Charlie Appleby anticipates Pinatubo to establish a difficult nut to crack when he places his unbeaten record at stake in the Goffs Vincent O’Brien National Stakes at the Curragh.
The Shamardal colt has become the celebrity juvenile season of this season so far – winning each of the four starts, such as displays in the Vintage at Glorious Goodwood and the Stakes at Royal Ascot.
The kind of the latter race particularly could be working out with the set horses – Lope Y Fernandez and Positive – both winning at level that is Style .
Pinatubo tests the water using Appleby bidding for successes in the race following Quorto’s success 12 months past, at Group One level for the first time on Sunday.
“It looks a good race, but that’s what you expect when you step up to Group 1 level,” stated the Newmarket coach.
“Our horse is in great order. He seems and his form is currently working out well.
“He is not doing anything different to what he had been doing earlier in the summer. He seems to produce his, although he is not a brilliant workhorse.
“It’s his first start in Group 1 level. But his groundwork has gone , and I presume he’s the one they’ve got to conquer.”
Aidan O’Brien has saddled 11 winners of the National Stakes – and also this year fires a four-pronged assault.
The Ballydoyle handler’s chief contender seems to be Armory, who claimed his third win from four starts in the Futurity Stakes within the course and distance last month.
Armory is linked with Arizona – champion of the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot and fourth in the Prix Morny at Deauville – also as Toronto and outsiders Iberia, with.
He explained:”Armory is in great form. Nobody wishes to see races – they all would like to see that the horses battle that is excellent.
“You win some and lose weight. You learn if you need to improve or if you are good enough.”
Roman Turbo out of the yard of Mick Halford along with jim Bolger’s Geometrical would be the other hopefuls.
The two-year-old fillies get their chance to shine from the Moyglare Stud Stakes, with the Albigna the star attraction of Jessica Harrington.
The girl of Zoffany was kept refreshing with this Group One mission because following her up success in this track with victory in the Group Two Airlie Stud Stakes at the end of June.
“She’s all set for it, and you’d hope the step up to seven furlongs will match her,” said Harrington.
“She is not run for a short time. I hope she’s the only one to beat – but you don’t know, since there are two or one in there who have won maidens.
“We’ll wait and see what happens on the day.”
The biggest threat of albigna Seems to function as Roger Varian raider Daahyeh – winner of the Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot prior to being touched off by Raffle Prize at the Duchess of Cambridge Stakes at Newmarket.
“I am hopeful of her staying the seven furlongs and quite happy with her condition,” Varian informed irishchampionsweekend.ie.
“The Curragh should not be a issue, but we must find out about the seven furlongs – and it is a rigid seven furlongs there.
“That said, she is a similar sort of filly into Cursory Glance, that obtained the Moyglare to us in 2014, having also won the Albany.
“She boasts some of the finest juvenile filly type and has strong credentials from the race, even if it is always a popular race in the Curragh.”
James Tate’s Underneath The Stars is another competition that is British-trained – although Aidan O’Brien runs Love, Precious Moments, Thus Wonderful and Tango.
Bolger’s and the Ger Lyons-trained Soul Search unraced filly Assurance complete the field.
The first of four Group Ones to a Great afternoon is the Derrinstown Stud Flying Five Stakes.
The possible favourite for the sprint is the Soffia, making her first appearance here of Eddie Lynam.
Lynam is pleased connections of Nunthorpe enthusiast Battaash decided against a trip but is taking nothing for granted.
He explained:”This has been the plan, and it surely helps we don’t have to take on Battaash. That said, the second (Soldier’s Phone ), third (Thus Perfect) and fourth (Mabs Cross) from the Nunthorpe are still not there.
“It’s going to be hard, but I’d be very satisfied with her.”
Michael Dods is hoping Mabs Cross will get back on the course, having completed on her last few starts behind Battaash.
“We’d already decided we’re going into the Curragh before news came out that Battaash was heading directly to France for its Abbaye, but obviously I’m very happy Battaash is not likely to turn up,” said the Darlington-based trainer.
“I think that the track will satisfy her, and we want a wonderful rate to target at.
“The sprinters do seem stronger over six furlongs – but it’s still a Group One race, and they require a little winning. We’re pleased with her anyhow.
“We don’t require soft ground. It was really speedy floor for your Nunthorpe – I only hope it’s not that quick.”
Martyn Meade’s Houtzen and mick Appleby’s Caspian Prince, James Tate’s Invincible Army,” Karl Burke’s Authentic Mason also signify Britain.
The latter – trained in Australia – created an encouraging start at Goodwood to get her new trainer when next to Battaash.
“Obviously she’s had to adapt to another training routine ,” said Meade.
“In Australia they instruct them in the trail, but she’s actually probably well-suited to how we train . She’s not a sprinter – she is pretty laid-back.
“Her conduct at Goodwood was superb. I think the floor and track will probably be fine for her at the Curragh, and she will then probably visit the Prix de l’Abbaye.”

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