Hi all,
Some more decent action at the Curragh with the Group 2 Kilboy Estate Stakes (3.55) and the Group 2 Minstrel Stakes (2.10) the highlights of a seven race card. In today’s preview I have taken a look at six of the eight races on the Curragh card.
Curragh
1:40 – Unless was returned 2/7 to make a winning racecourse debut at Leopardstown last month but she ran below market expectations when length 3rd of 5. Likely capable of better with that run under belt. She does face some well-bred and entered up newcomers. Two to catch the eye are Eternal Silence & Shelton. The former a daughter of War Front out of dam who won the Ribblesdale Stakes (1m 4f) has a Group 1 entry so is clearly highly regarded. Shelton a daughter Mehmas has a speedy pedigree and is another that holds a Group 1 entry.
2:10 – Romanised Minstrel Stakes (Group 2) – 7f
Order Of Australia made most to win this race 12 months ago and will be sharper for his 3rd of 7 to Baaeed in the Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot his seasonal reappearance. Pearls Galore has won both this season’s starts including a Group 2 over a mile here in May. The biggest rival to Order Of Australia at today’s distance may turn out to be Dr Zempf who made it 2-2 over 7f when winning a Group 3 at Leopardstown.
2:45 – Amortentia looked an improver when on his handicap debut at Naas back in May and wasn’t disgraced when a 5 ½ lengths 11th of 30 in Britannia Stakes Handicap at Royal Ascot last time. This looks easier for the top-weight, and he has a good chance if he stays 1m 2f. Kerkiyra remains a maiden after five starts but she ran in four hot maidens as a juvenile. Decent reappearance effort when a 1 ½ lengths 3rd of 15 at Naas in May. Her dam won over 1m 4f so on pedigree the step up to 1m 2f should suit here. Nectarine showed much improved form to win a Fairyhouse handicap last Sunday. Drop back to 1m 2f shouldn’t inconvenience her but she has been hiked up 12lb for 9 ½ length success.
3:20 – West Coast looked a useful filly when winning a Leopardstown maiden on her final juvenile start but was well beaten in the valuable Madrid Handicap in March on her seasonal return. Aidan O’Brien has given her 1 112-day break and I can see her bouncing back to form here. Jessica Harrington runs two recent winners in Ha Ha Ha & Aurora Princess. Looking at the early betting the former looks the stable pick. However, I wouldn’t dismiss Aurora Princess back in handicap company. Miss Mirabell remains capable of a better on just her second start in handicap company and is another with claims in a tricky fillies’ only handicap.
3:55 – Kilboy Estate Stakes (Group 2) – 1m 1f
There are two English based challengers in Purplepay and Potapova. Purplepay didn’t stay 1m2f when a 4 ¼ lengths 6th of 9 in the Group 1 Pretty Polly Stakes here last month. Drop back to a 1m 1f is a positive but she might need more ease underfoot. Potapova possibly wasn’t suited to the tapeta surface or didn’t stay 1m 2f when a disappointing 7th of 9 in a Group 3 at Newcastle last time. She’s better judged on her 1 ¼ length 2nd of 10 in a Group 3 at Epsom two starts back.
Rumbles Of Thunder a winner of a Gowran Listed race in May was a bit below form when a 4 ¾ length 3rd of 7 to Aikhal in the Group 3 International Stakes (1m 2f) here last month. Back against her own sex today and shouldn’t be far away if back to her best. Seisai was 3 lengths behind Rumbles Of Thunder at Gowran Park and looks held on that form but she got no luck in the run when a ½ length 3rd of 11 in Naas Listed race last month.
Lily Pond looked an improver when a 2 ¼ length 3rd of 8 to Rosscarbery in the Munster Oaks (1m 4f) at Cork two starts back. Likely didn’t stay 1m 6f when a 9 length 6th of 12 to Roscarberry in a Group 3 at Leopardstown 10-days ago. Takes a big drop in trip here but very much one to consider.
5:00 – Are We Dreaming took to the fitting of the first time visor and drop back to 5f when winning a Bellewstown maiden 16-days ago. Looks on a workable mark of 74 for handicap debut and must be high on the shortlist.
Mass Gathering posted a career best on RPR’s when winning a Bellewstown Handicap (5f) last time. She produced a good change of gear to win that day and although she’s been hit by a 10lb rise in the weights. It was soft ground last time but if she’s as effective on a sounder surface should be in the mix.
Only Spoofing bounced back to winning ways for a return to a sound surface at Navan in May and has remained in form since finishing third and first in two runs at Musselburgh last month. Below his best when only 7th of 18 on yielding ground in a better race over C&D last time. This easier for the 8-year-old with ground more in his favour. Better run expected but I do have concerns about stall 1.
I’m taking a few days off, so watch your inboxes for selections later in the week.
Betting Advice:
Curragh
2:45 – 1pt win – Kerkiyra – 7/1 @ Bet365
5:00 – 1pt win – Mass Gathering – 11/2 @ Bet365
Cheers
John