The 7f Group 1 National Stakes may prove to be the race of Irish Champions Weekend, with City Of Troy expected to take on Bucanero Fuerte at the Curragh on Sunday.
The race has received an additional boost with trainer Aidan O'Brien leaving Henry Longfellow in the field alongside ante-post Classic favourite City Of Troy. The two colts are vying for top spot at Ballydoyle and boast unbeaten records.
City Of Troy backed up his maiden victory with an impressive six-length win in the Group 2 Superlative Stakes on the July course whilst Henry Longfellow added the Group 2 Futurity Stakes over course and distance to a comfortable debut success.
The Superlative Stakes form was given a significant boost when the second-placed Haatem took the Group 2 Vintage Stakes at Glorious Goodwood on his subsequent outing and City Of Troy is given preference of the pair. The Justify colt has appeared to be in a different league on both outings and it is difficult to envisage a poor run.
"It's possible they could both run. Both are in good form," said O'Brien.
"Obviously City Of Troy would prefer the ground to be quick whereas Henry Longfellow handles an ease but they are both in good form.
"Both of them have had two runs each. It's a good while since City Of Troy ran but he's been in good form at home so I'm looking forward to seeing how he gets on.
"Obviously Henry Longfellow only ran a couple of weeks ago but he's been well also.
"It has been a while since City Of Troy ran so he is ready for a comeback run if we're going to run him again after this but he looked a bit unusual at Newmarket, didn't he."
The two O'Brien colts will face tough opposition in the form of Bucanero Fuerte, trained by Adrian Murray. Since finishing third in the Group 2 Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot, the Wootton Bassett colt has gone from strength to strength and landed the six-furlong Group 1 Phoenix Stakes by four lengths. It will be Bucanero Fuerte's first attempt over seven furlongs.
"The team at Adrian's are delighted with him, Robson [Aguiar] rides him on a regular basis and is delighted with him. He hasn't missed a beat since the Phoenix Stakes," said Amo Racing's racing manager Tom Pennington.
"He's run four times and has the experience and is battle-hardened. He's always had a touch of class from day one, but he can be a streetfighter.
"I know it's 10-1 bar the two, but it's no match race and there are a couple of others to be wary of despite City Of Troy looking the one to beat."
Of the remainder, Jessica Harrington's Givemethebeatboys has been producing reliable placed performances in Group company but his current price of 28/1 is probably an accurate reflection of the colt's chance.
The inexperienced Islandsinthestream finished second behind Henry Longfellow in the Group 2 Futurity Stakes and should be the best place chance of the longer-priced options. The Wootton Bassett colt is entitled to improve on his third racecourse start and a late run could see him pick up minor prize money for the Joseph O'Brien team.
WIN: CITY OF TROY
PLACE: ISLANDSINTHESTREAM
