Quorto ready for big step up in National

Stablemates Quorto and Beyond Reason give Godolphin solid claims in both landmark two-year-old races at the Curragh on the second day of the Irish Champions meeting.

Trainer Charlie Appleby, who has runners in four countries this weekend, is happy with both as they prepare to take on the might of Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien’s Ballydoyle juvenile squad.

Quorto faces six rivals, including the O’Brien-trained Anthony Van Dyck, in the G1 Vincent O’Brien National Stakes, over seven furlongs.

The son of Dubawi is unbeaten in two starts, the most recent win coming in the G2 Superlative Stakes on Newmarket’s July Course.

“He had a nice break after the Superlative, and he has come back better than ever. He appears in good order,” Appleby reported.

“He is taking a step up in class, and this race will decide the main contenders for the Classics next year,” he added,  Beyond Reason, a daughter of dual Derby winner Australia, faces nine rivals in the G1 Moyglare Stud Stakes, also over seven furlongs, and the trainer believes that she, too,  can make her mark.

“She has progressed with every run and comes to this off wins in a G2 and G3 at Deauville. I expect her to give a good account of herself,” he added.