'He's even better than before the Norfolk' - Crispy Cat seeks Ascot compensation

Saturday: 3.05 Curragh
GAIN Railway Stakes (Group 2) | 6f | 2yo | RTV/RTE2

What do Rock Of Gibraltar, Holy Roman Emperor and Van Beethoven have in common?

All three are winners of this Group 2 prize for Aidan O'Brien, but more interestingly they were beaten at Royal Ascot on their previous start.

That is exactly what last week's Coventry Stakes fourth and seventh Blackbeard and Age Of Kings will bid to achieve for the Ballydoyle camp this time, attempting to defy an 11-day turnaround.

Rock Of Gibraltar was sixth in the 2001 Coventry before beating Hawk Wing here 12 days later, Holy Roman Emperor finished 15th in the same Ascot contest in 2006 before his Curragh strike, while Van Beethoven overcame just a seven-day gap between finishing fourth in the Windsor Castle Stakes and winning here in 2018.

Blackbeard: edged out Crispy Cat by a short head at the beginning of last monthCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Blackbeard posted an impressive performance when making all over this course and distance in the Group 3 Marble Hill Stakes, and he could be the one to beat if getting his own way on the front end.

After tracking the leaders, he made solid headway but could never really land a telling blow at Ascot, beaten three and three-quarter lengths by Bradsell. Age Of Kings, who had been well backed, now returns in a tongue-tie.

Shartash edged out Age Of Kings with a likeable display at Naas seven weeks ago and is open to further improvement having had just two starts, while Crispy Cat brings the Norfolk form to the table.

He ran a blinder to finish third after suffering interference from The Ridler, and before that had failed by just a neck at Sandown to give 5lb to Maria Branwell, who then ran well to finish third in the Queen Mary.

Blackbeard edged out Crispy Cat by a short head at the beginning of last month when they clashed here over 5f in the Listed First Flier Stakes.

Crispy Cat camp hoping for change of luck

Amo Racing and Rossa Ryan plundered this prize 12 months ago with the admirable Go Bears Go, who had been touched off in the Norfolk Stakes a week earlier, and the same combination have strong claims of a repeat with Crispy Cat.

Ryan was aboard Norfolk Stakes runner-up Walbank when Crispy Cat was tightened up by The Ridler in third, but he will be familiar with the Michael O'Callaghan-trained two-year-old from partnering him to finish second in the Listed National Stakes at Sandown last month.

"You'd have to be looking forward to him after his run in the Norfolk," said Ryan.

The Ridler (red silks): did no favours to Crispy Cat (left) in last week's NorfolkCredit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

"Changing things up by dropping him in last time seemed to work a treat. I think he could be able to show even more speed doing something like that over six furlongs now."

Ryan added: "It's a short turnaround from Ascot but he's a tough horse, and last year we saw Go Bears Go was able to do it.

"I'm not saying this horse is Go Bears Go, but he is a hardy two-year-old too, and Michael wouldn't be running him if he didn't feel he was able."

Crispy Cat has been giving O'Callaghan all the right signs at home that a bold bid is imminent.

The trainer said: "He's even better in the last couple of days than he had been before Ascot – he's bouncing. We did a little bit during the week to see if he's all right and he showed off a bit.

"It was a frustrating thing at Ascot, but that's racing and you have to put it behind you and move on."

What they say

Aidan O'Brien, trainer of Age Of Kings and Blackbeard
We're going back a little quickly but they seem to be well. Blackbeard ran very well and Age Of Kings was a bit green, so we hope he may have learned a bit from it.

Joseph O'Brien, trainer of Apache Outlaw
He's improved with each run. We're hoping he can acquit himself well.

Johnny Murtagh, trainer of Shartash
It was a good race for me as a rider, I won it a couple of times [on Mastercraftsman and Alfred Nobel], and Shartash goes there in good form. I was very happy with his win at Naas last time. We picked out the Railway as his next starting point and everything has gone smoothly since. We're hopeful.

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?

3.15 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

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

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