Advertise enhances reputation in the Phoenix

Advertise made it three wins from four starts, as he justified 11/10 favouritism in the feature at the Curragh this afternoon, the Group 1 Keeneland Phoenix Stakes.

Successful on debut at Newbury in May, the Martyn Meade trained bay then went down by just a length in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot.

He got back to winning ways in the July Stakes at Newmarket last month, and was expected to follow-up today with Frankie Dettori again in the saddle for Phoenix Thoroughbred Limited.

Settled in second, the son of Showcasing was ridden over a furlong out and soon led, keeping on best inside the final furlong to hold off So Perfect by half a length.

Seamie Heffernan was aboard the well-backed runner-up (25s in early shows and from 8s to 7s on-course) for Aidan O'Brien.

The Ryan Moore ridden Sergei Prokofiev (7/4) ran no sort of race, and finished a disappointing last.

"I've been quite bullish about this horse and luckily it's paid off otherwise I might have had to eat my words a bit," said Meade.

"I'm very pleased with him, it's great, and maybe we'll step him up to seven furlongs now.

"We'll give him a bit of a break and then go for the Dewhurst or something like that I suppose. It seems logical and he'll get further.

"The big question is if he'll get a mile but he'll definitely get seven.

"It was a great result. Obviously I was coming here with a lot of trepidation but you can tell very good horses at home, going to perform for you, got the form and did the job.

"If you've got a good horse it makes a difference, you don't have to struggle too much then.

"It was a great ride by Frankie and it's great to have him on board. As he said to me after he won the July Stakes 'send him anywhere you like' and that proved to be right.

"I'm thrilled to bits with him. Every run he's been held up and produced with a turn of foot but he was able to dictate today and it shows that he knows his job now."

Dettori added: "I was surprised that there wasn't enough pace. I had to ride him more forward than I did at Newmarket.

"I knew he stays well so I kicked pretty early. I got a little bit of a fright when the others were challenging me but he still had plenty left. He probably needs to step up to seven.

"He has got a great temperament and he really wants to do it for you. I can't say any bad words about him. Long term I think the Dewhurst will be the next step."

STEWARDS REPORT

The Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board Veterinary Officer examined Sergei Prokofiev (CAN), trained by A.P.O'Brien, at the request of the Stewards and reported the animal to be post race normal.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson