Racecards
15:10 Curragh (IRE)
Finlay Volvo Cars Race
- 7 Runners
- Distance: 1m 2f
- Going: Good (Good to Yielding in places)
- Surface: Turf
- €17,000 added
- Winner: €10,200
- 2nd: €3,400
- 3rd: €1,700
- 4th: €850
- Form 313-
- Age 3
- Weight 9-10
- Official Rating 90
- Trainer Donnacha O'Brien
- Jockey G M Ryan
very slowly away and trailing in last early, headway into 5th after 3f, ridden in 5th 2f out, went 4th 1 1/2f out, kept on inside final furlong
- Form 44-1
- Age 3
- Weight 9-10
- Trainer A P O'Brien
- Jockey Wayne Lordan
led, ridden and headed over 2f out, disputed 2nd from 2f out, went 2nd again inside final furlong, kept on close home
- Form 3233-1
- Age 3
- Weight 9-10
- Official Rating 91
- Trainer G M Lyons
- Jockey Colin Keane
held up towards rear, headway 3f out, ridden in 4th 2f out, soon no impression on leaders
- Form 1
- Age 3
- Weight 9-10
- Trainer A P O'Brien
- Jockey J A Heffernan
chased leader in 2nd, pushed along 3f out, led over 2f out, soon ridden, stayed on well under pressure final furlong
- Form 13324-0
- Age 3
- Weight 9-10
- Official Rating 103
- Trainer A Slattery
- Jockey Ben Coen
chased leaders in 3rd, pushed along in 4th 3f out, soon ridden and weakened
- Form 93
- Age 3
- Weight 9-5
- Trainer J S Bolger
- Jockey K J Manning
pushed along towards rear early, soon off pace in last, no impression from 3f out, never a factor
- Form 13-8
- Age 3
- Weight 9-5
- Official Rating 98
chased leaders in 4th, went 3rd travelling well 3f out, ridden and disputed 2nd 2f out, dropped to 3rd inside final furlong, kept on same pace close home
In depth
Verdict
NAPA VALLEY probably didn't beat much at Leopardstown but did it so impressively and enters the 'could be anything' category. Seamie Heffernan picks him over Keats, who he was on board for his comeback victory at Gowran. Katiba showed real potential in two runs last summer and will have found the ground too quick in the 1000 Guineas here on her reappearance though she wasn't beaten far. Masteroffoxhounds changed stables over the winter and was always travelling well when landing what looked a decent Naas maiden earlier this month. Rebel Tale was well behind in the 2000 Guineas here but was beaten less than a length in the Group 2 Futurity on the track in August.
Formwatch
Emperor Of The Sun (IRE) 4-1 (9-7) Slowly into stride, towards rear, pushed along and some headway on inner entering straight, 5th and ridden 1f out, kept on inside final furlong to go 3rd close home, 3rd of 8, 1 3/4l behind Franklin Street (8-10) at Listowel 1m hcp sft in Sep.
Keats (IRE) 8-13fav (9-7) A little uneasy in stalls, prominent, pushed along before halfway, soon reminder, challenged before straight, soon on terms, gained narrow lead under 2f out, stayed on best inside final furlong, won at Gowran Park 1m mdn Yielding in Jun beating Frank Arthur (9-7) by 3/4l, 12 ran.
Maker Of Kings (IRE) 7-2 (9-7) Tracked leader, 2nd halfway, headway to challenge early straight, pushed along and led under 2f out, kept on well inside final furlong, won at Gowran Park 7f mdn gd in Jun beating Ming Warrior (9-7) by 3/4l, 14 ran.
Napa Valley (IRE) 11-8fav (9-7) Soon led, joined before halfway, led again from 2f out, went on from over 1f out, stayed on well, comfortably, won at Leopardstown 1m mdn gd in Jun beating Aztec Parade (9-7) by 3 1/4l, 9 ran.
Rebel Tale (USA) 125-1 (9-2) Chased leaders early, soon mid-division on outer, ridden and no extra 2f out, slightly hampered 1 1/2f out, 10th of 11, 14l behind Siskin (9-2) at Curragh 1m Grp 1 (1) gf in Jun.
Fraterculus (IRE) 10-1 (9-7) Slowly into stride and pushed along early, soon headway to track leaders, 5th halfway, some headway approaching straight, ridden and no impression in 4th under 2f out, kept on one pace into 3rd final 100 yards, 3rd of 8, 5 1/4l behind Numen (9-7) at Leopardstown 1m 2f mdn gd in Jun.
Katiba (IRE) 66-1 (9-2) Mid-division, 7th halfway, pushed along and no impression 3f out, ridden and no extra from over 1f out, kept on one pace, 8th of 11, 6 1/4l behind Peaceful (9-2) at Curragh 1m Grp 1 (1) gf in Jun.
Masteroffoxhounds (USA) 9-2 (9-7) Chased leaders, 3rd halfway, travelled well into 2nd 1 1/2f out, ridden over 1f out, stayed on to challenge inside final furlong and drifted slightly left under pressure, led final 50 yards, won at Naas 1m mdn gf in Jun beating Mr Wendell (9-7) by 1l, 18 ran.