4.10 Goffs Vincent O’Brien
National Stakes (Group 1) 7f
Battleground: Quality colt who progressed well from his debut to win the Chesham Stakes at Ascot and did better again to win the Group 2 Vintage Stakes at Goodwood in straightforward style. Can do better still and remains a top prospect, but this is his biggest test to date.
Charterhouse: Began his career with an excellent second to Masen in a Leopardstown maiden and followed that with a good fourth in the Tyros before winning a maiden over this course and distance in good style last month. Smart colt who gives the impression he can progress further.
Laws Of Indices: Classy colt who progressed from a Navan maiden win to defeat Lucky Vega in the Group 2 Railway Stakes here in July and would have been much closer to that rival in the Phoenix Stakes last time but for a slow start which eventually saw him settle for fourth. This longer trip will definitely aid his cause and it would be unwise to underestimate him.
Lucky Vega: Has looked the best two-year-old seen in Ireland so far this season on the evidence of his impressive Phoenix Stakes triumph. A step up in trip should suit and a similar performance here will see him mount a strong challenge for victory.
Mac Swiney: Won a maiden on Irish Oaks weekend that his trainer has used to great effect in the past and showed an unplaced Tyros Stakes run to be all wrong when springing a surprise to land the Futurity Stakes. This looks an appreciably stronger affair but that last win entitles him to respect.
Masen: Defeated Charterhouse in a Leopardstown maiden on his debut and did nothing wrong next time when beaten less than one length into third by Military Style the Group 3 Tyros Stakes. Can definitely progress further.
Master Of The Seas: Hugely exciting colt who was most impressive in landing the Group 2 Superlative Stakes on his second start when defeating Devious Company by three lengths. On a line through Devious Company he would look to have a slight edge on Battleground and he might just be the one to beat.
Military Style: Bounced back from an odds-on defeat in a Cork Group 3 to win the Tyros Stakes in game fashion from the front at Leopardstown last month. This race will require more but he is a talented and tough colt and could be dangerous if allowed to dictate once again.
St Mark’s Basilica: Showed plenty on his first two runs and ground out a maiden success in difficult conditions last time. The step up to this distance will suit and he has more to offer but he will need to take a step forward to play a part in the finish.
Thunder Moon: Produced one of the most impressive maiden displays of the season when winning a seven-furlong contest in fine style here last month, quickening in the style of a high-class colt to defeat Colour Sergeant by just under four lengths. That form has taken a few knocks but a Group 3 winner did emerge from that maiden and he could run a big race despite his relative lack of experience.
Wembley: A rating of 92 leaves him with plenty to find after his Roscommon win and, while he can do better still, others look more appealing on this occasion.
Verdict
Master Of The Seas was impressive in the Superlative Stakes at Newmarket last time and can surely do better again after just two runs. He is given marginal preference over Lucky Vega who is the top-rated colt in the line-up by some distance.