Can a drop in grade see a return to winning ways for Armory?

150 Irish Field Celebrating 150 years Royal Whip Stakes (Group 3)| 3yo+ | 1m2f | RUK

For the first time in nearly a year Armory has been dropped from Group 1 level and, while this looks far from a penalty kick for last year's Futurity Stakes winner, the balance of those efforts at the highest level give him a fine chance of regaining the winning thread

After running a solid fourth on his return to action in the Irish 2,000 Guineas, Armory's first attempt beyond a mile was somewhat inconclusive when fourth to Magical in the 1m2f Tattersalls Gold Cup.

He was first off the bridle that day and received a slight check from stablemate Sir Dragonet before staying on when the principals had already flown.

The Jessica Harrington-trained Leo De Fury finished just behind Armory in the Tattersalls Gold Cup, but is probably better judged on his Mooresbridge Stakes defeat of Fleeting, though the 5lb penalty incurred for that Group 2 success leaves him conceding chunks of weight all round.

Numerian has a bit to find with Leo De Fury from his third in the Mooresbridge, and trainer Joseph O'Brien also saddles the three-year-old Degraves, who is one of the least exposed in the field and rounded off his juvenile season with a win in the Group 3 Eyrefield Stakes on testing ground.

Degraves was entitled to be rusty on his return to action over 1m4f at Leopardstown last month and could be interesting if Armory fails to reproduce his best.

Sinawann strides to success in the Amethyst Stakes at LeopardstownCredit: Patrick McCann

Sinawann looked set to play some sort of a hand in the finish to the Irish 2,000 Guineas until being squeezed up inside the final furlong, and made some amends when winning the Group 3 Amethyst Stakes next time.

Sinawann's three black type siblings all stayed at least 1m2f, and the Aga Khan-owned son of Kingman could be expected to take another step forward.

What they say

Joseph O’Brien, trainer of Numerian and Degraves
Degraves had a nice run on his comeback at Leopardstown and we think he’s come forward from then. We think going back to ten furlongs will be suitable. Numerian has been running consistently well so far this year and although this looks a hot race, we’re hoping for another good run.

Michael Halford, trainer of Sinawann
He's in good form and I'm very happy with how he is at home. It's a good race but I'm looking forward to stepping him up a couple of furlongs. On official ratings we've a bit to find with two of them in particular but this looks a good target for him. He was a left in front a little earlier than ideal in the Amethyst but he has come on since then and we're looking forward to seeing how he gets on over this trip.

Aidan O'Brien, trainer of Armory
We were very happy with his run the last day. He just got a little tightened when delivering his run when the horse outside of him, Leo De Fury, tightened him up but he ran a nice race. We think this sort of trip suits him well and we're looking forward to running him.

Noel Meade, trainer of Helvic Dream
The horse is in great form. We felt he didn't stay at Roscommon and it's worth drawing a line through his run at Galway as he was drawn very wide – he might as well of stayed at home that day. Everything is rated on top of him but, with horses like him, you either give loads of weight away in a handicap or run in races like this. It will be interesting to see how he gets on.

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