3.10 Keeneland Phoenix Stakes (Group 1) 6f

Admiral Nelson: Produced an impressive display to win over 5f on his debut two months ago but then struggled in the Coventry and again came up short at Group 2 level at Goodwood last week. He could be better than he showed on his last two starts.

Giorgio Vasari: Put a disappointing second run at Limerick behind him to win at that track the following month before looking better when winning a conditions race from the front in fine style at Naas on Monday. This is far tougher but that last outing represented a notable step forward.

Laws Of Indices: Progressed very well from his debut to win at Navan second time out and took a further and very significant step forward to defeat Lucky Vega by ½l in last month’s Railway Stakes. On similar ground, he has every chance and the manner in which he found more in the closing stages of the Railway was quite taking. Any rain over the weekend further aids his cause.

Lucky Vega: Won a hot Naas maiden in the style of a smart colt in early June and confirmed that promise with a fine second in the Railway Stakes next time. After just two starts he should progress off that Railway run which will make him a danger to all.

St Mark’s Basilica: Half-brother to Magna Grecia and shaped with a good deal of promise on his debut to chase home Coill Avon in a maiden over this course and distance two weeks ago. He could improve substantially for that run and, while inexperience is a concern, he shaped like a colt who can hold his own at a high level.

Steel Bull: Rapidly emerging force in the two-year-old division who looked smart in winning an auction maiden on his debut at Naas last month and landed the Group 3 Molecomb Stakes at Goodwood a week later when scoring with more ease than the margin of ¾l might suggest. Might well be the one to beat if his stamina holds up over this trip.

The Lir Jet: Created a huge impression on his first two starts with a track record-breaking debut at Yarmouth before getting up close home in the Group 2 Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot. Met with a short-head defeat in France last time but didn’t lose much in that. He shapes like he will stay farther and he has form on easy ground.

Ventura Tormenta: Was thought good enough to make his debut behind The Lir Jet at Ascot, where he ran very well to finish sixth, and then won a maiden in good style next time. The 7f trip at Group 2 level looked a shade far for him next time but bounced back to defeat The Lir Jet in the Prix Robert Papin and is evidently a high-class sprinting juvenile who is entitled to go very close under what are likely to be optimum conditions.

Aloha Star: One of four supplementary entries, this progressive sort sprung a major upset in a four-runner Group 2 here last month when pouncing late to defeat Frenetic by a head. The latter has since been beaten at listed level and this race will demand another career best, but she is not without a chance.

Bubbles On Ice: Promising sort who shaped up quite nicely to finish fifth in a 6f maiden at this track in June before scoring over 1m at Killarney several weeks later. Her debut runs suggests that she will cope with coming back to this trip but she is going to have to take a major step forward.

Verdict

Steel Bull was most impressive at Goodwood last week. He is stepping into the unknown in trip and this will be his third run in as many weeks, but he might just provide his trainer with a first success at the highest level.

Ventura Tormenta and The Lir Jet both boast solid credentials and are leading players, and a bold showing from St Mark’s Basilica looks entirely possible.