16:00
Goffs Vincent O'Brien National Stakes (Group 1)
Group 1, Class 1, 7f, Flat, 2yo, €240,000, 8 runners
Winning time 1m 27.80s
- Going
- Yielding
- Surface
- Turf
Tip for this race
All today's tips ›Haffner holds a progressive profile that makes him an intriguing proposition in this seven-furlong Class 1 at the Curragh, and while he sits narrowly behind the top-rated Folsom Blues on our figures, there is a reasonable case that his upward trajectory has him improving into that gap. Folsom Blues represents the most obvious threat as the highest-rated runner in the field, with Dr Rascal and Trean also capable of making their presence felt on a competitive card. Confidence is tempered given the quality of the opposition, but Haffner's continuing progress is the basis for siding with him, and he is our selection.
Result
J M Sheridan
Joseph Patrick O'Brien
Held up towards back of pack - moving smoothly into 3rd 2f out - shaken up to hit front 1f out - driven out and powered clear final furlong - comfortable win
Colin Keane
Joseph Patrick O'Brien
Sluggish start - held up near rear - made progress into 6th two furlongs out - pushed along - up to 4th with a furlong left - claimed second inside final furlong and stayed on but never landed a blow on winner
Ronan Whelan
A P O'Brien
Set the early gallop - pressed for effort and lost command 2f out - held third and stayed on steadily to the line
W J Lee
P Twomey
Sat behind pace early - moved into second and going smoothly 3f out - hit the front 2f out - driven along under pressure - overtaken 1f out - slipped to third and held on for fourth at the line
Kaiya Fraser
Oliver Cole
Sat close to the front group early - eased back to 7th under pressure with 2f left and still there a furlong out - stayed on at same speed to finish 5th
Ryan Moore
A P O'Brien
Sat close behind pacesetter early - pushed along and slipped to 3rd with 3f left then 4th approaching final 2f - dropped away late to finish 6th
Wayne Lordan
A P O'Brien
Sat close to the front group early - urged for effort in 5th with 2f left - faded through the final furlong
Chris Hayes
D K Weld
Slow to break - held towards back of the pack - driven approaching final 2f then dropped away tamely
Racecard
Kaiya Fraser
Oliver Cole 2/11
Three consecutive wins make Dr Rascal a serious player here, and he has experience of today's trip and conditions to draw on; at 131 lb after 47 days away, the weight and fitness questions are the risks to weigh up.
- Sire
- Sottsass (FR)
- Dam
- Litte Miss Rascal (GB) by Zoffany
- Owner
- Charlie Rosier Mrs Julia Rosier
- Foaled
- 12 Apr 2024
- Stable
- Whatcombe, Oxon
- Trainer last 14 days
- 2 wins from 11 runs (18%)
- Trainer running to form
- 42%
- Ratings
- Perf 115, Speed 88
Ronan Whelan
A P O'Brien 5/50
Florida Bay won two starts back and was runner-up last time out, so he arrives in decent nick 22 days fresh; he has run over today's trip and going, which helps, though carrying 131 lb from stall one and ranking fifth of eight on ratings suggests he faces a stiff ask to dominate.
- Sire
- Mehmas (IRE)
- Dam
- Ripponette (FR) by Le Havre
- Owner
- Magniertaborsmithwesterbergbrant
- Foaled
- 17 Mar 2024
- Stable
- Cashel, Co Tipperary
- Trainer last 14 days
- 5 wins from 50 runs (10%)
- Trainer running to form
- 68%
- Ratings
- Perf 109, Speed 85
J M Sheridan
Joseph Patrick O'Brien 7/69
Folsom Blues is in the form of his life, placing second twice in his last two starts after winning three starts back, and he has experience of today's trip and conditions. Carrying 131 lb from stall 8 is the chief concern.
- Sire
- Blue Point (IRE)
- Dam
- Liwa Palace (GB) by Oasis Dream
- Owner
- Al Shiraaa Racing Limited
- Foaled
- 6 Feb 2024
- Stable
- Owning Hill, Co Kilkenny
- Trainer last 14 days
- 7 wins from 69 runs (10%)
- Trainer running to form
- 62%
- Ratings
- Perf 120, Speed 92
Ryan Moore
A P O'Brien 5/50
Giant Sequoia arrives in fair nick, winning his last two starts after a third before them, and he has run over today's trip and going before; however, carrying 131 lb and ranked midfield on ratings suggests he faces a stiff ask here.
- Sire
- Frankel (GB)
- Dam
- Pink Dogwood (IRE) by Camelot
- Owner
- Resolute Racing Coolmore Westerberg
- Foaled
- 1 Jan 2024
- Stable
- Cashel, Co Tipperary
- Trainer last 14 days
- 5 wins from 50 runs (10%)
- Trainer running to form
- 68%
- Ratings
- Perf 105, Speed 84
Wayne Lordan
A P O'Brien 5/50
Haffner arrives on the back of an excellent recent spell, a winner last time out and two wins in his last four starts, and with experience of today's distance and going he looks well placed to go close again from stall seven carrying 131 lb.
- Sire
- Justify (USA)
- Dam
- Earth Strike (IRE) by Zoffany
- Owner
- P Brantcoolmorewesterbergb Smith
- Foaled
- 5 Feb 2024
- Stable
- Cashel, Co Tipperary
- Trainer last 14 days
- 5 wins from 50 runs (10%)
- Trainer running to form
- 68%
- Ratings
- Perf 118, Speed 88
Colin Keane
Joseph Patrick O'Brien 7/69
Rated well below the principals on our figures and ranked seventh of eight, Monogram heads into this off just the one run, so there is precious little form to go on; he has run over today's trip and going before, and a winning return 22 days ago at least brings freshness to his case.
- Sire
- Kingman (GB)
- Dam
- Pocket Square (GB) by Night Of Thunder
- Owner
- Juddmonte
- Foaled
- 21 Feb 2024
- Stable
- Owning Hill, Co Kilkenny
- Trainer last 14 days
- 7 wins from 69 runs (10%)
- Trainer running to form
- 62%
- Ratings
- Perf 104
Chris Hayes
D K Weld 3/17
Porto Vecchio won last time out but is ranked bottom of this field on our figures, and 57 days off the track adds a fitness query; he has run over today's trip, at least, and stall five is his draw.
- Sire
- Frankel (GB)
- Dam
- Joailliere (IRE) by Dubawi
- Owner
- Moyglare Stud Farm
- Foaled
- 1 Jan 2024
- Stable
- Curragh, Co Kildare
- Trainer last 14 days
- 3 wins from 17 runs (18%)
- Trainer running to form
- 40%
- Ratings
- Perf 91
Placed last time out and a winner two starts back, Trean brings solid recent form into this, and having run over today's trip and going he knows what's required; at 131 lb from stall 6, the weight is the one thing he'll need to overcome.
- Sire
- Bayside Boy (IRE)
- Dam
- Wondrous Words (IRE) by Lope De Vega
- Owner
- Red Lily Racing Syndicate
- Foaled
- 1 Jan 2024
- Stable
- Cashel, Co Tipperary
- Trainer last 14 days
- 1 wins from 9 runs (11%)
- Trainer running to form
- 52%
- Ratings
- Perf 114, Speed 82
Draw in brackets. Headgear: b blinkers, v visor, h hood, t tongue strap, p cheekpieces, e/s eye shield; ¹ first time. C course winner, D distance winner, CD course and distance winner. Form reads oldest to newest.