Another Classic contest rolled around and we had another red-hot, Aidan O’Brien-trained favourite – this time in the shape of the unbeaten City Of Troy. Imperious during his juvenile campaign, the son of US Triple Crown Winner Justify was already touted as a potential Triple Crown horse – much like Auguste Rodin in 2023. Would he fare better than his stablemate, who flopped in the previous edition?
Elsewhere in the line-up, Richard Hannon’s Prix Jean Luc Lagardere winner Rosallion brought top-notch two-year-old form to the table; stablemate Haatem had scorched to victory in the Craven Stakes, and Godolphin’s Notable Speech skipped his juvenile season but looked the part in three smooth successes on the all-weather at Kempton. Other notables included Clive Cox’s Ghostwriter, who won the Royal Lodge Stakes over course and distance, and Charles Hills Champagne Stakes winner, Iberian.
Result
- 1st – Notable Speech 16/1, Jockey: William Buick, Trainer: Charlie Appleby
- 2nd – Rosallion 15/2, Jockey: Sean Levey, Trainer: Richard Hannon
- 3rd – Haatem 16/1, Jockey: James Doyle, Trainer: Richard Hannon
Prize Money Breakdown
- 1st – £283,550
- 2nd – £107,500
- 3rd – £53,800
- 4th – £26,800
- 5th – £13,450
- 6th – £6,750
Tote and Forecast Payouts
- Tote Win – £17
- Tote Places – 1st – £2.30, 2nd – £1.70, 3rd – £3.80
- Exacta – £74.10
- Computer Straight Forecast (CSF) – £125
- Trifecta – £957.70
- Tricast – £1,950.32
Recap
City Of Troy broke well and looked set to make the running in customary style. However, he couldn’t grab the lead, with Inisherin moving up to his outside to set the fractions. Alynaabi and Haatem were amongst the other prominent racers in the opening exchanges. Iberian struggled to find his rhythm stuck on the wide outside, whilst Notable Speech appeared to be deliberately kept behind runners by William Buick.
Little change at the head of affairs as they hit halfway. Inisherin continued to lead, closely pursued by City Of Troy as the field began to fan out across the track. Alynaabi moved well when pushed into contention by Jim Crowley as the pace quickened. And then came the first alarm bells for favourite backers as, despite the urgings of Ryan Moore, the market leader failed to find a second gear and began to tread water as others quickened.
With the favourite going nowhere quickly, Rosallion swooped from out of the pack to hit the front two furlongs from home and appeared the most likely winner. However, the eye was soon drawn to Notable Speech, who had switched into daylight on the far side. Picking up best of all, the son of Dubawi grabbed the lead a furlong from home and powered on for victory by one and a half lengths. It was a rock-solid effort from Rosallion in second, with fellow Hannon inmate Haatem sticking on resolutely for third.
Major questions to answer for City Of Troy, who joined Air Force Blue and Auguste Rodin as beaten Aidan O’Brien-trained odds-on favourites in the opening classic of the season. It was a second 2,000 Guineas success for Charlie Appleby and a first for William Buick.
Runners
- 1. Alyanaabi – SP: 11/1, Trainer: Owen Burrows, Jockey: Jim Crowley
- 2. City Of Troy – SP: 4/6F, Trainer: Aidan O’Brien, Jockey: Ryan Moore
- 3. Ghostwriter – SP: 14/1, Trainer: Clive Cox, Jockey: Richard Kingscote
- 4. Haatem – SP: 16/1, Trainer: Richard Hannon HanhH, Jockey: James Doyle
- 5. Iberian – SP: 33/1, Trainer: Charles Hills, Jockey: Tom Marquand
- 6. Inisherin – SP: 40/1, Trainer: Kevin Ryan, Jockey: Tom Eaves
- 7. Night Raider – SP: 25/1, Trainer: Karl Burke, Jockey: Daniel Tudhope
- 8. Notable Speech – SP: 16/1, Trainer: Charlie Appleby, Jockey: William Buick
- 9. Rosallion – SP: 15/2, Trainer: Richard Hannon, Jockey: Sean Levey
- 10. Task Force – SP: 16/1, Trainer: Ralph Beckett, Jockey: Rossa Ryan
- 11. Ten Bob Tony – SP: 40/1, Trainer: Ed Walker, Jockey: Saffie Osborne
Non-Runners
All Ran