Racecards
19:30 Leopardstown (IRE)
Desmond Stakes (group 3) (Class 1)
- 5 Runners
- Distance: 1m
- Going: Good to Firm, Good in places
- Surface: Turf
- €60,000 added
- Winner: €39,000
- 2nd: €11,999
- 3rd: €6,000
- 4th: €2,400
- Form 4616-64
- Age 3
- Weight 9-7
- Official Rating 117
- Trainer A P O'Brien
- Jockey Joseph O'Brien
chased leader, 2nd halfway, improved to lead 1 1/2f out, ridden out hands and heels inside final furlong, comfortably
- Form 01-3103
- Age 4
- Weight 9-7
- Official Rating 102
- Trainer D Marnane
- Jockey C O'Donoghue
held up and keen hold, 4th halfway, ridden into 3rd 1f out, stayed on into 2nd final furlong, not match winner
- Form 971240
- Age 9
- Weight 9-7
- Official Rating 106
- Trainer T Collins
- Jockey P Shanahan
held up in rear, ridden in 4th 2f out, no impression in 5th 1 1/2f out, kept on one pace
- Form 411636
- Age 3
- Weight 9-0
- Official Rating 114
- Trainer J S Bolger
- Jockey K J Manning
led, ridden and headed 1 1/2f out, no extra in 4th 1f out, weakened
- Form 1-22
- Age 3
- Weight 8-11
- Official Rating 103
- Trainer D K Weld
- Jockey P J Smullen
chased leader, 3rd halfway, ridden 1 1/2f out, no impression in 2nd 1f out, no extra in 3rd inside final furlong, kept on same pace
Previous results
In depth
Verdict
Joseph O'Brien has been on board for BEETHOVEN's last two starts in the St James's Palace Stakes and the Sussex Stakes and retains the ride. Last year's Dewhurst winner has had no answer to the brilliance of Canford Cliffs in the Group 1 contests but has nothing of that calibre to concern him here and first-time blinkers should have the desired effect. Akdarena has also been campaigned at the highest level but has been finding it tough. She's looked better over 1m2f than when competing in the Oaks at Epsom and the Curragh but whether she has the pace for this is unknown. Emulous is a lightly-raced filly with plenty of scope as she showed when a close second to Latin Love in a Listed event at the Curragh.
Formwatch
Beethoven (IRE) 25-1 (8-13) Raced in 3rd, went 2nd over 1f out until 1f out, no impression when hung right insidef inal furlong, lost well held 3rd final 100 yards, 4th of 7, 4 1/2l behind Canford Cliffs (8-13) at Goodwood 1m Grp 1 (1) gd in Jul.
Dandy Boy (ITY) 5-1 (9-7) Chased leaders in 4th, ridden into 3rd 2f out, no impression leaders, kept on same pace, 3rd of 9, 3 1/2l behind Air Chief Marshal (9-0) at Curragh 7f Grp 3 (1) gd in Jul.
King Jock (USA) 25-1 (9-7) Raced far side, always towards rear, 23rd of 29, 27l behind Invisible Man (8-9) at Royal Ascot 1m hcp (2) gf in Jun.
Akdarena 9-1 (9-0) Chased leader in 2nd, ridden to dispute 3f out, no extra in 4th under 2f out, kept on one pace, 6th of 15, 18l behind Snow Fairy (9-0) at Curragh 1m 4f 3yo Fll Grp 1 (1) gd in Jul.
Emulous 7-2fav (8-12) Rear of mid-division, headway in 7th 2f out, ridden into 2nd 1f out, kept on final furlong, not reach winner, 2nd of 17, 1 1/4l behind Latin Love (9-10) at Curragh 1m 1f fll lst stks (1) gd in Jul.