TimeformBlog

Aidan O'Brien has won this race on 11 separate occasions and has leading hopes again. There are strong challengers coming over from Britain, however, for a race that may provide punters with some early clues for next season's 2000 Guineas...


O'Brien's leading Phoenix hope seems to be Power, currently heading the market and also featuring prominently in next season's 2000 Guineas betting 13.0.

Power has given a good account of himself so far this season winning a five-furlong listed race at the Curragh before narrowly holding off Roman Soldier to land the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot last time. He comes into the race with a progressive profile and, given his breeding, should have every chance of developing into an even more impressive three-year-old, but there's a feeling his price on Sunday reflects his reputation and connections as much as what he's achieved.

Frederick Engels is Timeform top-rated for Sunday's contest and joint-second favourite behind Power in the betting. Frederik Engels has won each of his last three starts, including the Windsor Castle over five furlongs at Royal Ascot and the July Stakes over six furlongs at Newmarket. He beat Roman Soldier by a length on that occasion, a margin of victory greater than Power was able to achieve when beating the same rival in the Coventry, and at the prices he looks a value alternative to the Ballydoyle favourite.

Also representing Britain is the Richard Hannon-trained Lilbourne Lad, who was victorious in the Group 2 Railway Stakes over course and distance last time. He quickened well a furlong out and was possibly value for a little bit more than the ¾ length margin over the reopposing Tough As Nails suggested, but arguably doesn't have as much improvement left in him as some.

Gatepost and Reply are likely to prove the best of the rest in this contest, and both bring a useful level of form with them. Gatepost was the winner of his opening two starts before finishing fifth in the Coventry last time, and while it is difficult to see him reversing the form with Power, he could still run a big race. Reply looks to be the Ballydoyle second string in this contest, but he won a maiden very impressively on his second start and comes into this race open to plenty of improvement.


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