Kevin Stott’s Blog: Bucanero’s Phoenix chances should be Unquestionable

William Hill ambassador and leading rider Kevin Stott looks ahead to riding Bucanero Fuerte in the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh.

Curragh, Saturday

It could be a big day for me on Saturday, as I ride Bucanero Fuerte in the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes (4.40pm). With only seven runners, it’s only a small field, but I’m relieved that River Tiber isn’t due to run here anymore.

Aidan O’Brien sends Unquestionable instead, who we just managed to hold off in the Railway Stakes last time at the Curragh, beating him by only a short head.

We look set for another battle to the finish line with him here, as we’re drawn the same distance apart as we were then. Bucanero Fuerte is drawn in one, while Unquestionable is drawn in three. Last time we were in three and five respectively, so this race could pan out very similarly.

It looks to be a hot race, with a lot of talent coming from all angles. That unbeaten filly of Donnacha O’Brien’s, Porta Fortuna, has been excellent this season, going strongly into her finishes, and she has the fillies’ weight allowance here to boot. She could be a worry for us.

The stands’ side seems to be the Golden Highway at the Curragh this season, so I’ll be aiming to gradually make my way across there.

I expect that Launch will lead the field in the early stages, and I want to find a nice position behind her and hope that she sets the pace up well for us.

This is a hugely exciting race and I think we should have the favourite’s chance. It’ll be tight at the top of the market, but Bucanero Fuerte has definitely taken a step forward at home and is still improving, so there’s loads more to come from him.

Royal Ascot was his first ever real battle to the finish, and I think it’s made him hungrier to win, which he showed last time here. He’s got the class to win this, and I hope we can reproduce that winning run, if not better it.