Point Lonsdale Out to Extend Perfect Record in National

It was back in early April that Point Lonsdale 's potential was first highlighted by Aidan O'Brien in the Racing Post's stable tour series and the long-range 2,000 Guineas and Derby favorite hasn't put a foot wrong since.

"He's doing everything right," O'Brien said at the time, adding: "He's a brother to Broome  but is going to be earlier than him."

That prediction has proved on the money as the unbeaten listed, group 3, and group 2 winner now chases a first win at the highest level Sept. 12 in the Goffs Vincent O'Brien National Stakes (G1) at the Curragh.

The seven-furlong test won't be a walk in the park for the odds-on favorite, taking on the second favorite for next year's Two Thousand Guineas (G1) in Bet365 Superlative Stakes (G2) scorer Native Trail , but he's the clear standout, coming in on the heels of his Aug. 21 Galileo Irish E.B.F. Futurity Stakes (G2) score over this course.

"Everything has gone well since his last run in the Futurity. He's very straightforward and always has been at home," O'Brien said.

The form of his Chesham Stakes win over Reach For The Moon  has obviously been well-advertised all summer too.

One word that consistently pops up when connections describe Point Lonsdale is 'straightforward,' and while he's clearly versatile in terms of tactics, this race could set up nicely for him to dominate from the front.

Charlie Appleby seeks a third win in the race in four years with Native Trail, rated seven pounds inferior to Point Lonsdale but clearly open to improvement as an exciting and unexposed colt.

The experience he gained when last seen nine weeks ago in the Superlative Stakes puts him at an advantage over Duke De Sessa, though there have been few more impressive maiden winners this season than the twice-raced Dermot Weld-trained juvenile.

"He's done well physically since winning the Superlative and it was always the plan to come straight here," Appleby said. "He had a racecourse gallop on the July course a couple of weeks ago, which brought him forward, and we've been pleased with his preparation. It looks a competitive field but we're very happy with where we are."

Of Duke De Sessa, Weld remarked: "He's a lovely colt who won his maiden nicely last time, but in Point Lonsdale he's taking on the best 2-year-old in Europe, so we know how tough it's going to be for him. We do like him, though."

Great Max  and Ultramarine have plenty of experience to call on but need to improve, while Anatoli, a Dundalk maiden winner on debut who has also won two barrier trials, takes a huge step up in class and could outrun his huge price.

Palmer Keen to Test Ebro River Further

Gutsy Keeneland Phoenix Stakes (G1) scorer Ebro River  brings a bit of "X factor" to proceedings as the only group 1 winner in the line-up, stepping up to seven furlongs for the first time.

"He's in great nick and had almost gone a little lazy lately, so we were contemplating sending him for a gallop this weekend at Chelmsford," said trainer Hugo Palmer. "Then we decided when there was going to be a relatively small field we'd take our chance for a share of €300,000 rather than stay at home."

He added: "I always thought he'd be a sprinter but we've got nothing to lose trying him over seven furlongs with a view to options later in the season.

"If he were taking on the same field as in the Phoenix Stakes over this trip, I'd be happy to think that he'd stay, but he's taking on stronger stayers here so we'll see what happens."