After a couple of reverses, DIEGO VELAZQUEZ ended last season with his career firmly back on track thanks to two wins at this venue. He can uphold the form of last September's Group 2 win with Mutasarref and Lord Massusus. [Alan Sweetman]
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C&D Group 2 winner at two; experienced a couple of reverses last season after a creditable fourth in the Poulains; floundered in testing conditions in the Prix du Jockey-Club and failed to stay 1m4f in the King Edward VII Stakes; redeemed himself with a handsome 1m1f at this venue and signed off with an emphatic C&D win from Mutasarref.
Brought his career tally to seven with a hard-earned defeat of favourite Mutasarref (now 2lb better off) in a Listed race over C&D a month ago; admirable sort but looks well held by Diego Velasquez on running here last September, and Mutasarref has slightly stronger credentials.
Stable stalwart; winner of 10 of 23 races, including twice at Group 3 level here last summer and C&D Group 2 second behind today's rival Diego Velasquez (Lord Massusus, fifth) arguably better form; ended season winning Cork Listed; just lost out to Lord Massusus over C&D on reappearance.
Progressive at 7f-1m last season after gelding operation; won a 1m Naas handicap off 90 on good; beaten just 1l into third in the 7f Group 3 Jersey Stakes at Ascot in June (7f, good to firm); fourth on soft in a Listed race at Tipperary on his final start of 2024; found 6f inadequate at Cork on seasonal debut.
Won a maiden and a handicap (off 90) last year; 0-4 in stakes races but finished a respectable fourth in a 1m2f Listed race at this venue in October; returned to action with a career-best effort when second under a big weight in the Irish Lincoln; harmed his chance with a slow start in a conditions race at Tipperary last time.
Winner of nine of his 38 starts; 6-26 in stakes races, best form at the Curragh, four wins at 1m-1m2f, including two Group 3s and a Group 2; 4-13 Curragh record contrasts with his 0-9 record at this track, though he ran well when second over 1m2f here on his penultimate start last season; needs further than this; tongue-tied for first time.
Lightly raced in France for Jean-Claude Rouget, winning Chantilly AW maiden early last season and much better form when third in Group 2 Prix Eugene Adam at Saint-Cloud (1m2f, good to soft); last of seven behind Economics at Deauville on final French start; 50-1, never involved in 1m2f Curragh Group 3 on Irish debut.
1/4 Odds Place 1,2
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