Bucanero Fuerte 'in great order' for clash with Ballydoyle aces in Phoenix Stakes on Saturday

Bucanero Fuerte: third in the Coventry at Royal Ascot last week

Bucanero Fuerte: set to contest the Phoenix StakesCredit: Patrick McCann

Aidan O'Brien may have 17 wins in the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes but will have to overcome a rival daring to dream of what would be a "brilliant" debut win in the sport's top tier on Saturday.

Veteran trainer Adrian Murray has enjoyed a phenomenal campaign with his two-year-olds so far in 2023 and has set his sights on taking on the might of Ballydoyle in the first Group 1 of the year for juveniles with Group 2 Railway Stakes winner Bucanero Fuerte at the Curragh.

As a measure of his amazing season, Murray has three possible runners among 12 contenders for the Keeneland Phoenix Stakes (4.40), with 150-1 Royal Ascot winner Valiant Force and six-race maiden Launch alongside Bucanero Fuerte. All three are in the ownership of the emerging force that is Amo Racing.

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Conor FennellyReporter and emerging talent award winner

Published on 8 August 2023inIreland

Last updated 21:13, 8 August 2023

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