Aidan O'Brien Sports Strong Hand Sunday at Saint-Cloud

Aidan O'Brien's 2-year-olds have carried the fight through an otherwise challenging late summer and autumn, and the trainer is loaded up with potential improvers in both the Criterium International (G1) and the Criterium de Saint-Cloud (G1) Oct. 25 at Saint-Cloud Racecourse, as he bids to bridge the gap from his current total of 23 group 1 victories for the season to his 2017 record of 28. O'Brien has a record seven wins in the Criterium International—which was only introduced in 2001—and Ryan Moore has chosen Oct. 17 Killavullan Stakes (G3) winner Capability Brown (IRE) over Aix La Chapelle, the mount of Christophe Soumillon. "Capability Brown handles an ease in the ground and it was 7 furlongs at Leopardstown but we think he should be happy going back up to a mile," O'Brien said. "Aix La Chapelle ran well at Longchamp (in the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere) and we also think going up to a mile will suit him." On official ratings, Capability Brown has a bit to find with Aix La Chapelle, although 5 pounds covers the entire field with the exception of Gymbaazy (FR), and ability to handle the rain-softened ground is likely to be of greater importance than the exact level of form. The longer Criterium de Saint-Cloud has also been a happy hunting ground for O'Brien, although only two of his six winners have come since 2010. Drumbeat (IRE) followed up his third-placed effort behind Noble Exhibit (IRE) in the Beresford Stakes (G2) with a 5 1/2-length stroll in the Zetland Stakes (G3), and it was no surprise to see Moore's name against his when jockey declarations came through Oct. 23. "Drumbeat gets a mile and a quarter well and we always thought he'd have no problem with an ease in the ground," O'Brien said. "We think Victory Speech (Wayne Lordan) will like this trip. Shakespeare (Christophe Soumillon) is still a little bit immature, but we think he is coming on mentally." The diminutive Just Yet (IRE) won the main French trial and has been supplemented, as were both Godolphin runners: Al Jabbar (IRE) and Royal Acclamation (GB). On official ratings Jesus Green (IRE) is a match for Drumbeat, and trainer Joseph O'Brien took this race two years ago with Tennessee Stud (IRE). Queenstown (IRE) and Amelia Earhart (IRE) represent Aidan O'Brien in the Prix Royal Oak (G1), and the former must be one of the hardiest horses in training, as he wheels out again following his third in the Prix du Cadran (G1), before being run down late by Mount Atlas (GB) in the British Champions Long Distance Cup Stakes (G1) Oct. 17 at Ascot Racecourse. "Queenstown was second in this race last year and is in good form," O'Brien said. "Amelia Earhart ran well at Ascot, and Colin (Keane) felt she got a little bit back and being handier might have suited her better." There are dangers lurking everywhere, with Consent (IRE) finally getting her conditions and Jabracadabra (FR) on a steep upward curve in a race in which 3-year-olds have a good record. Nor is Double Major (IRE) out of calculations on the basis of his fourth in the Cadran, as he faces the starter for the final time before heading off to a well-earned retirement.