4.10 Goffs Vincent O’Brien

National Stakes (Group 1) 7f

Aomori City: Supplemented for this race at a cost of €40,000 earlier this week on the back of reportedly pleasing connections in his homework. Finished third to Whistlejacket in the July Stakes prior to landing Group 2 Vintage Stakes at Goodwood, and that form looks solid after third-placed Cool Hoof Luke won the Gimcrack on his next start. His connections, Charlie Appleby, William Buick and Godolphin, won this race with another Oasis Dream colt back in 2021, Native Trail.

Cowardofthecounty: Made quite the impression when beating Whistlejacket in a testing-ground maiden here in April before getting behind in the Coventry Stakes and running well to only be beaten a length and three quarters. Again got on the back foot over six furlongs when a shade disappointing in the Anglesey Stakes but relished getting up to seven furlongs for the first time when landing a Deauville Group 3 five weeks ago. That form boosted by runner-up winning a Group 3 on next start. Stable jockey rides Scorthy Champ.

Henri Matisse: Unbeaten in three starts, all coming at this venue. Railway Stakes winner coped with the step up to seven furlongs just fine when winning the Futurity Stakes three weeks ago. Ran around a little in front on that occasion. Bids to provide Aidan O’Brien with a 13th win in this race.

Hill Road: Barrier trial winner delivered an impressive performance to win a mile maiden on his rules debut at Leopardstown five weeks ago, and that form received a boost this week when fourth-placed Trinity College bolted up by 12 lengths in a Galway maiden. Interesting to note that he won his maiden in a faster time than Mutasarref claimed the Group 3 Desmond Stakes over the same course and distance that day.

Rock Of Cashel: Decisive winner of a Galway Festival maiden but needs to raise his game from trailing the four-runner Futurity Stakes field last time when sent on from the front.

Scorthy Champ: Impressive Leopardstown maiden winner in May met with a mid-season hold-up and was reported to be using the Futurity Stakes as a stepping stone to the autumn when third, beaten two lengths, behind Henri Matisse. Given he was slowly away, that was an encouraging effort and he’s bound to have improvement to come.

Seagulls Eleven: Third highest-rated runner in the line-up, though still officially 7lb behind standard setter Henri Matisse. Runner-up to Ancient Truth in the Group 2 Superlative Stakes nine weeks ago, and the third, Wimbledon Hawkeye, has since finished second in the Group 3 Acomb Stakes. Place claims but does need another step forward.

The Parthenon: Gowran maiden winner was disappointing as 10/11 favourite when trailing three-runner listed field at Salisbury last month (reportedly lost a shoe). Now returns in a visor.

Conclusion:

Henri Matisse is clearly high class, and Aomari City brings group-level form to the table too, but at the sort of prices they were trading at this week, it could be worth taking a chance on Hill Road. A $350,000 yearling who struck by five lengths on debut, he’s open to any amount of progress and looks to have plenty of quality about him. Scorthy Champ is similarly unexposed and adds depth to proceedings.