1m KPMG Champions Juvenile Stakes (Group 2) (Registered as the Golden Fleece Stakes) (2yo)
Diego Velazquez is short in the betting for next year’s Derby, and that double was achieved by his stablemate Auguste Rodin this June. O’Brien clearly targets this race with top middle distance prospects so it’s difficult to see past the favourite after such an impressive debut. However he’s only a once-raced maiden winner and the form of that race looks ordinary. so I’m going to take him on. I’m intrigued by FORMAL DISPLAY for Ger Lyons as he was well fancied on debut, finishing second to Atlantic Coast, and is thrown straight into a Group Two despite still being a maiden. He’s a half brother to the classy Time Test and they must think he’s got a lot of ability. I like 20/1 each-way. Very similar comments apply to BAD DESIRE who also came second on his sole start, looking outstayed on heavy ground over a marginally longer trip. He’s a big price at 28/1 and I’m usually happy enough backing progeny of Wootton Bassett blind in these types of races.
0.5pts each-way Formal Display 20/1, 0.5pts each-way Bad Desire 28/1, 14:15 Leopardstown, Saturday
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