Sunday Mirror (Northern Ireland)
CAN’T BEAT A BIT OF BULLY
Steel yourself for another big victory
STEEL BULL can make it three wins in as many weeks in the Group 1 Keeneland Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh today.
The Michael O’Callaghan-trained colt only made his debut the week before Galway but in two starts since then has looked a top notch juvenile.
His impressive Naas debut was followed by a smooth Group 3 success at Goodwood last week and he looks good enough to hold his own at this level.
The step up to six furlongs is an unknown for Steel Bull but if his stamina holds up he is definitely the one to beat.
He could have most to fear from the overseas challenge with Richard Hannon’s Ventura Tormenta a major threat.
That colt took a major step forward to defeat the Royal Ascot winner, The Lir Jet, in the Group 2 Prix Robert Papin last time.
The Lir Jet is also in the line-up and he commands respect while Aidan O’Brien’s once raced maiden St Mark’s Basilica looks another likely player.
Elsewhere on the card the reliable Speak In Colours is the one to side with in the Group 3
Rathasker Stud Phoenix Sprint Stakes. Joseph O’Brien’s charge does have to carry a Group 2 penalty but even so this consistent sort can come out on top.
He boasts a terrific record over this course and distance having won four of his five starts over six furlongs at the Curragh.
Last season’s Group 1-winning two-year-old Millisle may give him most to do after bouncing back to form to win a Group 3 at Naas last month.
Johnny Murtagh’s fine season can continue with his Carrytheone making plenty of appeal in the concluding handicap.
This colt has plenty of weight but he won a maiden in decent style here last month and his second to Delphi at the Curragh on Derby weekend represents strong form.
In the opening maiden Colour Sergeant can strike for Ger Lyons as he looks to improve on a third to Mac Swiney over this course and distance last month.
He is marginally preferred to Iowa who looked like he would improve plenty for his first run when finishing in sixth place in a maiden on Derby weekend.
GORDON ELLIOTT, above, reports that Galvin is likely to be back in action soon after a setback forced him to skip last week’s Galway Plate.
Favourite for the Plater, he may return to the track for a novice chase having gotten off the mark over fences at Killarney last month.
AIDAN O’BRIEN’S Epsom Derby third Amhan Na Bhfiann will not be seen again until 2021.
He met with a surprise defeat in a Naas maiden on Monday after which it emerged that he had suffered a fetlock injury that required surgery.
GORDON ELLIOTT reports that the long absent Malone Road could make his comeback over hurdles next week. This six-year-old looked a potentially top class prospect when winning both his bumper starts in November 2018 but he has not run since then.