National Stakes Tips (Sunday 17th Sep)

Holy Roman Emperor, a top-priced 8/1 clear favourite for next year's 2,000 Guineas, will be bidding to provide trainer Aidan O'Brien with his sixth win in the last decade in the Laing O'Rourke National Stakes at The Curragh on Sunday. The son of Danehill, who is the 8/11 market leader for this Group contest run over seven furlongs, proved that he was a colt of the highest order when demonstrating an electrifying turn of foot to easily land the Phoenix Stakes over six furlongs last time out. This one furlong farther trip is unlikely to phase Holy Roman Emperor, who settles and travels extremely kindly during his races, and he's likely to prove extremely hard to beat. His chief rival will be the unbeaten Jim Bolger-trained Teofilo. The Galileo colt landed the Group 2 Futurity Stakes when running on well under pressure to beat Holy Roman Emperor's stablemate Eagle Mountain, the pair finishing nicely clear of the rest. Although not as visually impressive as Holy Roman Emperor, Teofilo has demonstrated a willing attitude in winning his three races to date and he will ensure that the favourite doesn't have things all his own way. Trinity College, 8/1 with Paddy Power and another O'Brien-trained juvenile, was perhaps a shade disappointing when beaten nearly five lengths when fourth to Teofilo in the Futurity, but it was just his second career start and he is open to considerable improvement. A ready winner of a seven-furlong Cork maiden on his debut, the son of Giant's Causeway became outpaced two furlongs out before staying on again close home in the Futurity, suggesting that a step up to a mile would suit. As such, the Racing Post Trophy at Newbury on October 21 could be the race for him. The English flag is likely to be flown by Mick Channon's filly Silca Chiave. A 14/1 chance with Paddy Power, the half-sister to Silca's Sister ran a cracking race in the fillies' equivalent of this race, the Moyglare Stud Stakes, over course and distance when failing by a short head to repel Miss Beatrix. That effort was all the more meritorious considering that, as a daughter of Pivotal, the good to firm going was probably a shade on the quick side for her. With the going likely to be slightly easier on Sunday, she is likely to give it a good go, despite facing a stiff task taking on some classy colts. Silca Chiave is generally a 25/1 chance for next year's 1,000 Guineas.