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Exogenesis bidding for Futurity honours
War Command (left) will be aiming to bounce back from his surprise defeat in the Railway Stakes
© Photo Healy Racing
Exogenesis bids to take his winning streak to four with his toughest task to date when he takes on Group Two company in the Galileo EBF Futurity Stakes at the Curragh this afternoon.
The Ger Lyons-trained juvenile has been on an upward curve culminating in a Group Three success at Leopardstown on his latest start in July.
"He's a typical Dark Angel, a seven-furlong to a mile horse," said the Co Meath handler.
"I'm just looking at his two-year-old career - he's also in the Champagne Stakes.
"He's an uncomplicated horse, he's adaptable on ground but doesn't want it too firm or too soft. I'm not saying Exogenesis is Group Two or Group One quality, but we're not afraid to lose by running him."
When asked about receiving offers for him, Lyons said: "The money hasn't been right to sell him. It hasn't hit the magical figure." Mustajeeb looked a horse with a bright future when winning a maiden in tremendous style at the Galway Festival.
Trainer Dermot Weld said: "Mustajeeb won well enough at Galway but this looks an excellent renewal of the Group Two and it will be a good test for him."
Aidan O'Brien saddles Coventry scorer War Command who bids to bounce back after a surprise defeat in the Phoenix Stakes.
The Ballydoyle handler is also represented by Friendship who has recorded victories at Leopardstown and Tipperary since finishing second to Mustajeeb at Galway.
O'Brien said of his duo on www.coolmore.com: "War Command was coming back from a break in the Phoenix Stakes and the race should have brought him on. We're happy with him.
"The original plan was to wait and step him up to seven furlongs in the Vincent O'Brien National Stakes next month, but he came out of his last race very well and we decided to try him over the distance in this race before going to the National Stakes.
"The faster the ground, the better Friendship will like it. We're running him back very soon but he seems to have taken Thursday night's race well."
Jim Bolger 's Freedom Square completes the quintet. He has not been since disappointing in the Chesham Stakes at Royal Ascot.