Hi all,
We had to wait for the lucky last at the Curragh to get a winner on Saturday but it was worth the wait as Dalton Highway got his nose in front where it mattered. Even better if you were on BOG as he was surprisingly weak at the off being returned at a generous 12/1.
It’s been a successful couple of days at the Curragh. Hopefully we can end the weekend off with another winner or two. It’s the final day of the Irish Derby Festival at the Curragh with the feature race being the Group 1 Pretty Polly Stakes (3:40). There’s also a good race this side of the Irish Sea with the latest running of the bet365 sponsored Summer Cup, a handicap chase over 3m 2f, at Uttoxeter. And it’s at the Midlands track that I start Sunday’s preview with a look at the Summer Cup.
Uttoxeter
3:35 – bet365 Summer Cup (An Open Handicap Chase) (Listed Race) – 3m 2f
An open looking race with sixteen handicap chasers set to meet the starter for a winners first prize of £36,576.
Hard to disagree with Landofsmiles being the overnight favourite. The 8-year-old made it 4-8 over fences when winning at Perth three weeks ago. He’s been raised 5lb for that win which is fair and although he must prove his stamina for 3m 2f he stays 3m strongly and there’s a good chance he will get this far. Talkischeap was a neck back in second. He gets 1lb from the winner today and although stamina he doesn’t have the upside of Landofsmiles.
Minellacelebration won this race 12 months ago off 3lb lower. He ran well when 4th of 8 at Aintree last month and would have finished closer but for a mistake three out. Well suited to a sound surface the 11-year-old should make another bold bid to retain his crown.
Fox Pro remains a maiden after seven starts over fences. He put in another solid effort when 2nd of 7 at Ffos Las 24-days ago. Needs to find a bit more improvement for the step up 3m 2f if he’s to win a race as hot as this.
Lock’s Corner made it 4-6 over fences when beating two rivals at Stratford last time. That win came over 2m 1f. Best performance over hurdles on RPR’s came over 3m at Cheltenham last autumn so he could stay 3m over fences. Goes well on good ground and if his stamina holds the 7-year-old won’t be far away.
Verdict: You can never rule out last year’s winner Minellacelebration around here. Lock’s Corner is interesting on his step up to 3m 2f. There shouldn’t be much between Landofsmiles and Talkischeap on their Perth running but the former may not have reached his ceiling just yet.
1pt win – Landofsmiles – 6/1 @ Bet365 & Paddy Power
Curragh
2:30 – Sherry FitzGerald Country Homes Handicap – 6f
The 3-year-old Bellagio Man is the bookies early bird favourite. A winner of a 7f Gowran Park (soft) maiden two starts ago. Improved again when third at Fairyhouse last time. Dropped back to 6f for his handicap debut and open to more progress.
Rough Diamond is also lightly raced for his age. A winner of C&D maiden on his racecourse debut last season. Put in a career best when a strong finishing 3rd of 14 at Tipperary 26-days ago. Just 1lb higher and will be suited by the return to 6f. Looks set for big run.
Independent Missy a winner at Navan two starts back improved again when a head 2nd of 16 at Fairyhouse 16-days ago. In good form and the mare is just 1lb higher than last time. Another strong contender.
Blairmayne, a two-time C&D winner, was only beaten ½ length by Mr Lupton in a valuable C&D handicap last September. Runner-up on his seasonal return at Naas. Didn’t get the clearest of passages a furlong out when a ¾ length 10th behind Independent Missy at Fairyhouse last time and did well to finish a close as he did at the finish. The 8-year-old must be respected back here.
Verdict: I ‘m happy to let Bellagio Man win at around 9/2. Of those at the front of the market Rough Diamond & Independent Missy both appeal with a slight preference for the former. Given his C&D form Blairmayne is also on the shortlist.
1pt win – Rough Diamond – 11/2 @ Bet365
1pt win – Blairmayne – 12/1 @ Paddy Power & Betfair Sportsbook
3:05 – Paddy Power Rockingham Handicap (Premier Handicap) – 5f
David Barron brings over Zarzyni who was beaten a short head by Jabbarockie at Musselburgh when last seen in action 85-days ago. Up 4lb but provided the going is good he’s got a good chance with Sam Ewing booked to take off 5lb.
Mrs Bouquet has run well on all three starts in 2021. She finished a ¾ length 3rd of 16 at Fairyhouse 16-days ago. The drop back to the minimum trip is a positive and the 4-year-old remains on a fair mark.
Only Spoofing a winner over 5f at Navan two starts back matched that form when a 1 ½ length 2nd of 16 in the Epsom Dash last time. He’s only been raised 1lb for that effort and Luke’s McAteer takes off a handy 5lb.
Pretty Boy Floyd twice a winner here last autumn over 5f & 6f. The 6-year-old returned to winning ways at Haydock last month. Up 7lb and his best form has come on testing ground. It was heavy for his two win here last year and soft at Haydock.
Strong Johnson won twice over C&D last June including this race off 7lb lower. Bounced back to something like his best when a head 2nd of 14 at Tipperary 260 days ago. Up 2lb but Cian MacRedmond takes off 7lb which brings the 5-year-old right into the mix.
Jungle Jane was a short head behind Strong Johnson in this race 12 months ago and is just 1lb higher this time around. The mare hasn’t hit form on either start this season but the yard is among the winners and a reproduction of last year’s best would see her go close.
Urban Beat twice a winner here over 6f. Was beaten just a head in this last year and is just 2lb higher now. Has been running in Group & Listed company and won a Group 3 on the all-weather last October. Back in handicap the top-weight is on a workable mark provide the ground isn’t too quick.
Verdict: There’s a valuable spring handicap in Zarzyni. Mrs Bouquet will like the ground and the return to the minimum distance. Only Spoofing was runner-up in the Epsom Dash last time and is another who will like underfoot conditions. Strong Johnson and Jungle Jane were first and second in this last year and have chances again.
1pt win – Zarzyni – 4/1 @ Paddy Power & Betfair Sportsbook
1pt win – Mrs Bouquet – 12/1 @ Bet365 & Paddy Power
3:40 – Alwasmiyah Pretty Polly Stakes (Group 1) – 1m 2f
It’s crunch day for Santa Barbara. Beaten favourite in the 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket and the Oaks. She remains with potential and today’s drop back to 1m 2f could see her returning to winning ways.
Cayenne Pepper won a Group 2 over C&D last September. Runner-up in last year’s Irish Oaks this is her trip and she goes well on a sound surface. Ground would have plenty soft enough for her on her seasonal reappearance over C&D in the Tattersalls Gold Cup last month.
Thundering Nights was 5 ½ lengths behind Cayenne Pepper here last autumn but she’s improved since. Runner-up on her seasonal return to Broome she put in a great effort when only beaten a nose in Grade 2 at Belmont Park 23-days ago. Provided this doesn’t come to quick she can go close.
William McCreery saddles Epona Plays has returned to action in the form of her career win a Group 3 at Naas and a Group 2 here last time. Both those wins have come over a mile but she stays 1m 2f. May be better on slightly easier going but should go well if in the same form as last time. His other runner Insinuendo has only had three career starts. The 4-year-old has won two of them and comes into this on the back of a win in the Group 3 Blue Wind Stakes (1m 2f) last month. There could be more improvement to come from here and she’s not dismissed easily.
Verdict: Today’s feature race. It’s now or never for Santa Barbara. Cayenne Pepper and Thundering Night are good older fillies and William McCreery has a couple improving fillies in Epona Playa.
2pts win – Cayenne Pepper – 7/2 @ Bet365 & Paddy Power
4:45 – Irish Stallion Farms EBF “Ragusa” Handicap (Premier Handicap) – 1m 4f
Mosala a maiden winner at Dundalk in January. The 4-year-old put in a career best effort back on turf when a neck 2nd of 18 at Leopardstown last month. Only having his second start in handicap company today but his stamina for 1m 4f will be tested.
Aesop a winner at Cork on his reappearance bounced back from a poor run here to finish a close-up 3rd of 12 at Cork last time. Good ground is a positive and there is a race in the 4-year-old off around his present mark.
Vultan was a head back in 4th behind Aesop at Cork. That was a career best effort from the 4-year-old and Dylan Browne McMonagle’s 5lb claim could make all the difference.
Irish Poseidon twice a winner in Germany and a three-time winner at Dundalk in Nov/Dec. Returns to the flat after three runs over hurdles. The 5-year-old is 13lb higher than for the last of his wins but was an improver when last seen on the level and he shouldn’t be far away.
Cheers
John