Racing Post

Trends analysis

JAMES HILL

Focus on Group 1 horses, with all but two of the winners this century having been placed in top company previously

Ironically one of the odd ones out was last year’s winner Without Parole, although that was a below-par renewal.

Your horse also needs to be in form if recent history is anything to go by, with seven winners since 2008 having won on their previous start.

Interestingly, five of those victories were in the Irish 2,000 Guineas and the Curragh Classic is as good a pointer as any for this.

Aidan O’brien has not won this race for four years, but his overall record is excellent, with seven victories since Giant’s Causeway in 2000.

O’brien’s had contenders finish in the first two for eight of the last 12 runnings.

Verdict

Irish 2,000 Guineas winners have an excellent record in this, and Phoenix Of Spain can add to that tally. Unlike Too Darn Hot and Magna Grecia, the selection is coming into this at the top of his game, although Magna Grecia could be the main threat if repeating his 2,000 Guineas effort.

TUESDAY 4.20 ST JAMES’S PALACE STAKES

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2019-06-06T07:00:00.0000000Z

2019-06-06T07:00:00.0000000Z

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