Phoenix Stakes Odds - Whistlejacket Favourite to Follow Family's Footsteps

Aidan O’Brien’s Whistlejacket is an odds-on favourite to emulate his brother Little Big Bear with victory in Saturday’s Group 1 Phoenix Stakes. The race is the first top level juvenile contest run in the UK flat season and welcomes colts and fillies over 6f.

Whistlejacket redeemed his 10/11 reverse in the 5f Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot by comfortably stepping up to win the Group 2 July Stakes over this trip. Living up to the horseshoes of Little Big Bear, who won this by seven yawning lengths in 2022, will be tough, but he is improving steadily to take high rank among O’Brien’s juveniles. 8/11 is the price available.

His sternest opposition looks set to come from another set of winning connections in this race. Ger Lyons and Juddmonte won this with the excellent Siskin in 2019, and Babouche arrives here unbeaten in her two starts so far. She got the better of another potential O’Brien runner, Camille Pissarro, in the Group 3 Anglesey Stakes, backing up her very favourable debut. SHe is at 5/1, while Camille Pissarro is 8/1 to overturn that form and prove superior to his stablemate.

Ballydoyle can also count on Monday’s Naas winner Heavens Gate (12/1), who took home close to E150,000 in the Ballyhane Stakes that day and is a consistent front runner, Treasure Isle (25/1), fourth to babouche last time out, and the maiden Alfred Tennyson (50/1).

Elsewhere in the field, Adrian Murray and Amo Racing have two darts to fire. They won this with Bucanero Fuerte a year ago, with Arizona Blaze their clear pick this time around, He is already a Group 3 winner at this trip and has been third in a pair of Group 2s the last twice. Improvement is needed at 10/1, as it is in greater quantity by Queens Fury, a maiden after six starts to date and available at 40/1.

Joseph O’’Brien joins his dad with a runner in the race. Rudi’s Apple can be backed at 12/1 after impressing on his handicap debut over course and distance. He had previously contested three strong races without victory, finishing ahead of one of the two British raiders, Shadow Army at Royal Ascot. Richard Fahey’s charge is the same price after bouncing back well to be second in Group 2 company in France, however.

Making up the field is the second British-trained entrant in Francisco’s Piece. Nowhere the last twice in good races, he had previously secured Listed honours at Chantilly, but is 33/1 now on the comeback trail.

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