Group Three Phoenix Sprint Stakes Guide 2023

Alex Dudley | @@Alex_Dudz_

Curragh - August 11 2023
Curragh 14:25
1(8)
Connor Beasley

Commanche Falls

J: Connor Beasley
T: Michael Dods
N/A
Age: 6
Weight: 9-10
OR: 112
Days: 21

Commanche Falls is a runner for Michael Dods in the Phoenix Sprint Stakes this weekend. The six-year-old is chasing a hat-trick of wins this weekend after landing consecutive victories over six furlongs at the Curragh and Newbury.

The latter saw him beat Diligent Harry by a head in the G3 Hackwood Stakes. Connor Beasley takes the ride on the in-form runner.

Curragh - August 11 2023
Curragh 14:25
4(10)
Shane Foley

Hurricane Ivor

J: Shane Foley
T: Mrs John Harrington
N/A
Age: 6
Weight: 9-7
OR: 99
Days: 21

Hurricane Ivor will be looking to bounce back this weekend after disappointing efforts in his previous two starts. The latest of those saw him finish 18th of 20 over six and a half furlongs in the Scurry Handicap at the Curragh.

A response will be needed for the John Harrington-trained runner, and Shane Foley takes the ride on the six-year-old.

Curragh - August 11 2023
Curragh 14:25
2(11)
Danny Sheehy

Big Gossey

J: Danny Sheehy
T: Charles O'Brien
N/A
Age: 6
Weight: 9-7
OR: 102
Days: 21

Charles O’Brien’s runner in the race this weekend is Big Gossey. The six-year-old has been well held on his previous efforts at the Curragh this season, mostly recently finishing ninth of 20 in the Paddy Power Scurry Handicap.

He is without a win in six stakes in stakes company. Danny Sheehy takes the ride this weekend.

DateCourseDistanceTypeWeightPosition
29/11/23DUN6St9-96
05/11/23CUR7Hy9-51
27/10/23DUN5St10-07
14/10/23NAA6Sft/Hy9-73
06/10/23DUN5St9-74
Curragh - August 11 2023
Curragh 14:25
3(3)
Ronan Whelan

Go Athletico

J: Ronan Whelan
T: Adrian McGuinness
N/A
Age: 5
Weight: 9-7
OR: 108
Days: 21

Go Athletico represents the Adrian McGuinness stable this weekend. The five-year-old has made two starts since joining the yard, most recently finishing second behind Art Power in the G2 Sapphire Stakes.

However, he remains of interest after a strong effort over five furlongs earlier in the season when beating Ano Syra by two lengths at Cork. Ronan Whelan is in the saddle.

Curragh - August 11 2023
Curragh 14:25
7(7)
Dylan Browne McMonagle

Ano Syra

J: Dylan Browne McMonagle
T: John James Feane
N/A
Age: 4
Weight: 9-4
OR: 98
Days: 21

Ano Syra is among the runners at the bottom of the weights this weekend. She is without a win in seven starts in stakes company, which includes a two-length loss against Go Atletico in June.

The John James Feane runner has landed just three victories from 12 starts under rules. Dylan Browne McMonagle takes the ride on Saturday.

Curragh - August 11 2023
Curragh 14:25
5(5)
W J Lee

Moss Tucker

J: W J Lee
T: K J Condon
N/A
Age: 5
Weight: 9-7
OR: 106
Days: 21

Moss Tucker has made just one appearance since the start of June, as he finished third of eight behind Art Power in the G2 Sapphire Stakes.

However, he has some back form to his name after landing a stakes win over five furlongs by a length and a half from Tenebrism at Naas in April. His chances will be improved with rain this weekend.

Curragh - August 11 2023
Curragh 14:25
8(6)
Ben Coen

Shartash

J: Ben Coen
T: J P Murtagh
N/A
Age: 3
Weight: 9-3
OR: 109
Days: 21

Johnny Murtagh-trained Shartash comes into this race after finishing fourth behind Commanche Falls at Newbury on his previous start.

However, he finished just three-quarters of a length behind his reappearing rival and carries less weight this weekend. The three-year-old could still be improving, and he could be a solid contender for jockey Ben Coen.

Curragh - August 11 2023
Curragh 14:25
10(4)
Gavin Ryan

Wodao

J: Gavin Ryan
T: Donnacha Aidan O'Brien
N/A
Age: 3
Weight: 9-3
OR: 105
Days: 41

Donnacha O’Brien and Gavin Ryan join forces with Wodao this weekend. The three-year-old was comprehensively beaten by Commanche Falls on his previous start, finishing eight and a half lengths behind his rival.

However, he could be an interesting contender on soft or heavy ground after finishing second behind both Marshman and Tenebrism in stakes company earlier this year.

Curragh - August 11 2023
Curragh 14:25
9(9)
Colin Keane

Thunderbear

J: Colin Keane
T: Jack W Davison
N/A
Age: 3
Weight: 9-3
OR: 106
Days: 49

Colin Keane takes the ride on Jack Davison-trained Thunderbear this weekend. The three-year-old was last seen finishing eighth in the G3 Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot, which came after landing fourth in the G3 Lacken Stakes on his first start after being gelded.

He’s a likely outsider this weekend after failing to finish in the first three in four previous starts in stakes company.

Curragh - August 11 2023
Curragh 14:25
6(2)
Luke McAteer

Tango Flare

J: Luke McAteer
T: Patrick T Foley
N/A
Age: 4
Weight: 9-7
OR: 102
Days: 41

Tango Flare has form to find on Commanche Falls this weekend after finishing fourth of ten in the Jebel Racecourse & Stables Dash Stakes in July.

However, he was impressive at Fairyhouse on his start prior to that appearance, as he beat Queen Maedbh by half a length over six furlongs. Luke McAteer takes the ride on the Patrick Foley runner.

Curragh - August 11 2023
Curragh 14:25
11(1)
Chris Hayes

Coralillo

J: Chris Hayes
T: Eddie & Patrick Harty
N/A
Age: 3
Weight: 9-0
OR: 97
Days: 41

Coralillo carries bottom weight this weekend for trainer Eddie & Patrick Harty. Chris Hayes takes the ride on the three-year-old filly, who was last seen finishing 21 lengths behind Commanche Falls at the Curragh.

She is winless in five starts since winning on debut, and this looks an incredibly tall order in high-quality company on Saturday.