Goffs Vincent O'Brien National Stakes: runner-by-runner guide
By Alex Scott
Last Updated: Thu 10 Sep 2026
Alex Scott studies all eleven runners left in Sunday's juvenile Group One at the Curragh, live on Racing TV.
1 AIX LA CHAPELLE
Justify x Immortal Verse (Pivotal)
T: Aidan O’Brien. Best odds: 16-1.
The half-brother to Henri Matisse and Tenebrism got off the mark at the first attempt over this course and distance in June but did not take the step forward many anticipated when fourth (demoted from third due to inference) in the Tyros Stakes, also over seven furlongs at Leopardstown in July.
The form of that latest race has been somewhat boosted since, with the first two home (both of whom re-oppose here) subsequently chasing home the smart Sun Goddess and Giant Sequoia, the latter of whom also lines up in this.
Given a seven-week break, he is still open to improvement and should stay further than this.
2 DR RASCAL
Sottsass x Little Miss Rascal (Zoffany)
T: Oliver Cole. Best odds: 4-1.
Watch how Dr Rascal remained unbeaten in the Coral Vintage Stakes.
Three from three over seven furlongs, the son of Sottsass continued his rise through the ranks with a half-length victory over the re-opposing Haffner in the Vintage Stakes at Glorious Goodwood.
Had previously shown his liking for a stiffer track when making all to win by over two lengths at Ascot having got loose beforehand, and is another that is sure to stay further despite not being short of speed.
3 FLORIDA BAY
Mehmas x Ripponette (Le Havre)
T: Aidan O’Brien. Best odds: 14-1.
A possible pace angle in the race for Ballydoyle. Florida Bay has won two of his five starts and has been steadily progressive.
His two most recent starts have seen him make all to win the Tyros Stakes, comfortably ahead of the re-opposing Aix La Chapelle, before he finished second to stablemate Giant Sequoia in the Group Two Futurity Stakes over this course and distance.
That rival re-opposes here and Florida Bay has just half a length to find on last months’ form, where it is fair to say he was given a sympathetic ride close home.
4 FOLSOM BLUES
Blue Point x Liwa Palace (Oasis Dream)
T: Joseph O’Brien. Best odds: 10-1.
Another progressive colt, the son of Blue Point followed up his debut third with a seven and a half-length victory when upped to seven furlongs on his second start.
Though that maiden win was visually impressive, he improved upon that performance to finish second in the Tyros, splitting Florida Bay and Aix La Chapelle, and then stepped forward again last month when second to Sun Goddess in the Group One Phoenix Stakes.
5 GIANT SEQUOIA
Frankel x Pink Dogwood (Camelot)
T: Aidan O’Brien. Best odds: 3-1.
Watch how Giant Sequoia won the Irish EBF Futurity Stakes last week.
The well-bred son of Frankel is one of the leading contenders for this race after two victories from three starts, most recently when winning the Futurity over course and distance, won last year by Constitution River.
He has a long way to go to reach those heights but he is going the right way, and though he is not top on ratings, it would be no surprise if he took another step forward in this much deeper contest.
His dam finished second in the Oaks and a is a half-sister to stayer Latrobe, so he should stay much further than this next season.
6 HAFFNER
Justify x Earth Strike (Zoffany)
T: Aidan O’Brien. Best odds: 4-1.
Haffner was strong at the finish in the Acomb Stakes last month.
Two from four, Haffner is yet another progressive colt trained by Aidan O’Brien. Winner of a traditionally very strong maiden at Newmarket’s July Course, he then finished second behind Dr Rascal at Goodwood, before winning the Acomb impressively.
Ryan Moore was kept busy on him at York last time, but although he had to be stoked along and given reminders to keep up to his work, he ran out a two-length winner, doing his best work at the finish and galloping powerfully through the line.
A lot of that most recent piece of form has not yet been tested, but the fourth-placed Alfred Wallace did win the Solario Stakes next time out.
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7 MONOGRAM
Kingman x Pocket Square (Night Of Thunder)
T: Joseph O’Brien. Best odds: 2-1.
One of the ‘could be anything’ category after winning his only start, a newcomers’ maiden, over course and distance three weeks ago.
The son of Kingman was well-backed in the market there, going off the 4-6 favourite, and though he was slowly away, got the job done by a short-head, with almost certainly more improvement to come on this second start.
8 PORTO VECCHIO
Frankel x Joailliere (Dubawi)
T: Dermot Weld. Best odds: 14-1.
Like Monogram, Porto Vecchio won over this course and distance on debut this summer but has not been seen since.
The full-brother to the yard’s Irish 1000 Guineas heroine Homeless Songs showed signs of greenness and was slightly keen early on last time, but won by half a length and is another who’s profile suggests a step up beyond seven furlong would suit?
9 SILK TWIST
Churchill x Black Silk (Foxwedge)
T: Thomas Mullins. Best odds: 100-1.
Silk Twist is yet to run in any race and it would be a huge surprise should this maiden be good enough on his racecourse debut.
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10 SOUTH DAKOTA
St Mark’s Basilica x Palace (Fastnet Rock)
T: Aidan O’Brien. Best odds: 33-1.
The final Ballydoyle representative, South Dakota finished fourth in the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot, but frustratingly, could not get off the mark on his next two starts at a lower level. However, a career best and a first win were posted less than two weeks ago .
11 TREAN
Bayside Boy x Wondrous Words (Lope De Vega)
T: Paddy Twomey. Best odds: 25-1.
Despite the nagging suspicion the son of Bayside Boy would be more effective over six furlongs rather than seven, he still stuck to his task well at Goodwood last time, coming home third, two and a quarter lengths behind the re-opposing winner Haffner.
Verdict
To follow at declarations.
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