Counter feat

JACOBS’

THE 2018 Melbourne Cup hero

can finally return to winning form by foiling the Aidan O’Brien brigade in the feature Irish St Leger (4.10) at the Curragh.

A superb winner of the Flemington Park spectacular last November, the Godolphin charge trained by Charlie Appleby has had to make do with a rear view of the mighty Stradivarius on his two starts this year.

However, this mile-and-three-quarters trip today allied to a drop in grade makes the son of Teofilo a tempting proposition at around the 3-1 mark with the layers.

There are three other Group One events on a spectacular Irish card and British raider looks set to double up for the ‘Boys in Blue’ in the National Stakes at 3.35. This juvenile has got it all, a high-cruising speed, a brilliant attitude and a top-class turn of foot.

Even a battalion of four Aidan O’Brien runners may not be good enough to stop him retaining his 100 per cent record and cement his place top of the 2,000 Guineas market. It will be interesting to see if Albigna can make it three on the bounce for Jessie Harrington in the Moyglare Stud Stakes at 3.00 but I fancy that the maiden

could well have her number. The Ger Lyons runner relished the step up to a seventh furlong in the Debutante Stakes last time out and if she settles better, looks huge value at a double-figure price.

But the best bet could well be saved for last when the formidable Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore team are represented by

in the finale at 6.00.

The nap has not had the run of the race on his last three outings, being held up off a slow pace, but with a sound gallop here he looks outstanding value at around the 12-1 mark.