Charlie Appleby expects Pinatubo to establish a difficult nut to crack when he sets his unbeaten record at stake at the Goffs Vincent O’Brien National Stakes at the Curragh.
Even the Shamardal colt has become the celebrity juvenile season of this season so far – winning all their four starts, such as displays in the Vintage at Glorious Goodwood and the Stakes at Royal Ascot.
The kind of the latter race in particular could be working out better, with all the set horses – Lope Y Fernandez and Favorable – both winning at level .
Pinatubo tests the water at Group One level for the very first time on Sunday, using Appleby bid for successes in the race after the achievement of Quorto 12 weeks past.
“It looks a good race, but that is exactly what you expect if you step up to Group 1 level,” said the Newmarket coach.
“Our horse is in great order. He looks and his form is still currently working out.
“He’s not doing anything different to what he was doing before in the summertime. He seems to make his A-game in the afternoons, although he’s not a workhorse that is fantastic.
“It is his first start in Group One level. However, his groundwork has gone well, and I presume he is the one they’ve got to conquer.”
Aidan O’Brien has saddled 11 winners of the National Stakes – and a four-pronged assault is fired by this year.
The Ballydoyle handler’s chief contender seems to function as Armory, who maintained his third win from four starts from the Futurity Stakes over the course and distance.
Armory is joined by Arizona – winner of the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot and subsequently fourth in the Prix Morny – as well as outsiders Iberia and Toronto, together with O’Brien keen to Offer contest.
He explained:”Armory is in great shape. No one would like to see races that are simple – they all wish to see that the horses clash that is excellent.
“You win some and lose weight. You learn if you need to enhance or if you’re good enough.”
Roman Turbo out of the yard of Mick Halford along with jim Bolger’s Geometrical, the Mark Johnston-trained Monoski would be the hopefuls.
The two-year-old fillies receive their chance to shine together with Jessica Harrington’s Albigna the celebrity appeal, from the Moyglare Stud Stakes.
Since after her up success Zoffany’s daughter has been kept refreshing for this Group One mission.
“She is all set for this, and you’d hope the measure around seven furlongs will suit ,” said Harrington.
“She’s not conduct for a short time. I hope she’s the one to beat – but you will never know, since there are just only one or 2 in there who have won maidens.
“We’ll wait and see what happens on the day.”
The biggest threat of albigna Seems to be Roger Varian’s British raider Daahyeh – winner of the Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot before being touched off by Raffle Prize at the Duchess of Cambridge Stakes at Newmarket.
“I’m hopeful of her staying that the seven furlongs and happy with her condition,” Varian informed irishchampionsweekend.ie.
“The Curragh should be no problem, but we have to discover about the seven furlongs – also it’s a rigid seven furlongs there.
“Nevertheless, she is a similar type of filly into Cursory Glance, who won the Moyglare to us in 2014, having also won the Albany.
“She has some of the best juvenile filly form and has strong credentials from the race, even if it is always a popular race in the Curragh.”
James Tate’s Under The Stars is another competition – although Aidan O’Brien runs Precious Moments Love , Thus Beautiful and Tango.
Bolger’s and the Ger Lyons-trained Soul Hunt unraced filly Assurance complete the nine-strong area.
The first of four Group Ones on a Great afternoon is the Derrinstown Stud Flying Five Stakes.
The probable favourite for the dash is Eddie Lynam’s Soffia, making her first appearance as a display in the Sapphire Stakes in July.
Lynam is pleased connections of Nunthorpe enthusiast Battaash decided against a trip to Ireland, but is taking nothing for granted.
He said:”It has been the plan, and it surely helps we don’t need to take on Battaash. Having said that, the second (Soldier’s Call), third (So Perfect) and fourth (Mabs Cross) from the Nunthorpe are not there.
“It is definitely going to be tough, but I would be quite pleased with her”
Michael Dods is expecting Mabs Cross can get back on the course, having finished behind Battaash.
“We had already decided we’re going to the Curragh before news came out that Battaash was heading directly to France for its Abbaye, but obviously I am quite happy Battaash is not likely to flip up,” said the Darlington-based trainer.
“I think that the track will match , and we need a wonderful pace to target at.
“The Irish sprinters do seem stronger over six furlongs – however it is nevertheless a Group One race, and they take a bit of winning. We’re happy with her anyhow.
“We don’t need soft ground. It was quite speedy floor for your Nunthorpe – I only hope it is not that fast.”
Mick Appleby’s Caspian Prince, the Invincible Army of James Tate , Karl Burke’s True Mason and Martyn Meade’s Houtzen signify Britain.
The latter – trained in Australia – created her trainer an encouraging beginning at Goodwood.
“Clearly she has had to adjust to another training routine ,” said Meade.
“In Australia they instruct them at the track, but she is actually probably well-suited to how we train here. She is not really a normal sprinter – she is pretty disgusting.
“Her run at Goodwood was superb. I believe that the floor and track will probably be OK for her in the Curragh, and she’ll then probably go to the Prix de l’Abbaye.”

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