Benbaun team mull future targets

A change of tactics has been blamed for Benbaun’s flop in the July Cup at Newmarket last week.

Mark Wallace’s Prix de l’Abbaye winner was giving off all the right signals before the race but trailed home 10th of 13.

The Patrick P O’Leary Memorial Phoenix Sprint Stakes at the Curragh could now be taken in before the Nunthorpe at York.

“We tried to ride him differently and it back-fired,” admitted Wallace.

“He pulled too hard and he has never pulled in his life before, he’s used to bowling along handily.

“Also, I don’t think he stays six furlongs there. He’s won over six at the Curragh but the July course is stiffer and I think he’s a five-furlong horse at the highest level.

“He has an entry in the Phoenix Sprint at the Curragh over six but he gets it there because they go slower.

“That might just come too close to the Nunthorpe though, I’ll have to see.”

Benbaun is widely available at 16-1 for the Coolmore-sponsored Nunthorpe on August 22.