Royal Whip Stakes (Group 3)

Off time: 18:49 | Winning time: 2m 13.99s

Settings

Selected odds by:

(3)

Zabriskie¹⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: J A Heffernan| T: L Comer| OR: 89

100/1

Useful at his peak, that being a third to Roaring Lion for Aidan O'Brien in the 2018 Dante, but has shown little this season and looks on the downgrade. Faces another uphill task here and although step back up in trip will help, others preferred.

Form: 7-96770

(2)

Buckhurst⁴⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: D O'Brien| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 109| CD

11/2

Improving and took a G3 over C&D last time out, keeping on well late in the piece to take the prize. May face slower ground conditions here, which would ask a new question, but clearly on the up and looks one of the main challengers.

Form: 1521

(7)

Sir Dragonet⁷⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 117| BF

4/9

Looked very useful when thrashing them in the Chester Vase earlier in the season, and was made favourite for the Derby on the back of that, beaten less than a length. More rain the better for him, and he can get back to winning ways here.

Form: 115

(4)

Guaranteed^t⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: K J Manning| T: J S Bolger| OR: 109| CD

12/1

Going well this year, taking a Listed event over C&D in June and then improving on that when beaten under a length in a G3 at Leopardstown last time out. Slight question over him if it got very soft, but doing little wrong and has place chances.

Form: 660152

(1)

Leo De Fury¹⁵

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: S Foley| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 105| CD

7/1

Winner of first two starts, including a debut C&D win, but probably pulled his chance away when taken to Goodwood for the Gordon Stakes last time and disappointed. Faces a tough task here and unless improving, places may be the best he can hope for.

Form: 118

(6)

Nickajack Cave⁴⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: C T Keane| T: G M Lyons| OR: 90| BF| D

33/1

Likeable sort that's won two of his four starts, and finished runner-up on the other two, but his form is only at handicap level and he faces an uphill task to trouble the best of these. Will win more, but may have to wait for an easier opportunity.

Form: 1212

(5)

Shelir⁸³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: C D Hayes| T: D K Weld| OR: 100| C

14/1

Quietly impressive when winning his first two starts but was probably biting off more than he could chew when well down the field in the Irish 2000 Guineas last time. Probably capable of better but has plenty to find on the bare form tonight.

Form: 110

Forecasts

Sir Dragonet (4/9), Buckhurst (11/2), Leo De Fury (7/1), Guaranteed (12/1), Shelir (14/1), Nickajack Cave (33/1), Zabriskie (100/1)

SIR DRAGONET not only brings the best form in the race into this, he won't care how much it rains either. On soft ground at Chester he took them apart in the Vase there, and it was a terrific run on ground that may well have been quick enough for him in the Derby. He can take this en route to a successful autumn campaign. Guaranteed may be the one to give him a race if the selection isn't quite 100% fit after a break, but he would have a question to answer if it did get very soft. Similar comments apply to the improving Buckhurst too.