Benbaun primed for Curragh prize

Benbaun is set to bid for his sixth victory at the Curragh when he returns to the premier Irish track on Saturday week.

Mark Wallace’s star sprinter is in tip-top form after winning the Nolan & Brophy Auctioneers Flying Five for the third consecutive year on Sunday and now goes for the St Jovite Renaissance Stakes.

“He’s come out of his last race in top form. We’ll just freshen him up and send him back,” said Wallace.

“Pat Smullen will ride him again and as long as the ground is fast he’ll run again.”

Benbaun was beaten a neck in the Renaissance, a Group Three contest over six furlongs, two years ago and Wallace has high hopes he can go one better this time.

“He didn’t quite get home that day after being kicked on into the lead three furlongs out,” Wallace added.

“He definitely gets six furlongs now, Pat gets on well with him so we’ll take our time a bit more in the race.

“He’ll take a lot of beating the way he’s come out of his last race.”