Blackbeard out of Phoenix Stakes as Bradsell tightens grip at top of market

The field for the Group 1 Keeneland Phoenix Stakes (4.15) at the Curragh has been reduced to five following the withdrawal of Blackbeard due to an allergy as Bradsell continues to top the betting for Saturday's big race.

He was rated the best horse in the race on official figures but the four-time winner was a 10-1 chance in the betting against more unexposed rivals like Bradsell and Little Big Bear. Blackbeard was set to be ridden by Seamie Heffernan.

In his absence, Little Big Bear is now the only runner for trainer Aidan O'Brien, who is seeking a 17th winner in the race. He is a fairly strong 7-4 second favourite.

Bradsell is now as short as 11-10 for the first Group 1 for two-year-olds in Britain and Ireland. Representing Archie Watson and Hollie Doyle, he was last seen in action landing the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Bradsell: favourite for the Phoenix StakesCredit: Edward Whitaker

The other British-trained runner Persian Force is a little weak in the betting, drifting to 9-2 (from 4-1).

Castle Star is another notable non-runner in the day's other Group contest, the Rathasker Stud Phoenix Sprint Stakes (3.15). The three-year-old boasted top-class form last season, finishing the season with a close second in the Middle Park.

This was meant to be only his second start of the season but he was ruled out due to a temperature.

The going at the Curragh is good and it should stay dry throughout racing according to clerk of the course Brendan Sheridan.

He said: "The ground, following a dry day yesterday with selective watering, is now good. The forecast for today is a dry, warm day and it's beautiful here at the moment.

"The stalls are in the centre for all sprints and we're racing on the stands side. We're in a very good place and we're all good to go."

Updated at 12.30am

Could it be Australia day?

It could be a big day for Australian rider Kerrin McEvoy as two of his rides have been subject to major market moves on Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup day.

Adjourn is the day's big gamble, having been cut to 7-4 (from 7-2) for the 1m2f classified stakes (1.00). The David Simcock-trained three-year-old was a winner last time out and is only up 6lb.

Bowman is another shortening on the card in the 7f classified stakes (1.35), having been cut to 9-1 (from 16-1). He was a winner back on Derby day. His other mounts include Rock Eagle (2.45), Greatgadian (3.55) and Twelfth Knight (5.05).

There has also been support for a a few rides for popular jockeys Frankie Dettori and Hayley Turner on Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup day.

Dettori's mount Judicial has been cut to 7-1 (from 9-1) with Coral to land the Dash (2.10), while Isla Kai is a steady second favourite in the Mile (3.55) and Sheer Rocks has been clipped in a point to 7-1 in the Classic. He also partners Civil Law (1.00) and State Of Bliss (3.20).

There is also interest in the Classic is for Turner's mount Approachability, who is now 8-1 (from 10-1). Continued support has also arrived for Manaccan, who was as big as 6-1 yesterday but is a general 7-2 chance in the Dash.

It is set to be a warm and sunny day at Ascot, where the ground is good, good to firm in places.

Updated at 12.30am

Non runners

Ascot
1.35: Tadreeb
4.30: Charles St

Curragh
1.30: Golden Temple, Navalny
2.05: Freedom Falls, Madly Truly
3.15: Moss Tucker, Power Under Me, Castle Star
4.15: Blackbeard
4.55: Prince Of Abington

Updated at 12.30am

Saturday previews

4.15 Curragh: 'His form has worked out exceptionally' – Bradsell heads stellar Phoenix line-up

Shergar Cup: 'He's nicely handicapped' – key quotes for the final six races

3.00 Haydock: What's not to like about Grocer Jack? Nothing, but he won't find this as easy

3.15 Curragh: 'I couldn't be happier with him' – Go Bears Go leads British raid on Group 3 sprint

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