14:25 Curragh

Sunday 11 September 2022

All13:1513:5014:2515:0015:3516:1016:4517:20

Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai Flying Five Stakes (Group 1)

Off time: 14:27 | Winning time: 1m 2.51s

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Selected odds by:

(2)

A Case Of You^t⁸⁵

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: R P Whelan| T: A McGuinness| OR: 117| C| D

13/2

2021 Abbaye winner who struck again at the top level in Dubai in March. Not so good both starts since but type to bounce back returning from a break and was a good second in this last year.

Form: 5-12130

(3)

Dragon Symbol^h²³

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: S Foley| T: R Varian| OR: 109| D

11/1

First past the post in the Commonwealth Cup last year, only to be demoted. Low-key start for Roger Varian but fitted with a hood, he was a cosy winner down in grade/trip at Hamilton. Not disgraced when fifth in Nunthorpe since.

Form: 0-72015

(15)

Erosandpsyche^v¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: W J Lee| T: P Twomey| OR: 103| BF| D

22/1

Useful gelding who was only just denied the hat-trick in listed race at Tipperary (5f, good to firm) 16 days ago. Plenty to find at this level, however.

Form: 6-34112

(13)

Gustavus Weston³⁶

Age: 6| Weight: 9-6| J: G F Carroll| T: J G Murphy| OR: 100| C

50/1

Operating below his best this year and easy to look elsewhere.

Form: 654098

(9)

Raasel²³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-6| J: Jason Watson| T: M Appleby| OR: 108| BF| D

12/1

Remarkable story having been purchased for 10,000 gns and missing entirety of 2020, winning 6 handicaps before raising game further in pattern company. Beaten only a neck in King George Stakes at Goodwood before excuses in Nunthorpe. Not taken lightly.

Form: 121128

(17)

The Highway Rat¹⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-6| J: W M Lordan| T: A Oliver| OR: 101| D

100/1

Smart colt. 18/5, career best when winning 9-runner Mercury Stakes at Dundalk (5f) in October. Might have needed the run after 10 months off at Tipperary 16 days ago, though has yet to prove he is as good on turf.

Form: 21921-6

(16)

Castle Star⁵⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: J P Spencer| T: J A Stack| OR: 111| CD

16/1

Smart form at 2, notably runner-up in Middle Park on final start. Off 10 months, shaped as if needing run when below-form fifth in Curragh Group 2 on reappearance. Off another 8 weeks since. Something to prove at present.

Form: 11242-5

(1)

Caturra^p⁴⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: A Kirby| T: C G Cox| OR: 106| D

50/1

Listed/Group 2 winner as a juvenile. Back to somewhere near his best when third in Scurry Stakes at Sandown and responded well to headgear when close third in Group 2 at Goodwood. More needed again.

Form: 5-25383

(18)

Ebro River^b⁴²

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: B A Curtis| T: H Palmer| OR: 107| C| D

20/1

Group 1 winner here as a juvenile and seemingly revitalised by blinkers when landing 7-runner listed race at Chester (6f) 6 weeks ago. This asks a totally different question, however.

Form: 38-5471

(14)

New York City²³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-5| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 105| D

33/1

Maiden/listed winner in the spring but limitations exposed in better company since.

Form: 112960

(10)

Chocquinto¹⁶

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: A J Slattery| T: Miss H McLoughlin| OR: 91| CD

200/1

Out of her depth in this company.

Form: 713697

(7)

Highfield Princess²³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-3| J: Jason Hart| T: J & S Quinn| OR: 120| D

5/4

High-class mare who has graduated from ordinary races to the top table, reversing with the form with a couple from the Platinum Jubilee when making all in Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville. Coped well with drop back to 5f when following up in Nunthorpe at York in impressive fashion. One to beat.

Form: 211611

(11)

Mooneista⁵⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-3| J: C T Keane| T: J Davison| OR: 112| BF| CD

11/1

Group 2 winner over C&D last season. Good efforts in defeat this year, including fourth in King's Stand at Royal Ascot and just edged out by Ladies Church in Sapphire Stakes over C&D 8 weeks ago. Respected.

Form: 0-23242

(4)

Romantic Proposal⁶⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: C D Hayes| T: E Lynam| OR: 112| CD

11/1

Smart mare who cruised through the race when winning this 12 months ago. Looked as good as ever when making winning return in listed event at Naas and probably best to forgive next run in July Cup on ground that was probably too fast. Big run expected.

Form: 1310-10

(5)

Brostaigh⁵⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: D McMonagle| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 105| D

66/1

Career best when winning 9-runner Group 2 Prix du Gros-Chene at Chantilly (5f, good to soft, 34/10) but behind a few of these when only sixth in Sapphire Stakes at this C&D next time.

Form: 21-4116

(19)

Flotus²³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: J A Heffernan| T: S & E Crisford| OR: 109

18/1

Different proposition since ridden more prominently, placed in a brace of Group 1 contests and didn't need to improve on that form to land Group 3 Summer Stakes at York. Never a factor under a change of tactics in Nunthorpe next time.

Form: 2-42310

(12)

Geocentric⁵⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: M A Enright| T: G M Lyons| OR: 102| D

125/1

Useful filly but struggled behind a few of these when 7¼ lengths seventh of 9 to Ladies Church in Sapphire Stakes (12/1) at this C&D (good to soft) 57 days ago.

Form: 31-2317

(6)

Ladies Church^t⁵⁷

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: B M Coen| T: J P Murtagh| OR: 112| CD

14/1

Took a marked step forward to make a successful return to Group company when edging out Mooneista in C&D Group 2. Improving 3-y-o who's worth a shot at this level.

Form: 132-201

(8)

Saliteh^t¹⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: G P Halpin| T: A Murray| OR: 92| D

200/1

Out of her depth in this company.

Form: 453008

Forecasts

Highfield Princess (5/4), A Case Of You (13/2), Dragon Symbol (11/1), Mooneista (11/1), Romantic Proposal (11/1), Raasel (12/1), Ladies Church (14/1), Castle Star (16/1), Flotus (18/1), Ebro River (20/1), Erosandpsyche (22/1), New York City (33/1), Gustavus Weston (50/1), Caturra (50/1), Brostaigh (66/1), The Highway Rat (100/1), Geocentric (125/1), Saliteh (200/1), Chocquinto (200/1)

HIGHFIELD PRINCESS is thriving on racing and produced another career best when an impressive winner of the Nunthorpe at York 3 weeks ago. She sets a clear standard on that form and can complete a hat-trick of Group 1s in different countries. Last year's 1-2 Romantic Proposal and A Case of You can be in the mix again.