Who will emerge victorious in intriguing Railway top-two rematch?

Keeneland Phoenix Stakes (Group 1) | 6f | 2yo | ITV4/RTV

Many people viewed the Railway Stakes as the strongest juvenile race of the season but opinions were split about who emerged from the race as the best two-year-old.

There should be no questions left unanswered on that front on Sunday given Go Bears Go and Castle Star go head-to-head once again.

Go Bears Go battled best to beat Castle Star in the Railway with some prepared to forgive the latter given the trouble he met in running.

Fans of the winner could just as easily point to the fact that Go Bears Go pulled out a bit more when Castle Star got out in the clear and was good value for the victory.

The rematch is a fascinating proposition, especially given Go Bears Go and Castle Star are drawn in stalls one and two respectively, but it is not the only talking point in the race.

Aidan O'Brien has won the race 16 times and Prettiest, the sole filly in the line-up, should not be underestimated after she was found to be in season when disappointing at Leopardstown.

If the rain persists, Ebro River would come into the equation, while Dr Zempf, who could manage only fourth in the Railway, is also respected in what is an up-to-scratch renewal of this Group 1.

Ryan up for Railway rematch

Rossa Ryan has had only a fleeting experience of riding at the Curragh but one of the rising stars of the British weighing room believes he has a serious chance of a first Group 1 win with Go Bears Go.

Ryan partnered the juvenile to victory in June's Railway Stakes and returns with the son of Kodi Bear as both he and trainer Dave Loughnane target a breakthrough win at the top level.

Rossa Ryan: 'he's got a serious chance'Credit: Pool

Ryan, who has already had his most successful year in Britain, is relishing a rematch with Castle Star over the same course and distance as the Railway.

"He's got a serious chance," he said. "The Castle Star camp thought they should have beaten us in the Railway and it looks like the race everybody is looking forward to because we're drawn in two and he's in one, so he'll be on our tail tracking us and the best horse is going to win.

"We'd love good ground. We're not sure how he goes on good to firm just yet and he handled soft ground fine at Ascot.

"We went over last time as just an English challenger and they all came there to beat us but couldn't. Going into the Group 1 on the favourite, I couldn't ask for a better horse. He's the most uncomplicated horse. I can drop him in or make the running."

What they say

Fozzy Stack, trainer of Castle Star
He goes there in good order. He has form with an ease in the ground previously, so hopefully he'll be fine when it could hinder a few others.

Hugo Palmer, trainer of Ebro River
We're very happy with him and as far as I can see, the best of the Irish two-year-old form is centred around the Railway Stakes, won by Go Bears Go. Perfect Power beat Go Bears Go by a head in the Norfolk Stakes and Ebro River beat Perfect Power by a neck last time at Goodwood in the Richmond Stakes, albeit we were in receipt of 3lb. That doesn't seem to leave us with very much to find and we were happy to take our chance after seeing the weather forecast too. He's shown a liking for soft ground, although he has run well on better ground in his recent starts.

Aidan O'Brien, trainer of The Entertainer and Prettiest
The vet seemed to think that Prettiest was showing signs of being in season after her last run at Leopardstown. Hopefully, all will be good with her now. She's in good form and had a nice run at Royal Ascot in the Albany, having won on her first start at Navan over five and a half furlongs. We think The Entertainer is better than his runs lately, so hopefully he can run well.

Michael O'Callaghan, trainer of Twilight Jet
He had a lot to do and had some hard luck in running in the Railway Stakes, but he came home well and we took a lot from that. We think he's improved since then, having previously been beaten only two and a half lengths over an inadequate trip in the Norfolk Stakes. We think he's the real deal and hopefully he'll run a big race. I don't think he wants extremes of ground.

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