Keeneland Phoenix Stakes: runner-by-runner guide and verdict

The Keeneland Phoenix Stakes is the highlight of Phoenix Stakes Family Day at The Curragh on Saturday.

Entry to the track is free (with a pre-booked ticket) and there are free shuttle buses to the track, free activities for children and live music.

The Group One feature, a six-furlong event for two-year-olds, has been won by an Aidan O’Brien runner on 17 occasions. He relies on Unquestionable and His Majesty.

Here’s a look at all the contenders.

Trainer: Adrian Murray Best odds: 3-1

Amo Racing can do no wrong and this course and distance winner must be respected. Unbeaten in two starts at the track, latterly landing the Railway Stakes, he was a length behind market rival River Tiber in the Coventry Stakes, but he has improved with every run and seems versatile regards the ground. The step up to six furlongs has seemed to suit and he stayed on gamely under pressure last time out for Group Two honours. He is a solid contender.

Trainer: Jessica Harrington Odds: 8-1

He showed a superb turn of foot to make a winning debut at Navan and took his form to another level when capturing the Marble Hill. Bought by his new owners Bronson Racing for £1.1 million on the eve of Royal Ascot, he ran a race full of promise when fourth in the Coventry before the petrol gauge ran empty in the closing stages. He took a keen hold at the Royal Meeting and if he can just find some cover early, his acceleration could prove a potent weapon for connections who won this event in 2020.

Trainer: Aidan O’Brien Odds: 18-1

More exposed than some of his stable companions entered for the race, but he has held his form well, backing up debut success at The Curragh over 5f with placed efforts in Group company on his past four starts. The slight concern is the fact that he is more exposed than some of his rivals and he may have just reached his ceiling.

Trainer: Aidan O’Brien. Odds: 11-4

This €340,000 purchase opened his account at the second time of asking over the course and distance. Second to Bucanero Fuerte in the Railway, it was a little disappointing that he could not hold onto the lead in the furlong furlong, with the winner rallying strongly under pressure. He still looked green in the closing stages and is another open to untold improvement.

Trainer: Diego Dias__ Odds: 28-1

Trained enjoyed a winner at Glorious Goodwood and this filly has two Listed seconds to her name. More needed.

Trainer: Adrian Murray Odds: 80-1

Still a maiden after six starts and needs a massive career best.

Trainer: Donnacha O’Brien Odds: 11-4

Her trainer never won this race as a jockey but has a live contender in the shape of this filly. A winner over 5f at the track on heavy ground has been followed up by a brace of Group Three successes, latterly capturing the Albany Stakes in impressive fashion at Royal Ascot. The form looks solid with the second (Matrika) and fourth (Persian Dreamer) enjoying Group success next time out, while the manner in which she stretched away from her rivals was impressive. She gets 3lb from the colts and has a potent turn of foot.

The undoubted standard-setters are the Railway Stakes 1-2 Bucanero Fuerte and UNQUESTIONABLE. The latter’s inexperience might have just found him out on that occasion as he looked like being a clear winner before being reeled in. I expect Unquestionable to come forward from that effort and feel he has the higher ceiling going forward. He gets the nod.

There is some rain forecast to hit the track on Friday, before an uncertain forecast on Saturday, with the ground currently Good to Yielding. Porta Fortuna is far from discounted given her effectiveness on a variety of surfaces, but her form maybe just lacks the substance needed to win this event.