THREE VALLEYS TO DENY O´BRIEN IN PHOENIX

Three Valleys can end Aidan O´Brien´s domination of the Independent Waterford Wedgewood Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh tomorrow.

The master of Ballydoyle has saddled the last five winners of this six furlongs Group 1 test including the likes of Johannesburg and this year´s leading first season sire Fasliyev, and his four strong team this time is headed by the Anglesey Stakes victor One Cool Cat.

The son of Storm Cat has progressed well with each of his three outings, scoring at York in good style before that Group 3 suceess here last time. He is held in high regard by connections, and it is anybody´s guess just how much Michael Kinane had in hand.

Old Deuteronomy and Devil Moon, both placed at the recent Goodwood Festival, back up the O´Brien team but they may all be outclassed by Three Valleys.

Roger Charlton´s charge is clear favourite for next year´s 2,000 Guineas after a scintillating effort in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot, stretching clear from the furlong pole to score by eight lengths. That form has been franked since with third placed Privy Seal landing a Listed race at Leopardstown.

The other highlight on this eight race card is the belated reappearance of High Chaparral in the Group 2 Royal Whip Stakes. The dual Derby winner has been sidelined this season with a bruised shoulder, and will not have things all his own way conceding 7lb´s to Royal Ascot winner In Time´s Eye. Hopefully O´Brien´s charge can come through this test, and compete in the some of the top end-of-season events.

Miss Emma impressed when landing the Greenlands Stakes back in May, and now tackles the same course and distance in the Phoenix Sprint Stakes. Michael Halford´s filly was subsequently third to Abunawwas at Leopardstown but can reverse those placings as that seven furlongs trip blunted her speed.

Alan Magee