Hi all,
Irish Champions Weekend heads to the Curragh for another day of fantastic racing. There are four Group 1’s on the eight-race card.
The main event is the Irish St Leger (4.40) as Search For A Song bids to complete a hat-trick in the Classic. Top juveniles from Ireland and Britain will be on show in the Moyglare Stud Stakes (3.30) and National Stakes (4.05). In the latter race the Aidan O’Brien trained Point Lonsdale puts his unbeaten record on the line. He faces the unbeaten Charlie Appleby trained colt Native Trail and exciting Dermot Weld juvenile Duke De Sessa who created a good impression when winning at the Curragh last month.
The classy 5f sprinters are out in force in the Group 1 Flying Five (2.55). Last year’s winner and subsequent Breeders’ Cup winner Glass Slippers could bid to provide Kevin Ryan with more top-level glory following Emaraaty Ana’s Sprint Cup success at the weekend. There are also two ultra-looking competitive handicaps that bookend the card.
Across the Channel Longchamp stages its trials day for next month’s Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe headlined by the Group 1 Prix Vermeille, for which Arc favourite Snowfall holds an entry. The Prix Neil and Prix Foy are other races that are often used as a prep for the Arc.
This side of the Irish Sea there’s plenty of action there’s the rescheduled Sunday Series meeting at Haydock and cards at Bath, Chelmsford and Musselburgh. ITV are covering all seven races from Haydock, plus two from the Curragh and one from Musselburgh as part of a ten-race show.
All today’s selections are from the Curragh and can be found at the end of today’s preview. I have also taken a brief look at all the races on Haydocks’s Sky Bet Sunday Series card for those of you thinking of going through the card although there are no selections.
Irish Champions Weekend – Day 2
Curragh
There’s another eight-race bonanza for racing fans at the Curragh this afternoon. Fingers crossed there’s not much rain forecast for the Curragh so it should be decent ground.
1:45 – Irish Stallion Farms EBF “Bold Lad” Sprint Handicap (Premier Handicap) – 6f
The draw normally favours those drawn high over 6f here but in last year’s race the first four home were drawn in the first seven stalls. Looking at the pace map for the race most of the early pace also looks to be drawn low to middle.
Blairmayne twice a C&D winner is well suited a strongly run 6f on a stiff track as he showed when winning at Naas 41-days ago. Up 4lb and on a career high mark makes life tougher for the 8-year-old but he ticks the all-important boxes of course, distance & going and should give his running once again from a probably decent draw in stall 20.
Lord Dudley has already won twice this season but put in a career best effort when a ½ length 2nd of 16 over C&D 16-days ago. Up 4lb for his latest effort but interestingly the first-time blinkers are being applied and Adam Farragher comes over to take advantage of being still able to claim 7lb in Ireland. Another big run expected from the 3-year-old and he’s high on the shortlist.
Hightimeyouwon has improved with each start this season and found the drop back to an extended 6f no problem when a head 2nd of 19 here 57-days ago. Up 4lb but shouldn’t be far away again on ground that should suit. Trainer Dermot Weld has booked Ryan Moore for the ride.
Edward Lynam who saddled the winner in 2018 runs four. Major Power, Jon Riggens, Rough Diamond and Heavenly Power. You can make a strong case for the last three.
Jon Riggens showed improved form to get off the mark on his first start since joining the yard when showing a nice turn of foot to beat 11 rivals in a 5f maiden here 35-days ago. Handicap debut over 6f, should stay, off what looks a workable mark of 86, if stall 8 isn’t an inconvenience.
Heavenly Power, a half-brother to top sprinter Slade Power, also won a C&D maiden last time. Previously the 3-year-old had finished runner-up to stablemate Jon Riggens here over 5f. It was soft ground when he won so quick ground is a bit of an unknown but stall 27 could be ideal and he’s another on a good-looking mark for his handicap debut.
Rough Diamond might be a 4-year-old but he’s only had six career starts. A winner of a soft ground C&D maiden on his racecourse debut last August before finishing runner-up on his handicap debut. Did best of the drawn low when a ¾ length 3rd of 14 at Tipperary on his second start this season. Not quiet at that level when 3 ¼ length 6th of 19 in the valuable Scurry Handicap here last time. He has three lengths to find with Hightimeyouwon on that running but he gets 6lb and I think we haven’t seen the best of him yet.
Given the form of the Jessica Harrington & Ger Lyons yards you can’t rule out Provocateuse who made all to win a fillies’ handicap at Naas last time and in July made most to win here over 5f. She’s up 7lb for her Naas success but is going the right way although she will do well to dominate this field out of stall 4.
Ger Lyons saddles Angel Palm and Power Under Me. The former showed she’s well suited to 6f when winning at Dundalk last month. An 8lb rise in the weights makes life tougher for the 3-year-old but she will enjoy the decent ground and stall 22 may be a good one. Power Under Me is the choice of stable jockey Colin Keane and races out of stall 9. The 3-year-old has placed in a Group 2 over 7f and last month finished a 2 ¼ length 2nd of 7 behind the smart Gustavus Weston, who runs in the Group 1 Flying Fire later on the card, in a Group 2 over C&D last month. Big weight to carry but he does have a touch of class.
Verdict: I normally want to be with those drawn high here but that didn’t work out in last years race. I’m going to take three one low, one from the middle and one drawn high. Of the three Edward Lynam runners I want to be with Rough Diamond and Jon Riggens. I like the claims of Lord Dudley with Adam Farragher taking a valuable 7lb off the 3-year-old’s back.
2:20 – Moyglare ”Jewels” Blandford Stakes (Group 2) (Fillies & Mares) – 1m 2f
Love takes a drop-in class here and races against her own sex for the first time since winning last year’s Yorkshire Oaks. Last season’s 1,000 Guineas & Oaks winner hasn’t been at her very best this season but still managed to win the Group 1Prince Of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot on her seasonal reappearance. Remains the one to beat and should win even if not at her very best.
Her main rivals are Thundering Nights who won the Group 1 Pretty Polly Stakes over C&D two starts back and then finished a close-up 3rd of 8 in a Group 1 at Deauville three weeks ago. Cayenne Pepperwon this race last years and goes well on a sound surface. She finished 2 ¾ lengths behind Thundering Nights in the Pretty Polly and behind that one at Deauville last time. Needs Love to underperform to win but I fancy that this race has been her aim all season.
La Petite Coco has improved with each of her five starts this season. She stepped into Group company for the first time and put in an impressive display to win a Cork Group 3 (soft) by a comfortable 5 ½ lengths. Fully deserves to take her chance and could well be the one to give Love most to do but quick ground would be a concern.
Verdict: Love is the one to beat. Le Petite Coco is the big improver in the field but maybe better on softer ground. Last year’s winner Cayenne Pepper has likely had the race on her radar all season and will like the ground.
2:55 – Derrinstown Stud Flying Five Stakes (Group 1) – 5f
A cracking line up for this Group 1 sprint. Recent Nunthorpe winner Winter Power comes over for the race. A reproduction of her York run would make her difficult to beat here. However, the Curragh’s a much stiffer track does make her vulnerable.
Last year’s winner Glass Slippers missed York to wait for this race. She made a promising reappearance behind Suesa at Goodwood and will be spot on fitness wise for this.
Dragon Symbol finished 1 ¾ lengths behind Winter Power at York but this stiffer track will suit him better than York. The 3-year-old has placed on his four starts in Group 1 company and wouldn’t be winning one out of turn.
The home team also have two strong contenders in Mooneista and Gustavus Weston. The latter has won three times here but all those wins have come over 6f. However, he doesn’t lack pace so the drop back to 5f shouldn’t be too much of a problem for the 5-year-old who is getting better with age.
Mooneista beat Gustavus Weston in a Group 2 over C&D 57-days ago. The 3-year-old had too much speed on good ground for the runner-up on that occasion. She hasn’t run for 57-days but this race has been the target so she will be spot on for it.
Verdict: I want to take on Winter Power away from York. Last year’s winner Glass Slippers has likely been aimed at this and has a big chance. Mooneista is an improving sprinter and should go well.
3:30 – Moyglare Stud Stakes (Group 1) – 7f
The first of the two juvenile Group 1 contests. Agartha is improving with racing and she put in a dominate front running display to win the Group 2 Debutante Stakes over C&D last time. The ground was soft that day but she handled good ground well enough when winning at Leopardstown.
Discoveries finished 4 ½ length behind Agartha last time. Alpha Centauri’s half sister could get closer to the winner on quicker ground and has the scope to better as 3-year-old.
We haven’t seen the Dermot Weld trained Homeless Songs since she beat Agartha in a Leopardstown maiden back at the beginning of July. The daughter of Frankel looked a smart prospect that day and although she’s bred to be a better 3-year-old and over mile+ she should go well here.
Cairde Go Deo confirmed the promise over Leopardstown debut when improving to win over C&D last month. Like Homeless Songs anything she does as juvenile is a bonus as the best of her should be seen next year. Interesting that Ger Lyons has supplemented the filly for this Group 1 contest.
Verdict: Cairde Go Deo and Homeless Songs are open to plenty of improvement. Agartha brings the best form into after her win a Group 2 over C&D last time. Discoveries was third to Agartha last time but on a sounder surface could get closer today.
4:05 – Vincent O’Brien National Stakes (Group 1) – 7f
A small but select field of seven for this year’s renewal of the National Stakes. Point Lonsdale made it 4-4 when winning a Group 2 over C&D 22-days ago. He’s arguably the best juvenile we have seen so far this season and is likely to be sent off a strong favourite for the race. Given there doesn’t seem to be much in the way of pace pressure he also seems likely to get an uncontested lead.
It will take a good one to lower his colours today but there are colts who are also exciting prospects. The Charlie Appleby trained Native Trail impressed me when making it 2-2 when beating 8 rivals in the Group Superlative Stakes at Newmarket. He will need to have improved on that running to beat Point Lonsdale but given he’s a big scopey colt there’s a good chance that there are better performances in him.
Duke De Sessa improved on his racecourse debut when running out an impressive winner of a mile maiden here 22-days ago. Trainer Dermot Weld has speaking very highly of the son of Lope De Vega whose dam won over 1m 6f as a 3-year-old. Whether a race like this comes to early in his career we shall find out today but whatever his fate today he’s likely got a big future ahead.
Verdict: Duke De Sessa could be a Classic horse next season but should go well here. Point Lonsdale is clear of the field on ratings and will be a tough nut to crack but I really like Native Trail and I think he’s the one most likely to beat the favourite.
4:40 – Comer Group International Irish St. Leger (Group 1) – 1m 6f
Search For A Song bids for an Irish St Leger hat trick. The 5-year’s old’s whole season has been geared around this race and she’s the one to beat. That said she does face what looks a stronger field of rivals this time around.
Baron Samedi won seven on the bounce, five races last season and two this, after a gelding operation. Found his winning run finally come to and end in a Group 1 won over 1m 4f at Saint-Cloud in July. He stays 2m and this previous Group 2 winner could well win a Group 1 over this sort of distance. Stablemate Twilight Payment won last season’s Melbourne Cup and bounced back to winning ways when beating Princess Zoe in a Group 3 over C&D last month.
Barrington Court was 4 ½ lengths behind Twilight Payment last time and probably needs the rain to arrive to finish in front of the winner here.
Sonnyboyliston battled on well to win the Ebor Handicap at York last time. The 4-year-old is on a upward curve. He doesn’t have much to find on the figures and is unexposed over 1m 6f. Seems likely to give his running once more and is a contender.
Passion is the choice of Ryan Moore ahead of King Of The Castle & Amhran Na Bhfiann. The 4-year-old was only 5th in this race last year but ended last season with a career best effort when a 3 ½ length 3rd of 12 behind Wonderful Tonight in the Group 1 Fillies & Mares on Champions Day. Just the one start this season when third to Amhran Na Bhfiann over C&D on Irish Derby Weekend.
Verdict: Search For A Song must have a great chance of a race hat trick but this looks a stronger race than last year. The most likely to beat her looks to be Baron Samedi.
5:45 – Irish Stallion Farms EBF “Northfields” Handicap (Premier Handicap) -1m 2f
There should be a strong pace here which could bring the closers into this although they usually normally aren’t favoured over the distance here.
Just a 26-runner handicap to conclude Irish Champions Weekend and a race you can see on ITV this afternoon. In truth my initial short list contained 11 of the 26 runners which underlines how potentially competitive the race is.
Turbulence made a good handicap debut when a 1 length 3rd of 13 here over a mile. Should stay today’s extra 2 furlongs and although he’s 2lb higher now remains on a competitive mark. Yard going through a quiet spell though which is a slight negative to his chance.
Band Of Outlaws made an encouraging first start from a 645-day absence when a 2 ¼ length 3rd of 15 at Naas in May. A high-class juvenile hurdler two seasons back. Down to his last winning flat mark and looks nicely handicapped based on his high-class hurdles form.
He Knows No Fear is just 1lb higher than when winning a 1m 1f handicap at Leopardstown in June. The 4-year-old was doing his best work at the finish when 7th of 27 in the Irish Cambridgeshire and Osin Murphy is an eyecatching jockey booking. Mind you Osin will do very well to win this from stall 25.
Top-weight Saltonstall was a 4-length 4th of 27 in the Irish Cambridgeshire last time. Not handicapped out of this but must prove he stays 1m 2f. Stablemate Star Harbour was back in 5th that day. The 3-year-old won over the distance in the spring so must be respected back up in trip. Goes well on a sound surface and Colin Keane who rode him to success at Killarney in July is back in the saddle.
Crystal Black was 6th in the Irish Cambridgshire. Remains unexposed but does need to improve for the step up to 1m 2f.
Still Standing is back down to his last winning mark and wasn’t disgraced when 4 length 4th of 12 at Dundalk last time. The first time cheekpieces are applied but he may prefer more juice in the ground.
Lough Derg has been running in Listed/Group company without any success this season and the 3-year-old can’t be ruled out on his handicap debut off a fair mark of 101.
Mosala a winner over the distance at Leopardstown two starts back ran just as well if not slightly better when a 3 ½ length 3rd of 18 at Galway last time. Dropped 1lb since Galway and likely to give his running again.
Pineapple Express has been in tremendous form this season winning her fourth race of 2021 when successful in a handicap here over 1m 4f last month. Just 1lb higher here but she’s does seem at her best on soft ground so would be of more interest if the ground was to ease before post time.
Verdict: I like the chances of He Knows No Fear but stall 25 is slightly off-putting. Turbulence won’t be far away if he stays this longer trip. The strong pace will suit Band Of Outlaws who looks to be nicely handicapped. Star Harbour is reunited with Colin Keane and must have a good chance on ground that will suit.
Haydock
The rescheduled Sky Bet Sunday Series meeting at Haydock has attracted some more big fields for its seven races and you can watch all seven on ITV 4 this afternoon. The going is likely to be on the fast side of good for the meeting
4:10 – The likely strong pace should suit Global Humor who was a 1 length 4th of 10 over C&D 8-days ago. Modular Magic looked a handicap sprinter worth following when making all to beat 16 rivals at Musselburgh two starts back but must bounce back from a poor effort at Sandown last time. Albeit he probably didn’t like the softer ground last time.
Verdict: Global Humor will be doing his best work at the finish but I just prefer the claims of Modular Magic back on quick ground
4:35 – The inconsistent Manigordo couldn’t get into the race over C&D last week but he had shaped with promise on his previous two starts and should be suited by the step back into Class 4 company here and the forecast strong gallop. Ancient Times returned to winning ways at Epsom 13-days ago and the 3-year-old shouldn’t be far away again off just 3lb higher. Previous C&D winner Macho Pride wasn’t beaten far here over 5f 8-days ago and will be better suited by the return to 6f. Lezardrieux showed quick ground held no terrors for him when winning at Catterick last time. Nudged up 2lb for that success but is another in with a chance. Stablemate Tommy Taylor made a promising debut for the yard when 2nd of 8 at Carlisle last month. The 7-year-old’s losing run does go back nearly four years but he’s a well handicapped horse when all the cards fall right. Troubador is another who has been sliding down the weights and the 4-year-old put In a better effort in the first time blinkers when a 2 ¾ length 6th of 16 in the Great St Wilfrid consolation race last time. Prince Of Abington was doing his best work at the finish when a 1 length 3rd of 9 over 5f at Newmarket 15-days ago and will be better suited by a return to 6f.
Verdict: I loath to leave out Manigordo back down in class. The pace of the race seems likely to suit Prince Of Abington who shouldn’t be far away back at 6f.
5:00 – Trainer Clive Cox has his horses in great form and he’s also 4-16 +3.24 with his 2-year-olds at Haydock. He runs Whoputfiftyinyou who makes his racecourse debut in this 6f maiden race for newcomers.
5:30 – Bearcardi ran up to his best when ¾ length 3rd of 6 at Carlisle 17-days ago and is likley to be on the premises again. Mystery Fox was a respectable 5th of 14 on his first start at 7f last time and should better now stepped into nursery company for the first time. International Boy is an eight-race maiden but should be more competitive back in nursery company. Sir Min ran with credit on his first start for new trainer Charlie Fellowes when 2nd of 6 in a Pontefract nursery 9-days ago. The step back up 7f will suit and he goes well on quick ground. Exminster won a Redcar maiden on his racecourse debut before running well under a 6lb penalty at Ripon last time. Should be able to be competitive in handicap company for a yard who had two winners here at the last meeting. St Andrew’s Castle improved on his Ayr racecourse debut win when a 1 ¼ length 4th of 16 under a 6lb penalty at Thirsk last month. He was doing his best work at the finish of the 6f trip so should be suited by the step up to 7f for his nursery debut.
Verdict: St Andrew’s Castle should be suited by the step up to 7f on his bursary debut. However, It’s another nursery debutant that I like most and its Exminster.
6:00 – Arabian Romance goes well on a sound surface. A winner at Leicester two starts back she showed she remained in form when 5th of 12 at York last time. The return to a mile should suit her and she should go well again in a slightly easier race. Libby Ami is at the other end of the handicap to Arabian Romance. She made a winning start for new trainer Grant Tuer when successful at Carlisle last month. The filly improved further when a neck 3rd of 13 at Newcastle 6-days ago. Same mark here and the drop back to mile shouldn’t be too much of a problem for her.
Verdict: Libby Ami remains on a competitive mark but preference here is for Arabian Romance who ran well in a 7f handicap at the Ebor Festival and shaped like a return to mile will suit.
6:25 – Cadeau D’Or took advantage of a drop back in Class 5 company when winning at Ffos Las last time. Up 2lb and in a higher class today but should remain competitive. Six Strings has placed on his last seven starts and showed he remains in form when a ½ length 3rd of 10 at Pontefract 9-days ago. Goes well on quick ground and should be in the mix again without quite winning. Strawman completed the hat trick when winning at Ripon 12 -days ago. The quick ground has suited her and although she’s now 2lb higher she won’t be far again. Liberation Point showed improved form to get off the mark on his first outing since switching to Michael Appleby when winning a Ripon maiden last month. That was his first start for 11 months and he’s interesting on his handicap debut. Steps up to 1m 2f for his handicap debut and there’s a good chance he will stay it. Silver Gunn put a career best when winning over today’s trip on the last Sunday Series meeting at Sandown three weeks ago. He’s up 4lb for that success but looks to be progressing and still be ahead of the handicapper.
Verdict: Handicap debutant Liberation Point is respected as is Silver Gunn who could follow up his recent Sandown success
6:55 – This 2m handicap looks the most competitive on the card with five last time out winners among the 13 runners.
Emaraty Hero can race off the same mark as when winning a 1m 4f apprentice handicap last Sunday. Steps up 4f here but looks he will stay and is ahead of his mark if he does. Snowalot won at Goodwood over 1m 6f last time. The 4-year-old is up 4lb for that win but is another who could improve for the step up to 2m. Teqany comes into the race after wins over 2m/2m 1f at Chepstow and Pontefract. No stamina concerns for the 7-year-old who should be in the mix but is vulnerable to any less exposed types here. Land Of Winter is consistent in staying handicaps like this and made most to win at Ripon last month. Up 2lb but another in with a chance although it won’t be as easy to dictate the pace here. Goobinator is up 4lb for winning over today’s trip at York 64-days ago. That was only his fourth start on the flat so there could be more to come from the 5-year-old. Nataleena was a good 2nd of 12 over 2m at York last Sunday. Prior to that she had won at Thirsk off 2lb lower. The mare stays well and is in great form but is another who’s vulnerable to any better handicapped rivals. Toronto was 1 ½ lengths behind Nataleena at Thirsk. That was the 4-year-old’s first start at 2m and he seemed to stay well enough. This is his first start for new trainer Charlie Fellowes but he looks to be on a mark he can win off. Clearance made an encouraging stable debut for Michael Blake when a ¾ length 2nd of 7 at Ffos Las 17-days ago. Can race off the same mark here and should go well again. Author’s Dream won a 2m handicap at Lingfield (good to soft) last August off 2lb lower. The 8-year-old set to strong a gallop, on his first start since finishing well beaten in last seasons Cesarewitch, when 5th of 12 at Newbury in April. That was a stronger race than this but its first run for 149-days and he races in the first time cheekpieces.
Verdict: Emaraty Hero is well in if staying today’s longer trip. Snowalot could improve for the step up to 2m and will like the quick ground. Goobinator remains on a competitive mark after his York win and the yard is among the winners.
Betting Advice:
Curragh
1:45 – 1pt win – Jon Riggens – 8/1 @ Bet365 and 1pt win – Lord Dudley – 12/1 @ Paddy Power & Betfair Sportsbook and 1pt win – Rough Diamond – 16/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
2:20 – 1pt win – Cayenne Pepper – 8/1 @ Bet365
2:55 – 1pt win – Mooneista – 11/1 @ Paddy Power & Betfair Sportsbook
3:30 – 1pt win – Discoveries – 9/1 @ Bet365 & Coral
4:05 – 2pts win – Native Trail – 7/2 @ Bet365 & Coral
4:40 – 1pt win – Baron Samedi – 11/2 @ Bet365 & Paddy Power
5:45 – 1pt win – Turbulence – 14/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes and Band Of Outlaws – 8/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
Cheers
John