2023 Curragh and Haydock Ante-Post E/W Double – DS
2023 Curragh & Haydock Ante-Post E/W Double
Our decent recent run continued last weekend at Chester. Master Zoffany stayed on late just as I hoped and landed our e/w bets at 11/1. Our 16/1 e/w NB King Cabo was hammered into 10/3 and it was genuine money as he ran a blinder to finish 2nd. Skysail never figured and Nibras Angel found pattern company too hot on her first try at that level. This weekend we have multiple Group races, including G1 sprints at Haydock (Sprint Cup) and the Curragh (Flying Five). We’ll have a go at another ante-post e/w double, 2023 Curragh and Haydock selections are below.
3.35 Saturday – Haydock Sprint Cup Stakes (Group 1)
No prizes for guessing who we are backing here. We’ve been on Run To Freedom on his last two runs and I refuse to abandon him. On two of his last three starts at G1 level he has found just two horses too good. Kinross beat him into second in the Champions Sprint at Ascot and then Shaquille beat him at Newmarket in the July Cup.
His other G1 run this term came in the QEII Stakes at the Royal Meeting and while he finished 9th, he was only 5.5L behind the winner and 2.5L off fourth. Henry Candy’s sprinter has run once at Haydock, on his seasonal comeback in May. He finished last of four, 5L behind Creative Force. It wasn’t a terrible effort as he probably needed the run and he was a bit slowly away.
I’d imagine Henry Candy is probably targeting the Champions Sprint in October again with this fella. However, there is always a chance that it could come up soft or heavy at that meeting so he is likely to be doing his best while he has ground with good in the description.
Shaquille Fav
The favourite here is Shaquille and he has obvious claims. He had 1.5L to spare over Run To Freedom last time but on reflection, I think the margin could have been narrower. It seemed like Candy’s charge was looking to his right at Art Power who he had just passed around 1.5f out. Once he copped that Kinross and Shaquille were ahead of him on the far side, he picked up again and nailed Kinross, but he ran out of road before he could catch Shaquille.
2.5L separated Run To Freedom and Kinross in the Champions Sprint. At Royal Ascot in June there was 0.5L between them and last time, our selection finally got the better of that rival. I think he can uphold that form and I don’t understand how he is 20/1 and Kinross is around 7/1. At those odds, Run To Freedom has to be worth backing e/w.
2023 Curragh and Haydock Ante-Post Tip: Run To Freedom e/w @ 20/1
2.55 Sunday – Curragh Flying Five Stakes (Group 1)
After confirmations on Tuesday I was delighted to see that Get Ahead stood her ground. This is another horse we backed last time out and she ran far better than her finishing position of eighth might suggest.
First of all, she was drawn wide in 15 and the first four home were drawn 4, 6, 9 and 3. She was one of just two horses who came down the near side along with Aesop’s Fables. Unfortunately, that horse was hugely outclassed and he could only lead Get Ahead for 4 furlongs.
Rossa Ryan easily swept by that rival at the 2f pole but unfortunately, all the action was unfolding down the opposite side. She still ran on really well in the closing stages and she was only 3.75L behind the winner Live In the Dream at the line.
Pace To Aim At
This daughter of Showcasing is best when she has a strong pace to aim at. She can be a bit keen so when they go quick early it enables her to settle and then finish off with a right old rattle. Her last win came over 6f at Haydock in May but a furiously run five, which this should be, is ideal for her at this sort of level.
Last time out she finished within 2.75L of Highfield Princess, 2L of Bradsell and just over a length behind the likes of Makarova, Equality and the 117 rated Khaadem. They were all drawn a lot better than Get Ahead though and the first four horses mentioned above could re-oppose here.
Highfield Princess is 13/8, Bradsell is 3/1 and the Cox filly is 66/1. If Get Ahead settles early and gets some cover, she is more than capable of closing the 2.75l gap to the fav, granted a strong gallop. At the prices, back Get Ahead e/w at 66/1 and a small e/w double with Run To Freedom is also recommended.
