Tag Archive for: Irish Champions Festival

Gstaad going up in distance in bid to be National hero

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Gstaad is expected to thrive over seven furlongs when he tries the trip for the first time in the Goffs Vincent O’Brien National Stakes at the Curragh next weekend.

A hugely impressive winner of the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot, he met with defeat on his next start in what looked a red-hot Prix Morny at Deauville.

Trainer Aidan O’Brien was encouraged by the way he finished that race off though, and expects him to improve for the step up in trip.

Gstaad was a brilliant winner of the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot
Gstaad was a brilliant winner of the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot (John Walton/PA)

“Gstaad will love seven furlongs,” said O’Brien. “He went to France but it was a little bit early, he came back heavier than he went so he’s going to be very comfortable at seven, he always was.

“The original plan was that he was going to go to the Curragh for a stiff six (Phoenix Stakes) but we didn’t get to go obviously. The filly (True Love) was to go to Deauville but they had to swap around.

“That was the way it worked but it didn’t suit either, the filly would probably be better over a quick six and he would have been better over a stiff six but that’s the way it was.

“He’s a fair horse, he stays, he’s quick, he’s a big hardy horse and you could see him going through the line at Deauville.”

He may be joined in the National Stakes at the Irish Champions Festival by Italy, second to Gewan in the Acomb Stakes at York.

“It’s possible Italy could join him, he ran well at York. He got back a little bit, he’s still a little immature mentally but we’re happy with him since so it’s a strong possibility he will,” said O’Brien.

Another potentially smart juvenile from the yard is Montreal, who is heading towards the KPMG Champions Juvenile Stakes at Leopardstown a day earlier.

The son of Sea The Stars could be joined by a plethora of stablemates.

“Montreal was very impressive at Leopardstown when he won the last day,” added O’Brien.

“The Frankel horse who won in Killarney is a possible (Benvenuto Cellini) and the Frankel horse that won at the Curragh is a possible (New Zealand), as is the Frankel that won at Galway, Action. We’ve the horse that won at Goodwood by Camelot, Isaac Newton, he’s possible. They’re all possibles.”

Composing is building a fine reputation
Composing is building a fine reputation (Damien Eagers/PA)

Composing looks a very nice type among the fillies and is set to head the Moyglare Stud Stakes team.

He said: “Composing won very well the last day. She’s a very straightforward, honest to God filly.

“She doesn’t mind making the running and you have to follow her because she stays. She’s a good filly so that will be the plan with her.

“Beautify could run, she won a Group Two at the Curragh a while ago but she couldn’t run any more because she had penalties wherever she went. She’d be very happy going up to seven.

“There’s the filly who won at Goodwood as well (Precise) she might go or she might wait.”

Power Blue on National mission for Adrian Murray

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Adrian Murray is relishing stepping up to seven furlongs with his Phoenix Stakes hero Power Blue in next month’s Goffs Vincent O’Brien National Stakes.

The son of Space Blues followed in the footsteps of Murray’s other Group One scorer Bucanero Fuerte when downing Aidan O’Brien’s True Love at the Curragh, proving his top-class potential after a string of fine runs in defeat since winning the opening race of the Irish turf season in March.

His handler has been delighted with his progress and even has half an eye on next year’s Classics as he looks forward to an appearance on day two of the Irish Champions Festival.

“I’m looking forward to the National Stakes with Power Blue and stepping up a furlong might even suit him better,” said Murray, who confirmed the aforementioned Bucanero Fuerte will run on the same card in the Flying Five Stakes after his win in the Group Three Phoenix Sprint.

“You would have to be looking at him being a possible Guineas horse and he would be entitled to be entered for those races.

“It will all depend on how he progresses from two to three but he’s done nothing but improve and he’s always been competitive, even when he has been beaten. Win or lose, he always shows up on the day and he ran a blinder the other day.

“His form is top-drawer stuff and he’s proving he’s a top-drawer horse.”

O’Brien has Champions Weekend in mind for Montreal

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Montreal, a hugely impressive eight-length winner at Leopardstown on Thursday, is heading to the Irish Champions Festival weekend.

Aidan O’Brien’s superbly-bred Sea The Stars colt stepped up markedly on his debut effort, putting his race to bed in a matter of strides for Wayne Lordan.

He holds an entry in the Goffs Vincent O’Brien National Stakes at the Curragh on September 14 over seven furlongs, while the day-earlier KPMG Champions Juvenile Stakes over a mile could also come into the equation back at Leopardstown.

“He’d improved from his debut at Leopardstown when he was very green and finished third,” said O’Brien.

“We like him and he showed what we thought he might when he wasn’t as green, he was impressive.

“I think he could go back to Leopardstown on Champions Weekend, something like that might be next.”

O’Brien also confirmed the departure of two smart three-year-olds from his ranks, with Irish Derby runner-up Serious Contender sold to race in Hong Kong and Hampton Court Stakes winner Trinity College also on the move.

The trainer said: “Serious Contender’s form is excellent and obviously we’re sorry to see him go. He’s a good horse and will do very well.

“We thought he couldn’t get beat in Ascot (when second to Merchant) and then the one that beat us was entered in the King George.

“Trinity College has gone to Australia.”

O’Brien sets sights on Matron return for Porta Fortuna

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Porta Fortuna is back cantering as Donnacha O’Brien targets a defence of the Matron Stakes title she won last year.

A four-times Group One winner, she made the perfect start to this season when winning the Lanwades Stud Stakes.

She was subsequently ruled out of Royal Ascot due to injury and while she is on her way back to action, O’Brien fears he will not have time to get her run into her prior to the Irish Champions Festival on September 13 and 14.

“She is good and back cantering. She picked up a ligament injury which has taken her a while to get back from and the earliest she will be back is for the Matron Stakes,” said O’Brien.

“That’s what we are hoping for as it is in the time frame to get her back to the track.

“She won’t have time for a prep race so will have to go straight there but it is a Group One in Ireland, so makes sense for a lot of reasons.”