14:30 Curragh (IRE) 25 Sep 2021
Alan Smurfit Memorial Beresford Stakes
Group 2 | Class 1 | 2YO only
Winner €60,000 - 5 ran
waited with in rear, closed towards outer straight, quickened up to lead inside final furlong, soon clear and stayed on strongly, impressive
pushed along briefly early, close up in 2nd, pushed along again over 2f out, soon challenged and every chance, no extra and one pace in 3rd inside final furlong, 2nd at finish
soon led, pushed along over 2f out, soon strongly pressed, headed inside final furlong, no extra and one pace after, dropped to 3rd at finish
pushed along briefly early, soon raced in 4th, closed up in 3rd approaching straight, pushed along over 2f out, soon challenged and every chance until no extra and one pace on outer inside final furlong
soon raced in 3rd, 4th approaching straight, soon pushed along, dropped to last over 1f out, no extra
Betting returns
| Type | Winnings |
|---|---|
| Betfair SP | €1.72 |
| CSF | €10.86 (2, 3) |
| Win | €1.70 (2) |
| Place | €1.10 (2), €2.80 (3) |
| Exacta | €7.60 (2, 3) |
| Trifecta | €27.30 (2, 3, 6) |
Expert Analysis
A remarkable 21st win in this race for Aidan O’Brien, though time will tell whether Luxembourg follows the example of the largely disappointing High Definition, winner 12 months earlier, or some of the good ones, such as St Nicholas Abbey and Saxon Warrior (Sea The Stars also won this for John Oxx in 2008). There are more reasons to be positive than negative, despite the weakness of the opposition and the futility of comparing the overall time with other 8f races on the card, which begun from a different start. It was run at a steady pace, and the winner showed a fine turn of foot (34.18s last 3f, 110.7% finishing speed), again looking a good Derby candidate for 2022, as identified in a recent ATR Sectional Spotlight).
LUXEMBOURG (109+4 here, 95 previously) had little to beat by Group 2 standards but accomplished it in most impressive style, likely to rate quite a bit more highly than suggested by the bare form of this, and a legitimate contender over the winter for the Derby, for which he was quoted at around 8/1, having been 33/1 a few weeks ago. He was steadied into last, was not asked for maximum effort until after 2f out, briefly green and given a tap with the whip but quickening to lead 200 yards out and powering clear for no more than hands and heels. The speed he showed here will stand him in good stead if he goes for the Vertem Futurity at Doncaster but he remains likely to be well suited by 10f/12f.
MANU ET CORDE (98 here, 102 previously) ran respectably, though probably a fraction below the form of his close fifth at this level at Leopardstown the time before, close up but struggling to get past the leader from some way out and managing that eventually only after the winner outpaced him and the others with about 1f to go. He will stay, and possibly be suited by, further.
TUWAIQ (98 here, 97 previously) ran well, though did get an easy time of things up front for a long way, sticking to his task but outpaced late on. He is a mix of speed and stamina on breeding but should get further.
SWAN BAY (97 here, 96 previously) seemed to run creditably while failing to deliver on market expectations, steadily improving to have a chance 2f out but soon under pressure and one paced late on. He should be suited by further.
CHICAGO SOLDIER (89 here and previously) remains a maiden and was 5th-best from some way out.
