Comanche Brave Headlines Flying Five at the Curragh

Group 1 sprints in Ireland and Britain have been calling out for a homegrown star attraction in recent years. Almeraq (GB) stepped up to the plate when blowing away his rivals in the Sprint Cup Stakes (G1), and July Cup Stakes (G1) winner Comanche Brave (IRE) could follow suit in the Flying Five Stakes (G1) Sept. 13 at the Curragh. The Wootton Bassett colt looked just shy of the very top level over 7 furlongs to a mile last year, finishing second in a Guineas trial, fifth in the Irish Two Thousand Guineas (G1), and third in the Jersey Stakes (G3) and then the Solonaway Stakes (G2) on this same weekend. But he has found a new lease of life this season since dropped to sprint trips. Having been beaten 6 lengths by the top-rated horse in the world in Ka Ying Rising (NZ) in April at Sha Tin Racecourse, he returned to the Curragh and put in a sparkling performance in the Greenlands Stakes (G2) to bolt up by 2 lengths. He ran respectably when seventh in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (G1) in his next start, but stepped up a level in the July Cup last time when he defeated Venetian Sun (IRE) in decisive fashion after traveling powerfully throughout. Connections bypassed the soft ground at Haydock Park in favor of a drop back to the minimum trip here and it will be a fascinating experiment, although given how he went through his race at Newmarket, it is hard to envisage it being an issue. There is a cluster of British contenders taking on Donnacha O'Brien's speedy colt, however, and the Harry Eustace-trained Time For Sandals (IRE) leads the challenge. A Commonwealth Cup Stakes (G1) winner last year, she finished third behind the reopposing American Affair (GB) and Rumstar (GB) in the King George Stakes (G1) and endured a nightmare run in the Nunthorpe Stakes (G1) last time. She was beaten 1 3/4 lengths into fourth by Bacio, but finished on the bridle after having the door shut everywhere in her run. There are several others capable of winning this on a going day. The form figures of the likes of American Affair, Mission Central (IRE), Jakajaro (IRE), and Night Raider (IRE) are a bit volatile, but that is typical of sprinters and they all have the necessary ability to score in this type of race. Rumstar has a more solid profile than most and he ran right up to his best behind Bacio last time. He enjoys being ridden patiently and is drawn around a few fancied horses, so he should get a decent setup. The Flying Five Stakes is a Breeders' Cup Challenge Series: Win and You're In event, granting the winner an automatic, fees-paid berth to the Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (G1T) Oct. 31 at Keeneland.