Racecards
15:40 Curragh (IRE)
Www.thetote.com Minstrel Stakes (group 3) (Class 1)
- 9 Runners
- Distance: 7f
- Going: Good (Straight Course: Good to Yielding)
- Surface: Turf
- €60,000 added
- Form 41/3731-
- Age 6
- Weight 9-12
- Official Rating 115
- Trainer J Noseda
- Jockey W J Supple
chased leaders, 5th halfway, ridden in 6th 2f out, no impression over 1f out, kept on same pace
- Form 10-4250
- Age 7
- Weight 9-12
- Official Rating 104
- Trainer E Lynam
- Jockey P J Smullen
led, headed halfway, ridden in 2nd 2f out, no impression leader 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
- Form 494166
- Age 6
- Weight 9-10
- Official Rating 99
mid-division, 6th halfway, ridden in 5th 2f out, no extra in 7th 1f out, kept on one pace
- Form 333281
- Age 4
- Weight 9-7
- Official Rating 106
- Trainer L McAteer
- Jockey P Shanahan
chased leaders in 3rd, ridden 2 1/2f out, no extra in 4th 2f out, kept on same pace
- Form 101-310
- Age 4
- Weight 9-7
- Official Rating 100
- Trainer D Marnane
- Jockey C O'Donoghue
chased leaders in 4th, ridden into 3rd 2f out, no impression leaders, kept on same pace
- Form 2412-28
- Age 4
- Weight 9-7
- Official Rating 109
- Trainer J M Oxx
- Jockey Fran Berry
mid-division, 7th halfway, ridden 2 1/2f out, stayed on to moderate 5th 1f out, kept on same pace
- Form 81-6127
- Age 3
- Weight 9-5
- Official Rating 115
- Trainer J S Bolger
- Jockey K J Manning
towards rear for most, never a factor
- Form 54-0401
- Age 3
- Weight 9-0
- Official Rating 103
- Trainer A P O'Brien
- Jockey Johnny Murtagh
chased leader in 2nd, improved to lead halfway, ridden and kept on well from over 1f out
- Form 3-71375
- Age 3
- Weight 9-0
- Official Rating 100
- Trainer K Prendergast
- Jockey Declan McDonogh
always towards rear
Previous results
In depth
Verdict
Free Judgement, runner-up to Canford Cliffs in the 2000 Guineas here, was a bitter disappointment in the Jersey Stakes subsequently and is best watched here. Air Chief Marshal had little more than an exercise gallop at Dundalk and though he will face a far sterner test here his confidence will have been restored and he must be considered. UK trainers have a good record in this and ARABIAN GLEAM gets the nod despite a penalty for landing the Group 2 Challenge Stakes at Newmarket. He has had a couple of battles with Duff over the years and there is nothing between them though Edward Lynam has put blinkers on the seven-year-old after disappointing here and at Leopardstown.
Formwatch
Arabian Gleam 7-1 (9-3) Prominent, led entering final 2f, ridden out, won at Newmarket 7f Grp 2 (1) gd in Oct beating Ouqba (9-1) by nk, 9 ran.
Duff (IRE) 12-1 (10-0) Prominent on stands' side, ridden 2f out, 6th 1f out, no extra, 10th of 25, 11l behind Invincible Ash (9-3) at Curragh 6f hcp gf in Jun.
Six of Hearts 12-1 (9-11) Held up, some progress into 6th entering straight, no impression from 2f out, 6th of 8, 9l behind Croisultan (9-6) at Fairyhouse 6f Listed stks (1) gf.
Croisultan (IRE) 5-1 (9-6) Tracked leaders in 3rd, ridden 2f out, challenged final furlong, stayed on well to lead close home, won at Fairyhouse 6f Listed stks (1) gf beating Rock Jock (9-1) by 3/4l, 8 ran.
Dandy Boy (ITY) 8-1fav (9-0) Raced centre, with group leader, led group halfway, not on terms when edged right to main group 3f out, weakened over 1f out, 21st of 29, 18l behind Invisible Man (8-9) at Royal Ascot 1m hcp (2) gf in Jun.
Rayeni (IRE) 15-8fav (9-4) Settled in mid-division on inner, 6th 3f out, not much room from early straight, no headway when hampered 1f out, 8th of 9, 4 1/2l behind Recharge (9-1) at Leopardstown 1m Listed stks gd in Jun.
Free Judgement (USA) 9-2 (9-4) Chased leaders, ridden over 2f out, weakened over 1f out, 7th of 13, 10l behind Rainfall (8-12) at Royal Ascot 7f 3yo Grp 3 (1) gf in Jun.
Air Chief Marshal (IRE) 1-4fav (8-13) Tracked leader, headway to dispute entering straight, led over 2f out, clear well over 1f out, cruised further clear inside final furlong, very easily, won at Dundalk 7f 3yo stks pol beating One Set (9-3) by 15l, 4 ran.
Zayaan 9-4fav (9-4) Chased leaders, ridden 2f out, 4th 1 1/2f out, no extra final furlong, 5th of 7, 3 1/2l behind Queen Of Troy (8-7) at Cork 6f stks gf in Jun.