Big-race analysis and trainer quotes for an intriguing Irish St Leger

4.40 Curragh
Comer Group International Irish St. Leger | 1m6f | Group 1 | 3yo+ | ITV3/RTE/RTV

This is not a big field, but what it lacks in quantity it makes up for in quality.

The presence of last year's winner, last year's Irish Derby winner and this year's Ebor winner makes it a fascinating affair, and that's without the rapidly improving Curragh Cup winner Twilight Payment or the unexposed Micro Manage, who could be anything.

Half of the eight runners are rated 114 or higher, with the highest-rated Sovereign, who bids to give Aidan O'Brien his fourth victory in six years. He was a runaway winner of last year's Irish Derby and you would imagine this has been the plan all season.

The trip ought to be ideal and he was not disgraced in the King George when chasing home the mighty Enable. It will be interesting to see whether Ryan Moore lets him roll in front, just as Padraig Beggy did in last year's Irish Derby.

Fujaira Prince is six, but the best may still be to come. He has only visited a racecourse eight times, winning five of those and being placed in the other three. He justified favouritism in the Ebor with a degree of authority and the manner in which he won a handicap at Royal Ascot suggested he was a Group 1 winner in waiting. This is his big chance.

Search For A Song was brilliant in this race last year, but she has yet to show the same sort of form this season. Perhaps running over shorter trips has not suited and this is the first time she has tried the mile ansd three-quarterts since the race 12 months ago.

Twilight Payment has made giant strides since joining Joseph O'Brien and can never be underestimated, but perhaps class will prevail and Sovereign will show his true colours. That Irish Derby demolition job remains fresh in the memory.

What they say

Jessica Harrington, trainer of Barbados
It’s an open race so hopefully he can run well. If he was to be placed we’d be delighted.

Roger Varian, trainer of Fujaira Prince
He usually does not take his races very well but he's been flying at home and I think his win in the Ebor has brought him on. It's a big step from a handicap to a Group 1 but the trip and track should suit him and we're hopeful he can run a nice race

Willie Mullins, trainer of Micro Manage
He goes there in good form. It's a tough task but it would be lovely to get a top-three finish with him. His comeback was good and I think he's improved a good bit from that.

Aidan O'Brien, trainer of Sovereign and Passion
Sovereign had a great run in the King George and is back up in trip. He ran over this trip before the King George, but he was only ready to start back then, and he got a little bit tired. We're very happy with him. The trip will suit Passion and we think running in a better quality race like this will suit her as well. She's a sister to Capri and we think this will bring out the best in her.

Joseph O'Brien, trainer of Twilight Payment
He's been very progressive all year and won very well the last twice. We're hoping for a big run in what will be his biggest test to date. He will need a career-best to win.

Dermot Weld, trainer of Search For A Song
She's in great form, is very well and she's ready to run for her life. Her run in the Tattersalls Gold Cup was excellent – she showed a lot of pace and a lot of speed to be third that day. I'm very happy with her.

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