The Phoenix Stakes was staged at Leopardstown for about ten years after that, but the Group One has been held at the Curragh since 2002, and six horses are due to line up for the €350,000 showpiece this afternoon (4.35).
While Adrian Murray won this last year with Bucanero Fuerte, Aidan O’Brien’s record here is fantastic, with 17 wins since 1998. Once again, O’Brien holds all the aces and it’s a straightforward penalty kick for Whistlejacket under Ryan Moore, although bookmakers are taking no chances with 8/11 the best available about the colt at the time of writing.
A Listed winner here in May, he took the July Stakes at Newmarket by just under two lengths, and he should have no problem stepping up in class to emulate his full brother Little Big Bear’s 2022 success in this contest.
If you’re looking for one at a big price, consider Michael O’Callaghan’s Twilight Jet each-way, which is expected to go off in the region of 33/1 in the Group Three FBD Hotels And Resorts Heritage Hotel Phoenix Sprint Stakes (3.25).
He was second-last in a Group Two here back in July, but it was a bit ambitious, and he ran out of petrol in the final stages. The five-year-old has shown some decent form in the past, however, and was runner-up in a Listed race in May. He also won a couple of races at this level in 2022.
He’s got a stiff task today, but a place is not out of the question at a nice price.
We’ve jumps action at Kilbeggan, and Winding River catches the eye around 6/1 for the SwissMPC Medical Device And Pharmaceutical Consulting Handicap Chase (7.30) for Phillip Enright under Oliver McKiernan.
A decent sort over both hurdles and fences, he’s mostly been racing in hurdles lately, but shaped well when runner-up back over fences last time in a novice at Kilbeggan. He has a handicap mark of 105 for today, but I reckon that’s a bit lenient.
Earlier on the same card, Philip Rothwell’s Fernhill Fling looks overpriced around 20/1 for the Smiddy’s Pub Mullingar Handicap Hurdle (5.30).
Readers might think I need my head examined when they check his record; he’s finished well down the field in his five starts to date. But the assessor has gone easy on him for his handicap debut with a mark of 87, and with jockey Tiernan Roche claiming a useful 7lbs, he may just spring a surprise in an open-looking contest.
We are up north tomorrow at Ireland’s oldest racecourse, Downpatrick, and eight runners go to post for the feature Congratulations To Pinkerton On Winning The Tote Galway Plate Rated Hurdle (2.48).
I’m siding with Gavin Cromwell’s Global Export, which trades at 12/1 at the time of writing.
A dual-purpose gelding which races mostly on the Flat, he was disappointing when last seen over timber – but he was third in a competitive handicap at Punchestown in May, and Paddy O’Brien’s 7lb claim can make a difference.
