Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
Beckford will be Flat out to give Elliott a victory
UNBEATEN COLT KEENE TO END GORDON’S WAIT
BECKFORD sets the standard in tomorrow’s Keeneland Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh and can give trainer Gordon Elliott his first Group 1 success on the flat.
The unbeaten Bated Breath colt has been a revelation in his two victories at the Curragh, displaying plenty of talent and a good attitude.
The Turf Club Handicapper has given Beckford an initial mark of 113 which, although possibly inflated, as part of the modern trend, is 5lb above the next highest-rated contender in tomorrow’s field, Tom Dascombe’s Frozen Angel, runner-up to Unfortunately in the Prix Robert Papin in Maisons-laffitte last time.
Beckford justified hefty market support on his debut over tomorrow’s course and distance in mid-may, proving too strong for Red Persian and Would Be King in a strong maiden.
He returned to the Curragh on Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby weekend and took a significant step forward to land the Group 2 Railway Stakes, his trainer’s biggest success on the flat.
In a field which included six other previous winners, Declan Mcdonogh’s mount beat Verbal Dexterity and Murillo to prove himself one of the top juveniles of the season.
Tomorrow, he puts his unbeaten record on the line in an eight-strong field, which includes four Ballydoyle hopefuls, plus two British challengers and Ken Condon’s
beaten two lengths when seventh to Rajasinghe in the Coventry at Royal Ascot.
But Ryan Moore’s mount
might prove the biggest threat.
Winner of a six-furlong maiden in Cork on his third start before disappointing behind Brother Bear in the Marble Hill over this course and distance on easy ground.
But he bounced back when winning the Norfolk (five furlongs) at Royal Ascot in June and, unseen since, is open to plenty of improvement.
His credentials look marginally better than those of stable-companions
winner of his maiden here before chasing home Cardsharp in the July Stakes in Newmarket, and classy filly
winner of the Anglesey Stakes (Group 2) over this course and distance last time.
But Beckford has looked tough and resilient in his two wins and might have the edge against a strong Ballydoyle team, bidding to give Aidan O’brien a 16th Phoenix success.