David Wachman’s Sudirman causes upset in Keeneland Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh

There was a shock result to the Keeneland Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh yesterday as red-hot favourite War Command could finish only third behind David Wachman’s Sudirman.

The Aidan O’Brien-trained War Command ran out a brilliant winner when 20/1 for the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot and he was unsurprisingly far shorter odds to make it three wins from as many starts, being sent off the 2/5 favourite.

However, with Mick Channon’s Ambiance setting a fierce pace, it was clear a long way from home that War Command was in trouble and Joseph O’Brien was hard at work in the saddle from well over a furlong out.

Sudirman, winner of the Railway Stakes over course and distance in late June, was a 4/1 shot in the hands of Wayne Lordan and moved sweetly throughout.

Railway runner-up Big Time came to challenge his old rival in the closing stages, but just as he had done 43 days earlier, Sudirman held on by half a length. To his credit, War Command did respond to pressure, finishing a further half a length away. Wachman said: “He’s a good tough horse, he won’t do too much when he gets there, he idles in front.”

Stan James introduced Sudirman as a 14/1 chance for next year’s 2,000 Guineas, while easing War Command to 10/1 from 5s. Kingman was cut to 13/2 favourite from 8/1.