Royal Whip run could determine Zahraan plans

Zahrann could set up an exciting autumn if regaining the winning thread in the Newbridge Silverware Royal Whip Stakes at the Curragh on Saturday.

Impressive when climbing the ladder earlier in the season, Johnny Murtagh’s talented colt lost little in defeat when narrowly failing to reel in Amiloc at Royal Ascot and with Group One entries having been made for later in the season, he faces another examination of his potential as he takes on star older horse Los Angeles in this red-hot Group Three event.

Murtagh said: “Everything has gone smoothly since Ascot. He ran great in the King Edward VII Stakes and he came out of it well. We gave him plenty of time to get over it and we’re looking forward now to going to the Curragh.

“It’s a tough looking race but it will tell us where we’re going for the rest of the season. We hope it goes well at the weekend and we will get that out of the way first then make a plan.”

The Aidan O’Brien-trained Los Angeles heads the market for the 10-furlong contest, but he is on a retrieval mission after disappointing when a well-beaten favourite in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at the Royal meeting.

The proven quality in the line-up, last year’s Irish Derby winner is unbeaten at this venue and connections will be hoping the return to Kildare proves inspirational in this stopping point en-route to the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

O’Brien also looks to hold a strong hand in the Comer Group International Irish St Leger Trial, where Puppet Master has been tasked with enhancing the handler’s fine record in the race.

Willie Mullins will saddle the consistent Absurde in opposition, while Dallas Star will bid to continue Adrian Murray’s dream run at the Curragh after last weekend’s big-race double.

Murray said: “He will be going with a chance. He’s a good horse without being probably a top-draw horse, but a race like this should suit him.

“He got within a couple of lengths of Kyprios earlier in the season and it takes a good horse to do that and I do think he will run a big race.

“He’s probably a little bit short of being that top, top horse, but you’d like to think he can be competitive and I think this trip will be key to him and his forte down the road. I guess we’ll know more after the race on Saturday evening.”

Murray also has strong claims in the Listed Mitsubishi Electric Curragh Irish EBF Curragh Stakes with Ipanema Queen, who impressed over a furlong extra here on debut.

Although struggling to make an impression in what has proven a strong renewal of the Albany Stakes, the daughter of Sands Of Mali bumped into an above-average type when second to Havana Anna in the Marwell Stakes at Naas and is fancied to hit the frame in her second outing at five furlongs.

Murray added: “I expect her to run a nice race, the horses are all very well in themselves and I couldn’t be happier with how they are going.

“She’s a course winner and when you’ve won there it’s a plus. We’re happy to let her take her chance and she’s in great form.”