The Group 1 Darley Prix Morny has attracted a small but select field of British and Irish runners on Sunday afternoon with five talented juveniles bidding to land Deauville’s six-furlong prize. Our expert editor has assessed each of the quintet and provided a runner-by-runner guide below, alongside an exclusive customer offer from Sky Bet, who are offering up to £30 In Free Bets when you sign up and place ANY bet.
Darley Prix Morny – Deauville (6f, 13:33 Sunday 21st August)
Persian Force (Richard Hannon, James Doyle)
Looked like a juvenile to keep firmly on side when bolting up in the Brocklesby at Doncaster in March and confirmed that with a smart effort in second behind Bradsell in the Group 2 Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot. Made no mistake when justifying prohibitive odds in the July Stakes at Newmarket’s July meeting on his penultimate start before bumping into Aidan O’Brien’s impressive Phoenix Stakes winner Little Big Bear at the Curragh fifteen days ago. Certainly capable of making his mark at Group 1 level and is arguably the one they all have to beat.
The Ridler (Richard Fahey, Christophe Soumillon)
Only managed to finish fifth on his debut over five furlongs at Ripon in April but returned to the North Yorkshire track just thirteen days later to record a comfortable success over course and distance. Not beaten far in third in Beverley’s Two Year Old Trophy on his penultimate outing but caused a major surprise when staying on well from off the pace to land the Group 2 Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot at 50/1 on his following start. Step up to six furlongs looks sure to suit based on that latest evidence and trainer Richard Fahey landed last year’s renewal with his highly-talented sprinter Perfect Power.
The Antarctic (Aidan O’Brien, Ioritz Mendizabal)
Won both of his opening two starts for top connections but failed to justify strong market support when finishing just under five lengths behind The Ridler in the Group 2 Coventry Stakes at the Royal meeting in June. Stepped up to six furlongs for the first time on his penultimate start when chasing home stablemate Blackbeard in the Group 2 Prix Robert Papin at Chantilly in July. Didn’t take long for him to resume winning ways when defeating Manhattan Jungle by a length in the Group 3 Prix de Cabourg over this course and distance earlier this month and this full brother to Battaash is entitled to respect despite Ryan Moore jumping ship to ride Blackbeard.
Blackbeard (Aidan O’Brien, Ryan Moore)
Built on his taking debut win at Dundalk when landing Listed and Group 3 events on his following two starts at the Curragh in May. Was sent off the well-supported favourite for The Group 2 Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot in June but didn’t appear to have any excuses when finishing 3¾ lengths behind impressive winner Bradsell. Narrowly denied in the Group 2 Railway Stakes two starts back but bounced back to winning ways in some style last time out, bounding clear inside the closing stages to defeat stablemate The Antarctic in the Group 2 Prix Robert Papin last month. Connections last won this in 2001 with Johannesburg but this No Nay Never colt was impressive when last seen and is the pick of Jockey Ryan Moore.
Manhattan Jungle (Amy Murphy, Tony Piccone)
Racked up a quickfire hat-trick for connections at the start of the season when landing events at Chantilly, Lyon-Parilly and Vichy. Returned to British Soil at Royal Ascot when lining up in the Group 2 Queen Mary Stakes but never threatened to land a significant blow under Mickael Barzalona, finishing eight lengths behind Karl Burke’s eventual winner Dramatised. Returned to form back over in France when finishing a length behind The Antarctic in the Group 3 Prix de Cabourg earlier this month but ideally wants some rain to fall between now and post time considering all of her career victories so far have come on either a soft or heavy surface.
Prix Morny Verdict
Despite the lack of numbers, this Group 1 sprint looks fiercely competitive. The Ridler caused notable interference when springing a surprise in the Group 2 Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot back in June and while last year’s winning team are respected, the Brazen Beau colt is yet to tackle six furlongs and may just find one or two too good on this occasion. Blackbeard defeated stablemate The Antarctic last time out and is the pick of Aidan O’Brien’s pair but the vote here goes to Richard Hannon’s PERSIAN FORCE. The son of Mehmas gained his revenge on Archie Watson’s Bradsell in the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh when last seen but simply had no answer for the devastating turn of foot shown by Little Big Bear, who produced one of the top juvenile performances seen anywhere this season. The talented 2yo is destined to make his mark at the highest level based on his recent performances on the track and can hopefully provide Richard Hannon with his first victory in this Group 1 contest.
- PERSIAN FORCE
- Blackbeard
- The Ridler
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