4.10 Keeneland Phoenix Stakes (Group 1) 6f

Arges: Capable and consistent colt who ran well to chase home stablemate Cavalry Charge in a decent event at Naas on Monday before then coming up short in a maiden at Sligo two days later. This is vastly tougher and he has a mountain to climb.

Castle Star: Classy and consistent colt who has held his form splendidly throughout the season. A 5f listed success and a Group 3 triumph over 6f on testing ground here in May marked him out as a high-class type and he lost nothing in defeat when chasing home Go Bears Go in the Railway Stakes last time. An easing in the ground will be no problem and he is one of the foremost contenders.

Dr Zempf: Looked a real prospect when beating a couple of decent sorts over this course and distance on his debut two months ago. Had to settle for fourth when favourite in the Railway Stakes last time when he was beaten just under 3l by Go Bears Go but still ran well given his inexperience and doesn’t need to improve much to be closely involved.

Ebro River: Won the Listed National Stakes at Sandown in late May and has since run three solid races at Group 2 level – beaten no more than 2l on any occasion. A switch back to slow ground will make him interesting and he is not easily dismissed.

Go Bears Go: Ran a huge race on the wrong side of the track when second in the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot and backed that up with a cracking effort in a vintage Railway Stakes here the following week when he defeated Castle Star by 1¼l. He sets a clear standard on that last run and his credentials are impeccable. The one to beat.

Strapped: Won a 5f maiden at Cork in May and followed that with quite a respectable run behind Castle Star in the Marble Hill but he was well beaten in the Railway Stakes last time and he will have to do vastly better to get into contention here.

The Entertainer: Made a winning debut at Navan a few months ago but has come up short in good company since then and while he wasn’t beaten at all far in the Anglesey Stakes last time, his previous Railway Stakes run is well short of the required standard.

Twilight Jet: Useful colt and has shaped up well in Group 2 contests on his last two starts, being beaten just over 2l in the Norfolk Stakes and then finishing well from off the pace to run a 4l fifth in the Railway Stakes last time.

A good showing wouldn’t shock.

Prettiest: Promising filly who followed a likeable debut win at Navan with a fine fourth to Sandrine on testing ground in the Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot.

She was disappointing at odds-on in the Silver Flash Stakes last time but it transpired she was in season and she warrants due consideration in a race where fillies have done well.

Verdict

An interesting and competitive first Group 1 of the season in Europe for two-year-olds. The Railway Stakes looks the key trial for this race and Go Bears Go is put forward to follow up his victory there.

Castle Star who chased him home that day is his biggest threat once more.

The filly, Prettiest, is much better than she showed in the Silver Flash and looks another likely contender but a good case could also be made for Dr Zempf and Ebro River.