16:35 Curragh

Saturday 20 July 2019

All14:1514:5015:2516:0016:3517:1017:4518:20

Paddy Power Minstrel Stakes (Group 2)

Off time: 16:36 | Winning time: 1m 22.07s

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Selected odds by:

(8)

Flight Risk²¹

Age: 8| Weight: 9-8| J: K J Manning| T: J S Bolger| OR: 110| BF| CD

8/1

Group 3 C&D winner back in 2015 and has won twice at that level since, most recently at Leopardstown last month. A bit too keen in the early stages here last time and met trouble in running but not without an each-way squeak.

Form: 24-2115

(10)

Gordon Lord Byron²¹

Age: 11| Weight: 9-8| J: Chris Hayes| T: T Hogan| OR: 104| CD

25/1

A grand servant who has won a host of Group races in his time including this race and a Group 1 success at Longchamp. Well beaten here last time though and his losing run stretches back to 2017; vulnerable.

Form: 9-04336

(4)

Hey Gaman⁵¹

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: L Dettori| T: J Tate| OR: 113| D

7/4

Denied by a neck in the French Guineas last year and got his head back in front at that venue last time in Group 3 company. Very effective when allowed to dictate on the front end and there's no better jockey to execute those tactics than Dettori.

Form: 7530-11

(9)

Mr Lupton²¹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-8| J: G P Halpin| T: R A Fahey| OR: 111| C| D

16/1

Just about a career best when winning a Group 2 here at 6f on seasonal bow. This looks tougher and wasn't at his best at Newcastle last time out but he's generally consistent and can go well again.

Form: 9712-16

(6)

Romanised^t³²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: W J Lee| T: K J Condon| OR: 115| C

2/1

Won the Guineas here last year and while he hasn't won since, he's run some huge races in defeat of late, most notably in the Queen Anne last time out. That's amongst the best form on offer here but drop back in trip not certain to be ideal.

Form: 759-544

(1)

Safe Voyage⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-8| J: Jason Hart| T: J & S Quinn| OR: 113| D

5/1

Very progressive sort who has won five of his last six starts. Impressive when getting the better of a smart sort in a Haydock Group 3 last time out and won't mind conditions if some rain arrives. May yet have more to give.

Form: 110-111

(5)

All The King's Men¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: J A Heffernan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 92

50/1

Listed winner at Navan last year but hasn't managed to gain a win in four starts this campaign and this is a marked step up in class; others preferred.

Form: 19-0825

(7)

Dunkirk Harbour^b⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 99

14/1

Made it two wins from his last four starts at Killarney last time out. Both wins have come at 1m though and may get found out by the drop in trip here; first string on jockey bookings at least.

Form: 321401

(3)

North Wind^t1⁹¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: Colin Keane| T: D English| OR: 90

66/1

Just a maiden win at Naas to his name and well beaten on yard debut last time. Has it all to prove at this level. Wears first-time tongue-tie.

Form: 58160-7

(2)

San Andreas⁸³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-1| J: D O'Brien| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 94

33/1

Maiden winner at Naas in 2018 but hasn't managed to land a blow in three runs this campaign, two at Listed level. Looks up against it now tried in Group 2 company.

Form: 416-977

Forecasts

Hey Gaman (7/4), Romanised (2/1), Safe Voyage (5/1), Flight Risk (8/1), Dunkirk Harbour (14/1), Mr Lupton (16/1), Gordon Lord Byron (25/1), San Andreas (33/1), All The King's Men (50/1), North Wind (66/1)

HEY GAMAN produced a career-best when winning a Group 3 in France last time out and could provide trainer James Tate with a first win on Irish soil here. He may be able to dictate matters from the front under Frankie Dettori and, if doing so, will be a tough nut to crack. Queen Anne fourth Romanised is a big danger after his run last time out while Safe Voyage warrants this step up in grade after his performance at Haydock last time out.