Key quotes from trainers as Fahey takes aim with two

4.10 Curragh
At The Races Phoenix Sprint Stakes (Gr 3) | 3yo and up| 6f| ATR

Richard Fahey has done well over the years with the sprinters he has sent to Ireland and he is two-handed in this Group 3 with recent Chester Listed winner Kimberella and Mr Lupton.

Declan McDonogh rides Kimberella, with Billy Lee partnering Mr Lupton, and Fahey said: "You need a bit of luck in Ireland but on ratings they're knocking on the door.

"Kimberella is in great form, is a tough horse, and I was really proud of him winning at Chester last weekend.

"Mr Lupton is a decent horse on his day but can be hard to put your finger on."

Koropick has 'each-way chance'

The British challenge is completed by the Hugo Palmer-trained Koropick, who is owned by Ibrahim Araci and whose racing manager Rob Speers said: "We always felt he might handle a bit of cut in the ground but he's twice run at Newbury this year when they've had absolute deluges and got stuck in the mud.

Koropick and Josephine Gordon after victory at NewcastleCredit: John Grossick Racing Photography

"We're going to Ireland for better ground – he was fifth in the Middle Park on fast ground and ran second to Battaash at Sandown on good to firm. His run in the Hackwood last time was disappointing, but he just didn't go on the ground."

He added: "On the back of his second to Battaash and his win in the Chipchase, for which he has a Group 3 penalty, I'm hopeful he's going there with a good each-way chance."

Lord Byron chasing 17th success

Curragh sprints have played a big part in Gordon Lord Byron's career and the nine-year-old is back chasing what would be win number 17 of his remarkable career.

Four of his wins have been achieved at the Curragh, where he notched his most recent success in May when landing the Group 2 Greenlands Stakes.

Trainer Tom Hogan said "The old boy's in great form. I'd say he's as well now as he's been for a long time, but it will be a tough task for him with his Group 2 penalty.

"He was caught out by the slow pace last time he ran but they should go a lot quicker here and that should be a help."

O'Brien has three shots

One Cool Cat in 2004 was Aidan O'Brien's only winner of this event and the Ballydoyle trainer fields a team of three, with Ryan Moore partnering Washington DC, Donnacha O'Brien riding supplementary entry Cougar Mountain and Seamie Heffernan teaming up with Intelligence Cross, who finished in rear in the Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville a week ago.

O'Brien said: "Washington DC ran quite well in the King George Stakes at Goodwood on ground far from ideal. We're going back up to six furlongs with him – Ryan thought he was ready for six, especially on fast ground.

Washington DC and Seamie Heffernan (near side) win the Woodlands StakesCredit: Patrick McCann

"We're shortening Cougar Mountain in trip. He hasn't won this year but has run some good races. He ran well over sprint distances early in his career and we think he still has plenty of pace."

The trainer added: "Intelligence Cross came out of his Deauville run well and is in good form. He'll like the quick ground and the trip should be fine for him."

'Always the plan' for Mr Scarlet

Mr Scarlet, fifth behind Caravaggio in the Commonwealth Cup, represents Sheila Lavery, who said:

Completing the line-up are the Fozzy Stack-trained Son Of Rest, both of whose wins have been over five furlongs on slow ground, the Jessica Harrington-trained Khukri, a dual winner over the trip, and the Eddie Lynam-trained Moviesta, a course-and-distance winner at this level two years ago and who regained the winning thread at Dundalk last time out.

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