Classic fancies Pinatubo and Armory to meet in star-studded National Stakes

Crack juveniles Armory and Pinatubo will have their Classic credentials put to the test at the Curragh on Sunday week when they clash in the Vincent O'Brien National Stakes.

The betting for next season's Qipco 2,000 Guineas is headed by Pinatubo at a top price of 3-1 following a devastating success in the Vintage Stakes, but the Charlie Appleby-trained Godolphin colt faces a stern test at the Curragh.

Armory, who has won his last three races and is himself regarded as a leading Classic prospect, is a top price of 12-1 for the 2,000 Guineas after impressing in the Futurity Stakes.

Trainer Aidan O'Brien, who has won the National Stakes 11 times, said: "Armory is going for the National Stakes and he seems in good order. We look forward to all those races when the best horses run against each other, it's good for everybody. Everyone wants to see all the good horses clashing. You win some, you lose some and then you learn."

Aidan O'Brien's National Stakes winners

Desert King 1996
King Of Kings 1997
Beckett 2000
Hawk Wing 2001
One Cool Cat 2003
George Washington 2005
Mastercraftsman 2008
Power 2011
Gleneagles 2014
Air Force Blue 2015
Churchill 2016

O'Brien ran subsequent Derby winner Anthony Van Dyck in the race last year but he had to play second fiddle to the Appleby-trained Quorto.

Appleby is excited about returning to the Curragh with another top prospect and said: "All is well with Pinatubo and this race has always been our aim. He's been pleasing us at home and really the only issue might be if the ground was very testing, but he handled conditions fine at Goodwood and he should be all systems go for the Curragh.

"He has the perfect profile to now be going into Group 1 company and, winning four from four, obviously he is exciting. He is spot on temperamentally."

Pinatubo heads the betting at 8-11 for the 7f Group 1, with Armory next in the betting at 3-1.

The Ger Lyons-trained Siskin, winner of all four of his starts, can be backed at 8-1, but has yet to be committed to the race.

Read The Lowdown from 8.30am daily on racingpost.com and the Racing Post app for all the day's going updates, news and tips