'It was a massive run from Aesop's Fables' - is the hot favourite bulletproof?

Sunday: 3.35 Curragh
Goffs Vincent O'Brien National Stakes (Group 1) | 7f | 2yo | ITV4/RTE/RTV

The last five winners of the Futurity were all beaten next time in the National Stakes: Point Lonsdale (2021), Mac Swiney (2020), Armory (2019), Anthony Van Dyck (2018) and Rostropovich (2017).

That doesn't bode well for Aesop's Fables, but such was his superiority on his last visit to the track that it's almost hard to contemplate defeat for the strapping son of No Nay Never.

Aesop's Fables missed the entire summer after his stylish maiden win at Navan in April, but that didn't stop him from making it two from two in the Futurity.

As was the case on debut, he was quite weak in the market, moving out to 3-1, but he defied that drift with an authoritative display under Ryan Moore.

Despite being snubbed by Moore, Hans Andersen went off at a shorter price but he couldn't cope with Aesop's Fables' power inside the final 100 yards.

He was beaten fair and square and it is hard to envisage that form being turned around. If he copes with conditions, the odds-on favourite can provide O'Brien with his 12th success in the race.

The main danger to Aesop's Fables, according to the market, is Marbaan and it is hard to argue with that.

He has done nothing but improve since being beaten in a Newbury maiden in May, and there looked to be no fluke about his Vintage Stakes success at Glorious Goodwood where he beat Chesham winner Holloway Boy.

He has a turn of foot and expect to see Jamie Spencer to show his hand last. On ratings, he has only 2lb to find with the favourite.

Proud And Regal was all the rage ahead of the Futurity but he has two and a half lengths to find on Aesop's Fables, while Railway Stakes winner Shartash steps up to 7f for the first time and could be vulnerable.

It would be no surprise if the imposing Al Riffa had a big say. The more experience he gets the better he is going to be, and he has the scope to develop into a Group 1 performer. A double-figure price about him is generous.

Can Aesop's Fables end a six-year wait for O'Brien?

Given his dominance of Irish Group 1s, in particular with juveniles, it seems somewhat anomalous that Aidan O'Brien has not won the National Stakes since Churchill in 2016, and subsequent top-notch three-year-olds have been beaten in this at two in recent years.

St Mark's Basilica, who won the French Derby, Eclipse and Irish Champion Stakes last year, was only third in 2020, while Epsom Derby hero Anthony Van Dyck was runner-up to Quorto in 2018.

O'Brien is chasing a 12th win in the race he won for the first time in 1996 with Desert King. King Of Kings (1997), Hawk Wing (2001), George Washington (2005), Mastercraftsman (2008) and Gleneagles (2014) were other notable Ballydoyle winners.

This time around O'Brien is doubly represented but it is Aesop's Fables on whom most eyes will be fixed. He returned from a four-month absence to take the Futurity impressively. It looked a cracking performance and his trainer was as impressed as we were.

O'Brien said: "It was a massive run from Aesop's Fables last time because he had been off for a very long time. We couldn't have been happier with what he did and he seems to be in good form since.

On Hans Andersen, he added: "He had a very good run as well in the Futurity and everything has gone well with him too."

What they say

Joseph O'Brien, trainer of Al Riffa
His maiden form looks strong. Obviously, this is a big step up in class but hopefully he can run a big race. He's a nice colt.

Charlie Fellowes, trainer of Marbaan
He won the Vintage Stakes at Goodwood last time a shade cosily and it was either go here or run in a small field Group 2 at Doncaster under a penalty. We have decided to go for the Group 1 and take on the Aidan O'Brien legions. He's worked very nicely with older horses of late and won't mind any ease in the ground.

Donnacha O'Brien, trainer of Proud And Regal
He's been in good form since his last run. Obviously, he has to face the same horses who beat him last time, but we think he'll handle the bit of juice in the ground, so hopefully he might get closer to them.

Johnny Murtagh, trainer of Shartash
I'm very happy with him. I do think stepping up to seven will help him and I don't think he'll mind the ground. He's in good shape, he's ready to go.

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