railway Stakes last month. He is another horse who has displayed admirable tenacity when winning and though not without a chance he will find it tougher competing against Power and Frederick Engels.
Reply looks to be second choice for Aidan O’Brien and this colt stepped up on his debut run when winning a maiden at the Curragh back in May. Reply could prove progressive but Power should be the main player from the O’Brien yard.
Tough As Nails has suffered defeat at the hands of both Power and Lilbourne Lad at the Curragh though only went down a short head to Power and three quarters of a length to the British raider. Trainer Michael Mulvany speaks highly of Tough As Nails and believes him to be in better physical shape than when touched off by Power in the Coventry Stakes. At odds of 10-1 with Victor Chandler he could offer the best each-way value, especially if there’s rain in the skies.
Mick Channon’s Gatepost has been attracting support at 8-1. Winner of his first two starts, he was 2 ¼ lengths behind Power in the Coventry Stakes and would need to have progressed to reverse the form.
Frederick Engels is a big danger to Power should he get his requisite good ground, but my preference is for Aidan O’Briens star to remain unbeaten with Tough As Nails the each-way call at 10-1.
Medicean Man – One To Watch
In the UK there are two Group 3 races for fillies – the Betfred Rose of Lancaster Stakes at Haydock and the Sweet Solera Stakes at Newmarket but it’s the Class 2 Shergar Cup Dash handicap over five furlongs where I can see Medicean Man running a big race for handler Jeremy Gask.
Whatever the merits of Shergar Cup day itself this is a decent Class 2 handicap for sprinters. I had pencilled in Medicean Man as a leading contender for the Stewards Cup before Gask decided to withdraw his charge and wait for this renewal. His decision could be a wise one as the Shergar Cup offers decent prize money and Medicean Man loves this track having won his last two races at Ascot over this minimum distance. The five year old gelding runs best when fresh as proven by his six career wins from nine when returning to the track within 15 days. There are dangers of course lurking in the field with David Nicholls the King of the trainers when it comes to sprints represented by Mister Manannan and Eric Alston another shrewd trainer over the short distances holding two entries with chances. Mister Manannan is currently a 12-1 shot having failed to fire this season therefore he is dropping to a decent mark should he put his best foot forward.
In conclusion, despite being burdened with top weight Medicean Man looks the one to beat at current odds of 10-3 with Totesport and Betfred.