Emperor Favourite To Rule At The Curragh Holy Roman Emperor is 11-10 with William Hill for Sunday's Independent Waterford Wedgewood Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh. Aidan O'Brien will be hoping his progressive youngster can add to his record of two wins, one of which was over course and distance, with victory in the 2 year old Group 1 contest for Colts and Geldings. Bryan Smart's Hellvelyn is 5-2 second in with William Hill who reported a fair amount of Ante-Post interest in the unbeaten grey for next year's Stan James 2000 Guineas.Ben Clarke of Hill's remarked: 'Hellvelyn has been very popular for the 2000 Guineas in the past couple of days but given the course and distance form of Holy Roman Emperor we think Bryan Smart's youngster will be up against it this weekend. It promises to be a fantastic race and whatever the result we'll have a much better idea as to the likely destination of next year's classics.'Independent Waterford Wedgewood Phoenix Stakes: 11-10 Holy Roman Emperor, 5-2 Hellvellyn, 5-1 Drayton, 8-1 Brazilliam Bride, 14-1 Rabatash, 25-1 Miss Beatrix, 40-1 King Of Swords
