2.25 Derrinstown Stud Flying Five Stakes (Group 1) 5F

Caspian Prince: Cracking sprinter at his best but hasn’t looked the force of old lately. Three recent defeats in handicaps would suggest that he has his work cut out here, and his last win came in June 2018.

Chessman: Has yet to win this season but has put together a number of good runs which include a close third to Speak In Colours in a 6f listed event here on Irish Derby weekend. Hasn’t been quite so good on his last two outings and must do better.

Hit The Bid: Was beaten just over 1l into fourth in this race last year and after another creditable stint in Dubai he returned with a respectable effort in a Tipperary listed race late last month. This demands far more, but he could easily take a step forward for this.

Invincible Army: Tends to come up short at Group 1 level but is already a Group 2 and 3 winner this season and would have a major chance on that win in the Duke Of York Stakes in May. Wasn’t at all disgraced in last week’s Sprint Cup at Haydock and is not one to underestimate.

Urban Beat: Produced a strong piece of form earlier this season when edging out Soffia by a neck in a Naas listed race and comes here off a very respectable third to Nitro Boost in a Tipperary stakes race, but a career best will be required for him to feature.

Soldier’s Call: Classy three-year-old who has yet to win this season but boasts some top-class efforts such as his third to Blue Point in the King’s Stand at Ascot and his second in last month’s Nunthorpe Stakes. That calibre of form makes him out of the foremost contenders.

True Mason: Very smart Group 1 and Group 2-placed juvenile last year but has yet to deliver on that promise this term. A heavy defeat in a top handicap at Goodwood and a fourth in a French conditions race on his last two starts leave him well short of the required standard.

Houtzen: Classy Australian pattern race performer who showed lots of promise on his second Northern Hemisphere start to chase home Battaash in a Goodwood Group 2 last month. A repeat of that last run could put him into the reckoning.

Mabs Cross: Won last year’s Prix de l’Abbaye and was touched off in the Nunthorpe and remains a potent force at this level without quite looking as good as 2018. However, her fourth place finishes in the King’s Stand and the Nunthorpe Stakes are both very respectable runs and give her every chance of making an impact.

Soffia: Hugely progressive filly who has carried all before her lately. Won a Naas listed race in May, a Curragh Group 3 in June and then produced her best effort yet when running riot in the Group 2 Sapphire Stakes over this course and distance two months ago. Could be up to winning at this level especially as there is the possibility that she could do better still.

Fairyland: High-class sort who has yet to win this season but commands respect on the form that saw her take third in the July Cup and fifth in the King’s Stand. Hasn’t been quite so good on her last two runs but wouldn’t be without a chance if coming back to form.

So Perfect: Has run some honourable races over the course of the season with the highlight being her fine third in the Nunthorpe last month. That effort gives her some prospects but she needs to bounce back from a below par showing at Haydock last weekend.

Conclusion

Soffia has made great strides this season and the manner of her last success would suggest that she can her own at this level. She can see off a strong challenge from across the Irish Sea, with Mabs Cross appealing along with Soldier’s Call.