Navigator Loses His Way

Henrythenavigator was overthrown by Godolphin's Rio De La Plata at the head of the betting for next year's Stan James 2000 Guineas after he suffered a narrow defeat to Saoirse Abu on heavy ground at the Curragh.

Aidan O'Brien's colt was all the rage for the Group One Independent Waterford Wedgwood Phoenix Stakes and was sent off the 1-2 favourite, but found the Jim Bolger-trained 25-1 outsider just a length too good.

Henrythenavigator, who was eased by the Guineas sponsors to 10-1 from 8s, had won both his previous starts including Royal Ascot's Coventry Stakes on good to firm going, but this was a completely different kettle of fish.

His stablemate Warsaw set the pace and while Kieren Fallon was soon nudging his mount along, Kevin Manning was sitting tight on the rail aboard Saoirse Abu, who was blinkered for the first time.

Henrythenavigator did respond gamely and the pair were locked together in the final furlong.

But it was the filly who pulled out a little more, giving Bolger a third Phoenix Stakes since 1994 and interrupting O'Brien's amazing sequence of landing eight of the last nine renewals.

Saoirse Abu shares the same sire as Bolger's dual 1000 Guineas winner Finsceal Beo, although that filly is not said to like give underfoot.

'This is a soft-ground Mr Greeley, although she doesn't have to have it soft ? she goes on others,' said Bolger.

'We did not use her enough at Leopardstown last time (when third in a Listed race) and I would have been happy to run her without blinkers, but you have to use all the aids available.

'She was brave and we will have to go for a mile at some point ? she will get the trip.'

She was cut to as low as 14-1 from 33s for the 2008 1000 Guineas by Boylesports and her next start is likely to be in the Moyglare Stud Stakes back at the track in three weeks.

Of Henrythenavigator, Fallon explained: 'It was always going to be a struggle on that ground.

'I knew we were in trouble going down to the start.'

O'Brien added: 'The ground was very deep ? it was point-to-point ground. But that's the way it goes.

'When you start off in Group Ones, you always hope for improvement and we'll just have to see how he is now.'

Ger Lyons' Queen Mary Stakes winner Elletelle was slowly away from the stalls and was beaten a length and three quarters back in third.

The Loan Express had every chance in fourth while the sole British raider ? Jeremy Noseda's Captain Royale ? was last.

(C) PA Sport