Racecards
15:45 Curragh (IRE)
Kilfrush Stud Royal Whip Stakes (Group 3) (Class 1)
- 7 Runners
- Distance: 1m 2f
- Going: Yielding
- Surface: Turf
- €65,000 added
- Winner: €38,351
- 2nd: €12,350
- 3rd: €5,849
- 4th: €2,600
- Form 2511-31
- Age 5
- Weight 10-0
- Official Rating 123
- Trainer D K Weld
- Jockey P J Smullen
chased leader in 2nd throughout, ridden 2f out, kept on well under pressure inside final furlong, not reach winner
- Form 222-391
- Age 4
- Weight 9-9
- Official Rating 116
- Trainer G M Lyons
- Jockey Colin Keane
chased leaders in 4th, dropped to 6th briefly 3f out, ridden in 5th 2f out, 3rd briefly 1f out, soon no impression in 4th, dropped to 5th near line
- Form 107-223
- Age 4
- Weight 9-9
- Official Rating 114
- Trainer K J Condon
- Jockey S Foley
made all, ridden clear from 2f out, reduced advantage inside final furlong, stayed on close home
- Form 36-4156
- Age 5
- Weight 9-9
- Official Rating 96
- Trainer D K Weld
- Jockey Declan McDonogh
chased leaders in 5th, ridden 3f out, soon weakened
- Form 11-5106
- Age 3
- Weight 9-4
- Official Rating 109
- Trainer J S Bolger
- Jockey K J Manning
chased leaders in 3rd, ridden in 3rd on outer over 2f out, 4th 1f out, kept on without threatening leaders to go 3rd again close home
- Form 112
- Age 3
- Weight 9-4
- Official Rating 121
- Trainer A P O'Brien
- Jockey J A Heffernan
slowly into stride, held up in last, headway into 4th on outer 3f out, ridden in 5th on outer 2f out, 5th 1f out, kept on without threatening leaders to go 4th near line
Previous results
In depth
Verdict
After beating stable-companion Port Douglas less than convincingly in the Chester Vase, US ARMY RANGER went to Epsom, and though unable to get to Harzand still did enough to finish runner-up with Idaho and Wings Of Desire behind. This year's Blue Riband looks a vintage renewal so the son of Galileo out of the Irish Oaks winner Moonstone should take this before heading for bigger targets. Fascinating Rock has to be a real threat despite a penalty for his brilliant victory over Found in the Tattersalls Gold Cup. This is his trip and he has a pacemaker to ensure a sound gallop. Endless Drama didn't have much to do to score at Naas and is stepping up to this trip for the first time while Success Days was behind Fascinating Rock last time.
Formwatch
Fascinating Rock (IRE) 9-4 (9-3) Tracked leader, progress to lead 2 1/2f out, ridden over 1f out and stayed on well inside final furlong, won at Curragh 1m 2f Grp 1 (1) Yielding - Soft in May beating Found (9-0) by 3 3/4l, 6 ran.
Endless Drama (IRE) 1-3fav (9-10) Settled 3rd, pushed along to lead over 1f out, kept on strongly final furlong, comfortably, won at Naas 1m gd in Jul beating General Macarthur (9-6) by 2 1/2l, 5 ran.
Success Days (IRE) 8-1 (9-3) Led, headed entering straight and brought left to race alone on stands' side, ridden in 4th under 2f out, kept on one pace final furlong, 3rd of 6, 5 1/4l behind Fascinating Rock (9-3) at Curragh 1m 2f Grp 1 (1) Yielding - Soft in May.
The Steward (USA) 150-1 (9-3) Held up in rear, ran freely, ridden over 2f out and no extra over 1f out, last of 6, 23l behind Fascinating Rock (9-3) at Curragh 1m 2f Grp 1 (1) Yielding - Soft in May.
Moonlight Magic 11-1 (9-0) Towards rear, 9th halfway, pushed along and some progress on inner into 5th 2f out, soon short of room and ridden in 6th 1f out, no impression inside final furlong, 6th of 9, 8 1/2l behind Harzand (9-0) at Curragh 1m 4f Grp 1 Yielding in Jun.
Us Army Ranger (IRE) 7-2fav (9-0) Held up in last trio, headway on wide outside 2f out, chased leading pair over 1f out, edged left and challenging inside final furlong, went 2nd final 100 yards, no extra towards finish, 2nd of 16, 1 1/2l behind Harzand (9-0) at Epsom 1m 4f Grp 1 (1) gs in Jun.
Maneen 4-1fav (9-9) Tracked leaders, 4th halfway, 2nd entering straight and ridden 2f out, led 150 yards out, kept on well to assert close home, won at Curragh 1m 2f hcp Yielding - Soft in May beating Newsman (9-2) by 2l, 12 ran.