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Suit Strong Favourite for this Sunday's Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh 06/08/10

Strong Suit, the current 5-1 favourite for next year’s 2000 Guineas, heads a list of nine horses who stood their ground at the 48 hour declaration stage for this Sunday’s Keeneland Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh.

Richard Hannon’s charge, who will race in Group 1 company for the first time, is rated a 10-11 chance by William Hill to follow up his impressive victory in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot.

The leading Irish hope is the unbeaten Dunboyne Express from the Kevin Prendergast yard. The son of Shamardal has won on both his starts and he is rated a 9-4 chance to make it three from three this weekend.

Aidan O’Brien who will be looking to win the Phoenix for an eleventh time has left four horses in the race – including the recent Tyros stakes winner Zoffany. The other Ballydoyle entries are Samuel Morse, Emperor Hadrian and Snow Mountain.

All Aasifh, Glor Na Mara and Foolproof complete the line-up for the Phoenix Stakes.

‘Strong Suit looked like a machine when he won the Coventry – and that performance entitles him to be favourite for the Phoenix,’ said William Hill spokesman Tony Kenny ‘Dunboyne Express looks like the best of the home challengers, but you certainly couldn’t rule out the chances of Zoffany or Samuel Morse.’

Keeneland Phoenix Stakes: (William Hill) 10-11 Strong Suit, 9-4 Dunboyne Express, 9-2 Zoffany, 14-1 Al Aasifh, Samuel Morse, 20-1 Glor Na Mara, 50-1 Emperor Hadrian, 100-1 Fool Proof, Snow Mountain – All 9 Quoted - (EW 1/5 1,2,3)

2000 Guineas 2011: 5-1 Strong Suit, 20-1 Dunboyne Express, King Torus, 25-1 Elzaam, Libranno, Peter Martins, Zoffany, 33-1 Ecliptic, Glor na Mar, Native Khan, Pathfork, Samuel Morse, Zaidan, 40-1 Casual Glimpse Others available (EW 1/4 1,2,3)