Nap of the Day: Trust in O’Brien’s class-dropping Churchill colt

On a superb Saturday afternoon of racing we go to the Curragh, which stages the Irish 2000 Guineas, for the Nap of the Day.

The selection doesn't go in the Classic contest, but on the undercard instead.

Joseph O'Brien's TRUSTYOURINSTINCT looks likely to benefit from a drop in class at the Curragh on Saturday.

Since returning to the flat after a short spell over hurdles in the first half of last year, the JP McManus-owned five-year-old has been operating at a high level.

The Churchill colt was narrowly touched off by subsequent Betfred St Leger hero Jan Brueghel in a Group 3 over 1m2f at the Curragh in June, before giving that one's stablemate Continuous, Leger winner the year before, plenty to think about over course and distance a couple of months later.

The selection's Group 3 triumph at Leopardstown immediately after was thoroughly deserved, and then he almost claimed Group 2 honours in the Premio Roma Italian Champion at Capannelle on his final start of the campaign.

Such is the O'Brien way of globetrotting, Trustyourinstinct made his reappearance this year in Riyadh, for the Neom Turf Cup. He could only manage eighth of 10 in the Middle East, but that's easily forgiven. He likely wasn't fully tuned up for it, and not all horses act in such a different environment.

A month later, he finished third in a decent Listed heat at Naas, won by the 106-rated Sunchart with Enfranchise, who has since finished second to superstar stayer Kyprios, in second.

It's his latest effort that stands out to me, though. In the G2 Mooresbridge Stakes, over 1m2f, he was a staying-on third, beaten just under three lengths by the 121-rated Los Angeles and White Birch (122).

That rates the best form on offer in this field of nine as far as I'm cocnerned, and I believe Trustyourinstinct has more to offer on just his second try at this trip. He certainly shaped like that would be the case last time out.

He's my idea of the best bet around this Saturday.

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