4.45 Comer Group International Irish St Leger (Group 1) 1m 6f
Al Qareem: Group 2 and Group 3 winner is a solid sort around this trip but has been safely held in two previous appearances at the highest level. Also declared for the 2.05 at Chester today.
Crypto Force: No major fireworks in 2024 after returning from layoff. Reasonable fourth behind Continuous in the Royal Whip last time. Much more required now and trip an unknown.
Giavellotto: Five-year-old comes here in the form of his life, fresh from clearcut wins in the Group 2 Yorkshire Cup and Group 2 Princess Of Wales’s Stakes. Faces Kyprios for the first time and has already lowered the colours of Vauban this season. If the favourite fails to perform to his very best, he’ll be ready to pounce.
Kyprios: Top stayer in training is going for two wins in the space of three runnings of this race, runner-up here 12 months ago when returning from a 344-day absence after a potentially life-threatening setback. Has roared back to his old self this season, unbeaten in four starts, including the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot and, most recently, a dominant Goodwood Cup triumph. Possibly at his best over further than this nowadays but sets a high standard.
Vauban: High-class, dual-purpose performer hadn’t quite recaptured his best in first three starts of the season but more like it when winning the Group 2 Lonsdale Cup at York last month. Has been beaten by both Kyprios and Giavellotto already this season but likely didn’t stay behind the former in the Gold Cup and was returning from 192 days off (and a trip to Melbourne) when behind the latter in the Yorkshire Cup.
Waldadler: German challenger couldn’t get involved from off the pace in Deauville Group 2 last time (ready winner made all), though did beat today’s rival Nastaria by three lengths in a listed race at Hoppegarten over this trip in April. Has plenty to find to upset the big guns.
Nastaria: Another raider from Germany who bagged her fourth listed win at Hoppegarten five weeks ago over this trip. Will have her work cut out based on official rating of 100.
The Euphrates: Sole three-year-old in the line-up was a five-length second to Crystal Black in the Group 3 Ballyroan Stakes at Leopardstown last month. Has yet to race over further than a mile and a half but does have a chance of staying on pedigree. Career-best required.
Conclusion
Perhaps he ideally wants further than this in Group 1 company, but it’s difficult to look beyond the established standard-bearer of the staying division, Kyprios. He’s bidding to continue an unbeaten season, will have no issue with conditions and has won 10 of his last 12 starts (second on the other two). Giavellotto is a dangerous challenger with the potential to give him a proper race.