Keeneland Phoenix Stakes: guide to the possible runners

The Keeneland Phoenix Stakes is the highlight of Phoenix Stakes Family Day at The Curragh on Saturday.

Entry to the track is free (with a pre-booked ticket) and there are free shuttle buses to the track, free activities for children and live music.

The Group One feature, a six-furlong event for two-year-olds, has been won by an Aidan O’Brien runner on 17 occasions. He has six of the 12 possible runners after Tuesday’s confirmation stage.

Here’s a look at all the contenders.

ALABAMA

Trainer: Aidan O’Brien Odds: 25/1

Well-regarded but expensive to follow; he has suffered defeats at 6/4, 8/15 and 11/10 in between an excellent fifth in the Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot. A half-brother to Sioux Nation, winner of this race in 2017, he is also engaged in a 6f maiden earlier on the card.

BUCANERO FUERTE

Trainer: Adrian Murray Odds: 9/2

Amo Racing can do no wrong and this course and distance winner must be respected. Unbeaten in two starts at the track, latterly landing the Railway Stakes, he was a length behind market rival River Tiber in the Coventry Stakes, but he has improved with every run and seems versatile regards the ground. The step up to six furlongs has seemed to suit and he stayed on gamely under pressure last time out for Group Two honours. He is a solid contender.

GIVEMETHEBEATBOYS

Trainer: Jessica Harrington Odds: 6/1

He showed a superb turn of foot to make a winning debut at Navan and took his form to another level when capturing the Marble Hill. Bought by his new owners Bronson Racing for £1.1 million on the eve of Royal Ascot, he ran a race full of promise when fourth in the Coventry before the petrol gauge ran empty in the closing stages. He took a keen hold at the Royal Meeting and if he can just find some cover early, his acceleration could prove a potent weapon for connections who won this event in 2020.

HIS MAJESTY

Trainer: Aidan O’Brien Odds: 33/1

More exposed than some of his stable companions entered for the race, but he has held his form well, backing up debut success at The Curragh over 5f with placed efforts in Group company on his past four starts. The slight concern is the fact that he is more exposed than some of his rivals and he may have just reached his ceiling.

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JOHANNES BRAHMS

Trainer: Aidan O’Brien Odds: 12/1

This 200,000gns purchase was a game winner at Naas on debut and he ran a stormer when second to Big Evs in the Windsor Castle. The winner has franked the form since with his Molecomb heroics and this son of Siyouni was arguably not helped by the drop back to 5f at the Royal Meeting. He was doing all his best work at the finish and his pedigree suggests that he will only improve stepping up in trip. The return to 6f is therefore a huge positive and he could serve it up to River Tiber.

RIVER TIBER

Trainer: Aidan O’Brien Odds: 11/8

One of the outstanding juveniles of the season. A 10-length winner on his debut at Navan, his victories at Naas and in the Coventry Stakes might have lacked the style and panache of his first success, but he has shown the grit to match his talent with those wins. He was all out to win the Coventry but stayed on to good effect there having taken a while to warm to his task. He was arguably not helped making his run towards the far-side, given his rivals stayed on towards the middle of the track. Caravaggio (2016) is the only horse to land the Coventry-Phoenix Stakes double this century, but the son of Wootton Bassett looks to be improving with every run and warrants his place at the top of the betting.

THE CARIBBEAN

Trainer: Aidan O’Brien Odds: 100/1Another Ballydoyle runner who has been kept busy this term. Chinned close home at Naas over 5f, he would perhaps enjoy the step back up to 6f, but his form lacks substance.

UNQUESTIONABLE

Trainer: Aidan O’Brien

This €340,000 purchase opened his account at the second time of asking over the course and distance. Second to Bucanero Fuerte in the Railway, it was a little disappointing that he could not hold onto the lead in the furlong furlong, with the winner rallying strongly under pressure. He still looked green in the closing stages and is another open to untold improvement.

VALIANT FORCE

Trainer: Adrian Murray Odds: 10/1

Relished quick ground when a 150/1 winner of the Norfolk Stakes. The form has since taken a few knocks, despite the third winning in France. Gives the impression that he is better over the 5f and there has to be some stamina doubts. More likely to head for the Prix Morny.

GAENARI

Trainer: Diego Dias__ Odds: 33/1

Trained enjoyed a winner at Glorious Goodwood and this filly has two Listed seconds to her name. More needed.

LAUNCH

Trainer: Adrian Murray Odds: 100/1

Still a maiden after six starts and needs a massive career best.

PORTA FORTUNA

Trainer: Donnacha O’Brien Odds: 9/2

Her trainer never won this race as a jockey but has a live contender in the shape of this filly. A winner over 5f at the track on heavy ground has been followed up by a brace of Group Three successes, latterly capturing the Albany Stakes in impressive fashion at Royal Ascot. The form looks solid with the second (Matrika) and fourth (Persian Dreamer) enjoying Group success next time out, while the manner in which she stretched away from her rivals was impressive. She gets 3lb from the colts and has a potent turn of foot.

Danny's Verdict

To follow on Thursday once the final declarations are in.