Group 1 Keeneland Phoenix Stakes: Runner by runner betting guide

Two of this season’s most impressive Royal Ascot winners lock horns for the second time this season. Gstaad, who got the better of True Love on debut at Navan, are set to serve up a cracker for the Curragh faithful.

Gstaad got the better of True Love at Navan, but with the daughter of No Nay Never improving hand over fist since that defeat, will the exciting Gstaad be able to uphold that from this weekend?

Keenland Phoenix Stakes runner by runner getting guide – 6f

Andrew takes a look at all six runners going for the Keeneland Phoenix Stakes.

 2 GSTAAD (2)

• Age: 2
• Weight: 9st 4lb
• Form: 11
• Jockey: Ryan Moore
• Trainer: Adian O’Brien
• Current odds: 8/11

Gstaad got the better of True Love on debut, and the strapping son of Starspangledbanner has since gone on to put in a jaw-dropping performance at Royal Ascot. He turned what looked like a competitive renewal of the Coventry Stakes into a route.

We haven’t seen this massive talent since, but that would have been by design. However, even with that taking performance at Royal Ascot, his stablemate True Love edges it on rating. But as we know, Gstaad has only gotten to show us what he can do on two occasions, and with the promise of much more to come, he looks the one to beat.

Star Rating:

Bet on GSTAAD to win the Group 1 Keeneland Phoenix Stakes at 8/11 with William Hill

6 TRUE LOVE (5)

• Age: 2
• Weight: 9st 2lb
• Form: 2211
• Jockey: Wayne Lordan
• Trainer: Adian O’Brien
• Current odds: 11/4

This talented filly took three runs to get off the mark, but don’t be fooled by that, as Lady Iman beat her on debut, and just lost out to Gstaad on her second start. She but that right at Royal Ascot when leading from start to finish in the Queen Mary Stakes. On the back of that, she was sent off a strong favourite for the Group 2 Railway Stakes over course and distance, and looked the real deal with the manner of her win.

She travelled like a filly oozing class, and once Ryan Moore let her down, the response was immediate, and class came to the fore. Yes, she has already been beaten by Gstaad, but she has improved hand over fist since they last met, and she has every chance of getting the better of her stablemate here.

Star Rating:

Bet on TRUE LOVE to win the Group 1 Keeneland Phoenix Stakes at 11/4 with William Hill

5 GREEN SENSE (1)

• Age: 2
• Weight: 9st 2lb
• Form: 1201
• Jockey: Dylan Brown McMonagle
• Trainer: Joseph O’Brien
• Current odds: 11/1

In any normal year, Green Sense would have big claims here, but she faces two massive talents here. He forms ties in with True Love through Lady Iman, but it’s fair to say that the Aidan O’Brien filly has taken her form to a new atmosphere since her debut defeat to Lady Iman. Green Sense has her chance, but it is only a minor one at best. Her winning would mean that the top two would have massively underperformed.

Star Rating:

Bet on GREEN SENSE to win the Group 1 Keeneland Phoenix Stakes at 10/1 with William Hill

3 POWER BLUE (4)

• Age: 2
• Weight: 9st 5lb
• Form: 13253
• Jockey: David Egan
• Trainer: Adrian Murray
• Current odds: 18/1

The most exposed of the six runners, and one who has already tasted defeat at the hands of True Love and Gstaad, and has also finished behind Puerto Rico. Power Blue was beaten a long way, and fair and square on both occasions, so it’s hard to make a compelling case of him finding the required improvement to get closer to the main Aidan O’Brien duo.

Star Rating:

Bet on POWER BLUE to win the Group 1 Keeneland Phoenix Stakes at 18/1 with William Hill

4 PUERTO RICO (6)

• Age: 2
• Weight: 9st 5lb
• Form: 4222
• Jockey: Ronan Whelan
• Trainer: Adrian O’Brien
• Current odds: 20/1

The son of Wootton Bassett comes in here in search of his first win of his career, but it’s impossible to see him breaking his duck here. He was last seen finishing a two-length second to Coppull at Goodwood, who was winning on the back of being over three lengths behind Gstaad at Royal Ascot.

That line of form leaves Puerto Rico with a lot to find with his stablemate Gstaad, and he has already chased home True Love over course and distance. His job may be to make sure that True Love and Gstaad get a solid pace to drag them into the latter stages, but he will likely make it an Aidan O’Brien one, two, three.

Star Rating:

Bet on PUERTO RICO to win the Group 1 Keeneland Phoenix Stakes at 20/1 with William Hill

1 DO BRONXS (6)

• Age: 2
• Weight: 9st 5lb
• Form: 14
• Jockey: Declan McDonogh
• Trainer: David Loughnane
• Current odds: 50/1

After making a winning debut at Ayr in June, Do Bronxs was fourth of five beaten by over eight lengths behind Wise Approach at Listed level in Newbury. He needs to find a significant improvement to be competitive here, let alone have a chance of winning.

Pacemaking duties/upsetting the Ballydoyle game plan are on his cards. But as we saw last week, if a pacemaker gets its fractions spot on, there can always be room for an upset.

Star Rating:

Bet on PUERTO RICO to win the Group 1 Keeneland Phoenix Stakes at 50/1 with William Hill

Keeneland Phoenix Stakes verdict

Relistically, this is between the top two in the market, Gstaad and True Love. Slight preference is for TRUE LOVE over her stablemate. The daughter of No Nay Never has to turn around from Gstaad, but with the amount of improvement that she has shown in two successive starts, there is every reason to believe that this hugely talented filly can make it two from two over course and distance.

Current Betting: Gstaad 8/11, True Love 11/4, Green Sense 10/1, Power Blue 18/1, Puerto Rico 20/1, Do Bronxs 50/1.

About the author

Andrew Halligan

My name is Andrew Halligan, horse racing pundit and founder of YouTube’s The Finishing Line Podcast. Horse racing is a thrilling spectacle that captivates audiences around the world with its blend of drama and excitement. Whether you’re a jumps or flat fan, I will use my experience of working within the horse racing industry to bring the best of what this sport has to offer.

You can follow Andrew on X (@Halligan88).

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