Irish Stallion Farms EBF Yeats Stakes (Listed)

Off time: 16:07 | Winning time: 2m 49.97s

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(5)

Johnyfortycoats

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Gary Carroll| T: M Mulvany

100/1

Tough As Nails gelding, nothing of note in pedigree and, in truth, this looks a fanciful starting place given the opposition.

Form:

(2)

Masaff²⁰³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Chris Hayes| T: D K Weld| OR: 106| BF

5/4

Raven's Pass colt, off the mark on debut at Leopardstown in June (1m, good to firm) and twice place in Group races back there last season. Form reads well and should have a leading role in this on seasonal bow up in trip with trainer flying.

Form: 132-

(1)

Pythion⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Colin Keane| T: G M Lyons| OR: 97

6/1

Olympic Glory colt, scored a 1m maiden win at Leopardstown last summer on debut, highly-tried in three starts since and rarely threatened. Eased in grade here, but others appear better placed for the win.

Form: 16-37

(3)

Western Australia³²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: D O'Brien| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 107| BF

2/1

Typically tough and progressive juvenile from top stable, including excellent Doncaster third when 1L down on 2,000 Guineas hero and stablemate Magna Grecia. Disappointing in this grade both starts back, including as 6-4f at Newmarket last month.

Form: 1443-25

(4)

Chablis⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 8-12| J: J A Heffernan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 95

9/2

Galileo filly who cost 1,550,000 gns as a yearling made a winning start over 7f at Gowran last year but was disappointing on return here over 1m2f. Held again since at Naas, needs this longer trip to perk up the attitude; best days likely in front.

Form: 1-05

Forecasts

Masaff (5/4), Western Australia (2/1), Chablis (9/2), Pythion (6/1), Johnyfortycoats (100/1)

Both MASAFF and Western Australia dipped their toes in group-race company last season and showed up well, they looked the pair to focus on. The Ballydoyle inmate boasts a fitness edge but was very disappointing on his reappearance at Newmarket and has to bounce back. Dermot Weld's string are firing now and, with this step up in distance always deemed likely to suit, his son of Raven's Pass earns the nod. Chablis is a potential improver and may edge Pythion behind the leading lights.