Kool races in best Kompany Connections of Kool Kompany believe the Keeneland Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh on Sunday is shaping up into one of the best juvenile heats of the season. The Middleham Park Racing-owned juvenile has already beaten a couple of this weekend's rivals and arrives fresh from his Group Two success in the Prix Robert Papin. He was supplemented earlier in the week. "In typical Middleham Park style, after ending up with Toormore in one of the hottest 2000 Guineas, we've now got Kool Kompany in a pretty warm renewal of this race," said racing manager Tim Palin. "Before we supplemented, I looked back at the record of recent races and it seemed there were one or two years when the race was less competitive, a few years where it was more so. "The colts have to give the fillies 3lb and of course that would be a concern. However, on the ratings, our boy is on 111 and Anthem Alexander is on 105, so even with the 3lb, she would still have a bit to find, as would Beach Belle. "But those kind of fillies can often find plenty of improvement going from their Listed win to a race like this." Kool Kompany has shown his best form when racing prominently, including when winning the Railway Stakes on his last visit to Ireland, but Palin insists the colt does not have to make all to have a chance. "The Robert Papin run shows that we don't have to lead, he just doesn't want settling out the back like we did at Ascot (when well beaten in the Coventry Stakes)," he said of the Richard Hannon-trained youngster. "He can handle any type of ground but being by Jeremy, we know he will handle cut as well as quicker ground. "It's going to be fascinating to watch, and after really bringing together the English, Irish and French form last time, we're kind of doing that again with the colts and fillies coming together. "We will see if he's really a Group One horse on Sunday and after that we will have to work out what to do. " Aidan O'Brien has dominated over the last 10 years, fielding no less than six winners including the likes of George Washington, Holy Roman Emperor and Mastercraftsman. Recent Anglesey Stakes hero Dick Whittington heads his quartet with The Great War and War Envoy, who finished third behind Kool Kompany in the Railway, flying the flag for the colts. Group Three-winning filly I Am Beautiful joins them. O'Brien said: "Dick Whittington has been a very solid horse. He travels with plenty of pace and gets it (the trip) well. The other two colts just haven't got it together yet, but we are starting to think they might. "It looks a good race and it's important those races are competitive, it's good for everyone."
