Quiet Reflection out to salvage something from interrupted season

Renaissance Stakes (Group 3) 3yo+ | 6f | ATR

Key questions

Many of the runners in this sprint have shown an appreciation for today's ground including the Willie McCreery-trained Downforce.

The Fast Company gelding bolted up on his seasonal debut in a stakes race at Cork when it was barely raceable earlier in the season.

He did not progress as some may have expected after that impressive performance but showed definite signs of improvement when beaten a nose by Tommy Taylor at York earlier this month.

Can O’Brien land back-to-back renewals?

Aidan O'Brien, successful 12 months ago with The Happy Prince, runs three this year headed by Alphabet, who finished a creditable second behind stablemate Caravaggio in the Flying Five Stakes at the Curragh last time.

The Ballydoyle trio is completed by Cougar Mountain, who will be ridden by Donnacha O’Brien and Peace Envoy, the mount of Seamie Heffernan.

O’Brien said: “Alphabet has shown her best form over five furlongs and ran second to Caravaggio last time. She's in good form and we're hoping that going back up in trip won't be a problem.

“Peace Envoy won over the trip last year and will be going the distance for the first time this season. We think it will suit. Cougar Mountain is a solid performer who should run his usual good race.”

Can Reflection return to form?

Quiet Reflection, twice successful in Group 1 sprints last season, has had an interrupted campaign this year and will be trying to salvage something out of her season on her favoured going.

Karl Burke believes the four-year-old will improve for the run, her first in 120 days, and said: “She looks fantastic, stronger and more mature, and is moving brilliantly but definitely she will improve for the run as I have left her a bit short on purpose with Ascot in mind. She is seven to eight kilos above her winning weight.”

What the other trainers say

Tom Hogan, trainer of Gordon Lord Byron
It will be tough for him to give weight away to everything but we'll give it a go and hopefully he can pick up some prize-money.

Joe Murphy, trainer of Only Mine
We're a bit concerned about the ground. She doesn't mind an ease in the going but she doesn’t get to utilise her speed on heavy. It’s the end of the season and we said we’d give it a go. She is in the big sprint at Ascot on Champions Day but we'll see how we go here before making any plans on that.

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