Amethyst Stakes (Group 3)

Off time: 17:08 | Winning time: 1m 41.82s

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Selected odds by:

(4)

Real Appeal¹⁸³

Age: 5| Weight: 10-0| J: S Foley| T: Mrs J Harrington| OR: 112| CD

5/1

Scored 3 times at this track last year, latest coming over C&D in Group 2 in September. Had a hopeless task from position when 3¾ lengths ninth of 13 in Breeders' Cup Mile at Del Mar (8f, firm) when last seen 6 months ago. Giving weight away all round but respected back on these shores.

Form: 131319-

(6)

Georgeville^t²⁸

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: Colin Keane| T: G M Lyons| OR: 107| C| D

4/1

Course winner. Shaped as if the run was needed when 4¼ lengths eighth of 9 to Layfayette in Alleged Stakes (11/2) at the Curragh (10f, good to soft) 4 weeks ago, unable to sustain effort. That should've put him spot on for this so is high on the shortlist. Yard also won this last year.

Form: 63261-8

(5)

Patrick Sarsfield^t⁴²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-9| J: Declan McDonogh| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 109| C| D

7/2

Course winner. 2/1, wasn't disgraced after 5 months off when 3¾ lengths fourth of 7 to Layfayette in listed race at Naas (10f, good to soft) 6 weeks ago. Every chance he'll be sharper with that behind him.

Form: 22490-4

(2)

Pretreville³²

Age: 7| Weight: 9-9| J: Ronan Whelan| T: A McGuinness| OR: 105| D

11/1

Winner at Dundalk in January then finished second in a valuable contest in Qatar in February. Creditable 2½ lengths second of 7 to Pearls Galore in listed race at this C&D (good, 9/1) 32 days ago.

Form: 700-122

(1)

Fantasy Lady^t³⁵⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: W J Lee| T: P Twomey| OR: 105| D

11/1

25/1 and blinkered for 1st time tongue strap on for 1st time, best effort when 1½ lengths fifth of 14 to Empress Josephine in Irish 1000 Guineas at the Curragh (8f, heavy). Off 11 months but returns with yard in fine form.

Form: 421/455-

(3)

Ivy League¹³

Age: 3| Weight: 8-10| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 99| D

2/1

Much improved to get off the mark at Dundalk last month and easily followed up in 10-runner handicap at Naas (8f, good to soft, 10/3) 13 days ago. Will go on improving for a while yet so this sole 3-y-o makes plenty of appeal.

Form: 611

Forecasts

Ivy League (2/1), Patrick Sarsfield (7/2), Georgeville (4/1), Real Appeal (5/1), Pretreville (11/1), Fantasy Lady (11/1)

A tricky race to unravel despite the small field but the vote goes to GEORGEVILLE, who shaped is if the run was needed when finishing down the field in the Alleged Stakes at the Curragh 4 weeks ago. That outing should've put him spot on for this and he can notch career success number 4. Aidan O'Brien's Ivy League will go on improving for a while yet so he's feared most chasing a hat-trick, ahead of Patrick Sarsfield.