Straightforwardtask for Septimus
His Septimus is certain to go off odds-on to land the Irish Field St Leger and this classy colt is hard to oppose.
He went from strength to strength last season, looking the natural successor to Yeats. The son of Sadler’s Wells has had just one outing so far this campaign and it was a very pleasing return.
That was in a Group 3 at headquarters in late June, when Septimus eased two and a half lengths clear of Mores Wells.
The likes of Mores Wells and Hasanka are useful in their own right, but Septimus should carry far too many guns for them.
John Oxx’s Katiyra is a confident nap choice in the Group 2 Irish National Stud Blandford Stakes.
A progressive filly, the daughter of Peintre Celebre performed solidly in both the English and Irisk Oaks.
At Epsom, she filled third spot behind Look Here and Moonstone and then was fifth to Moonstone at the Curragh.
Chances are that Katiyra didn’t quite see out the mile and half either time and she got back on the winning trail, over ten furlongs, with a smooth success at Gowran Park last month.
Michael Kinane partners Katiyra and he and Oxx can also take the Flame Of Tara EBF Stakes with once-raced Tanoura.
She finished to real effect when landing a maiden at Leopardstown and should be well suited by stepping up another furlong in trip.
At the Curragh tomorrow Mastercraftsman and Arazan promise a fascinating tussle for the Bank Of Scotland (Ireland) National Stakes.
Arazan created a big impression when taking the Futurity Stakes on this track by four lengths, but preference is for Mastercraftsman.
He produced an even more eye-catching performance at the Curragh, slamming Art Connoisseur and subsequent French Group 1 winner, Bushranger, in the Phoenix Stakes.
Aidan O’Brien trains Mastercraftsman and has live prospects as well with Freemantle and Zulu Chief.
Freemantle made a solid start when third to Driving Snow and Black Bear Island at the Curragh in July, a contest which has worked out really well.
Zulu Chief shaped as if he would come on a bundle for the experience when third to stable companion, King Of Rome, at Leopardstown and is the one to beat in the Ascon Rohcon Solonaway Stakes.
Amarama, who ran his best race to date when runner-up behind Tis Mighty in the Cambridgeshire at the Curragh, gets the nap in the Bank Of Scotland (Ireland) Handicap.
