Flying Five Stakes Tips & Betting Preview

A field of twelve go to post for the 2017 renewal of the Flying Five Stakes at the Curragh on Sunday. See our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: Caravaggio is a very warm order and that’s no surprise based on his efforts earlier this season, but he comes with risks attached after two poor efforts the last twice. Preference is for CASPIAN PRINCE, who won over course and distance in July to win the Sapphire Stakes at the expense of subsequent Nunthorpe Stakes winner Marsha. He’s been given a break since that career best effort and a repeat of that performance under Declan McDonogh should be enough to take victory here for Tony Coyle.

1 ARDHOOMEY – Won this race last year for Ger Lyons but he’s been much below form this season, defeated by Caspian Prince in the Sapphire Stakes over course and distance in July. He was firmly put in his place that day and he failed to catch the again when only third in a weak Listed race at Tipperary subsequently. Confidence is dwindling at present and he’s impossible to recommend.

2 CASPIAN PRINCE – Eight year old for Tony Coyle who produced the performance of his life to win the Sapphire Stakes on his latest start ahead of subsequent Nunthorpe winner Marsha. He battled on gamely that day to regain the lead in the final stride, which was no surprise given his great weight carrying performances beforehand in the top sprint handicaps back in England. He has been rested since that latest run and a repeat of that performance will see him going very close under the in form Declan McDonogh, who couldn’t be riding better at present.

3 COTAI GLORY – Has become inconsistent for Charlie Hills and frustrating to follow, well beaten in the Queensferry Stakes at Chester before bouncing back to finish third in the Nunthorpe behind Marsha. He was beaten four lengths that day and that gives him work to do with Caspian Prince, with that rival far more straight forward than him. He has conditions to suit though and reproduction of that latest run gives him each way claims.

4 DUKE OF FIRENZE – Very useful sprint handicapper for David Griffiths who looks very much out of his depth at this level, last seen floundering at Glorious Goodwood in the Stewards Cup. He was off an enormous weight that day but he still faces a tough task here pitched into a level he’s never previously won at. Unlikely to be good enough to reach the placings here.

5 SPIRIT QUARTZ – Nine time winner for Barry Murphy but never at this level, with his latest well beaten fifth behind Caspian Prince in the Sapphire Stakes once again indicating he’s quite simply not good enough at this level. His previous fourth in a Premier Handicap over course and distance gives him an outside place chance, but he’ll need a few of these to underperform at the very least.

6 CARAVAGGIO – Won his first six races in impressive fashion, including a victory in the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot. He has however completely lost his way the last twice for Aidan O’Brien, finishing an underwhelming fourth in the July Cup before a well beaten sixth in the Prix Maurice de Gheest in August. He needs to bounce back from that and there is no doubt that this is an easier task, but he does remain risky and a return to five furlongs isn’t sure to suit him.

7 HIT THE BID – Course and distance winner who finished second over course and distance on his penultimate start, narrowly denied in a Premier Handicap ahead of Spirit Quartz. That form however still leaves him with a lot to find and his latest fourth behind Caspian Prince indicates he’s simply not good enough to win this under Leigh Roche.

8 SON OF REST – Won a Premier Handicap over course and distance back in June in very impressive style off of top weight, but he failed to back that up when only fifth in a weak looking Listed race at Tipperary when last seen, behind Ardhoomey who was third. He remains unexposed after only six runs and couldn’t be ruled out, but he does have something to prove now and needs to step up his game. Each way claims under Chris Hayes but he’d ideally like rain and lots of it.

9 TIS MARVELLOUS – Won the Group 2 Prix Robert Papin at Maisons-Laffitte on only his second start, but he’s struggled since then in the main and was well beaten in the Coral Charge at Sandown on his latest start. That was a very disappointing effort and leaves him with a huge amount to prove for Clive Cox, whose yard is in brilliant form. Many of these have far better form and he’s impossible to recommend here.

10 ALPHABET – Second string for Aidan O’Brien who makes no great appeal three dreadful efforts the last thrice, last seen at Tipperary well beaten behind Ardhoomey and Son Of Rest. She couldn’t be recommended in any capacity.

11 GORANE – Clearly appreciated the softer ground when winning a Listed race at Tipperary in August ahead of both Ardhoomey and Son Of Rest. That was a good effort but this is much tougher and she doesn’t have that sort of ground again here. She could sneak an each way place if managing to get prominent early under Danny Tudhope but she’d be a surprise winner when all is said and done.

12 PIOUS ALEXANDER – Won a maiden at Tipperary on her penultimate start before finishing sixth in the Dark Angel Stakes at Naas on her latest start. She was never nearer that day and never in the race, with this step up in trip a very curious move as she is nowhere near good enough to even reach the places.