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Classic hero Mac Swiney out to fend off younger brigade in International Stakes

Mac Swiney and Rory Cleary winners of the Irish 2,000 Guineas.The Curragh RacecoursePhoto: Patrick McCann/Racing Post22.05.2021
Mac Swiney: last year's Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas hero has only been placed on one of his last seven startsCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Saturday: 4.20 Curragh
ARM Holding International Stakes (Group 3) | 1m2f | 3yo+ | RTV/RTE2

This €100,000 prize has been won by three-year-olds in each of the past three years, but the older generation hold excellent claims of bucking that recent trend in an interesting edition of this Group 3.

Last season's Irish 2,000 Guineas winner Mac Swiney failed to fire last time in the Tattersalls Gold Cup but looks a major player down in class with the expected rain playing to his strengths.

However, he has only hit the frame in one of his last seven starts, when a cracking third in the Champion Stakes at Ascot.

Fellow four-year-old Rumbles Of Thunder ran out an impressive winner of the Listed Victor McCalmont Memorial Stakes when last seen and is entitled to step back up to this grade for the ultra-shrewd Paddy Twomey.

A reproduction of the Group 2 Mooresbridge Stakes efforts of runner-up Bear Story and third Visualisation should make them competitive too.

As for this year's Classic generation, the 108-rated Aikhal sets the standard for Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore. He looked badly in need of the run when fading from the front in last week's St James's Palace Stakes but brings some quality juvenile form to the table.

He has yet to race beyond a mile but should appreciate stepping up in trip, being by Galileo and out of a half-sister to Irish Derby winner Latrobe and Oaks second Pink Dogwood.

Aikhal: finished fourth to Angel Bleu in last year's Group 1 Criterium International
Aikhal: finished fourth to Angel Bleu in last year's Group 1 Criterium InternationalCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Duke De Sessa needs to find improvement to get off the mark in 2022 but ran creditably when fifth in the Irish 2,000 Guineas last time, while Vega Magnifico, rated just 94, has plenty to find on figures but could develop into a black-type performer.

There was plenty to like about his Navan maiden win last time, and the form has been franked since.

Weld: We expect Duke De Sessa to run a very nice race

Dermot Weld says the decision to skip the Irish Derby with Duke De Sessa in favour of this assignment was a difficult one, but the legendary trainer is pinning his hopes on the classy three-year-old bringing his best form over ten furlongs.

An impressive debut winner here last August, the Newtown Anner Stud homebred looked a potential Classic hope when beating Piz Badile in the Group 3 Eyrefield Stakes at Leopardstown last October.

However, the Lope De Vega colt was out of luck in a pair of Derby trials at Leopardstown before his latest Curragh fifth.

"He ran very well last time in the Irish 2,000 Guineas and is a very consistent horse," said Weld.

"It was a hard call as to whether we'd run him here or in the Irish Derby, but we're keeping to ten furlongs for the moment. We expect him to run a very nice race."


What they say

Mick Halford, trainer of Bear Story
He's in great form and we've been happy with him since the Tattersalls Gold Cup. He's got a 3lb penalty and that makes things tougher, but I'm pleased with how he is and the ground should be ideal. The distance is good for him too.

Joseph O'Brien, trainer of Visualisation and Vega Magnifico
Visualisation ran very well here last time. He'd probably need some rain to be seen to best effect. Vega Magnifico won very well last time and the form of his maidens have worked out well. We think this course and distance should suit him.

Paddy Twomey, trainer of Rumbles Of Thunder
She's a lovely filly and I was very happy with her two runs this year. She ran a very nice race at Cork and she progressed well from that to win readily at Gowran. We've laid out this race for her and it's a big ask taking on the colts – especially the level that they're at – but I think she's in good form and I think the track and trip will suit well.

Aidan O'Brien, trainer of Aikhal
It was his first start back after a break last time at Ascot and he probably just got a bit of stage fright. He hasn't done much since then but we think he'll come on from that run and he seems to be in good form. We always thought that stepping up in trip wouldn't be a problem to him.


Saturday's race previews:

2.25 Newcastle: 'This has always been the plan' – quotes and analysis for the Chipchase Stakes

2.40 Newmarket: can last year's UAE Derby winner Rebel's Romance return to his best on turf?

3.05 Curragh: 'He's even better than before the Norfolk' – Crispy Cat seeks Ascot compensation

3.15 Newmarket: James Doyle replaces Frankie Dettori as Sunray Major chases Group 3 prize

3.30 Newcastle: can Trueshan overcome a tricky draw and big weight to become a Plate legend?

3.45 Curragh: Colin Keane and Aidan O'Brien on Irish Derby hopes Westover and Tuesday


The Greatest Ever Race is an unmissable new Racing Post series in which major racing names, such as Sir Mark Prescott, Rishi Persad, Richard Hoiles, Nick Luck and Jessica Harrington, nominate their greatest race of all time across ten fantastic features, followed by a public vote. It kicks off in the newspaper on Monday, June 20 and every article will be available exclusively to Members' Club Ultimate subscribers online the evening before print publication. Click here to sign up.


Mark BoylanReporter

Published on 24 June 2022inPreviews

Last updated 18:00, 24 June 2022

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