Sunday Curragh Racing Tips and Preview by Dave Stevos
Show Stealer ran a cracker for us in the Portland at Doncaster on Saturday. Cameron Noble gave her a great ride but she just had too much ground to make up. Still, a place at 40s was a decent result but unfortunately it was downhill after that. Breton Rock ran a blinder, just missing out on 2nd. Neither of my Ballydoyle selections made an impact and we got Logician very wrong. He looks a classy horse, even if it was one of the weakest St Legers in living memory. Dave Stevos has had a look at the Champions Weekend Day 2 card. Check out his Sunday Curragh racing tips below…
Curragh Sunday Racing Tips: 2.25 Flying Five Stakes (Group 1)
The first Group 1 race on the card at the Curragh on Sunday is the Flying Five. A dozen will go to post for this 400k contest and Soffia is all the rage for Lynam and McDonagh. This filly has progressed at a rate of knots this season. She has won at Listed, Group 3 and Group 2 level on her last three starts and she is 9/4 to add a Group 1. Her last win here was seriously impressive but in hindsight, perhaps it wasn’t the strongest race.
I prefer the chances of English raider Houtzen here. This 5yo mare was a quality performer in Australia, winning a couple of Group 3s over 6f and a Listed handicap at 5f. She ran a huge race when just failing to reel in Battaash at Goodwood, missing out by 0.75L. This is a stronger race, but with Colin Keane booked and ground to suit, Houtzen should be in the shake up.
CURRAGH SUNDAY RACING TIPS: HOUTZEN E/W @ 7/1 NB
Curragh Preview Sunday: 2.25 – Moyglare Stud Stakes (Group 1)
This 2yo Group 1 for 2yo fillies has attracted 9 entries. My eye was instantly drawn to Jim Bolger’s Teofilo filly Assurance, but she will have to be very special to score here. She has the pedigree to be a Group 1 filly, but first time out this is a big ask. The favourite Albigna does look a bit special, but her form is nothing out of the ordinary. She has looked top class in both of her starts, but this is a big step up. At 13/8 she will have her supporters but I like one at a bigger price e/w.
At double figure odds, three race maiden Soul Search could go well for Lyons and Keane. This daughter of Zoffany has form figures of 233, but she has yet to be beaten more than a length. Her last two runs were on good and gd/yld. She ran one of her best races when 2nd on gd/fm on debut when she had Alpine Star nearly 2L behind. Love is 6/1 and Alpine Star beat her easy when they met. At odds of 11/1 Soul Search looks overpriced and she is the each way NAP of the day.
CURRAGH SUNDAY RACING TIPS: SOUL SEARCH E/W @ 11/1 NAP
Curragh Sunday Racing Tips: 3.35 – National Stakes (Group 1)
Pinatubo has swept all before him this season and he is a worthy 4/9 fav here. The son of Shamardal has answered every question asked of him so far. His winning margin has increased from 1.5L to 3.25L to 5L on his last 3 starts and his form is rock solid. The horse he beat into 2nd by 5L last time, Positive, won a G3 next time out. He had Lope Y Fernandez 10L back in 3rd and he is impossible to oppose here.
One that could outrun his odds is Geometrical for Bolger and Manning. This son of Dawn Approach is 1/4, his win coming on yielding at Gowran. He beat Mogul by 5L and that horse won a Group 2 at Leopardstown on Saturday, easily. He was only 1.75L behind Armory in the Futurity last time on yielding. I think there could be more to come from him on good to firm given his sire. Pinatubo is by far the most likely winner, but at 33/1 Geometrical could run into a place.
CURRAGH SUNDAY RACING TIPS: GEOMETRICAL E/W @ 33/1
Curragh Racing Preview: 4.10 – Irish St Leger (Group 1)
Just like the UK St Leger the trip is 14f for this G1, but it is open to older horses. 3yos have a poor record in the race, though Flag Of Honour bucked the trend last year. Ten contenders will line up at the start this year and I like the chances of Twilight Payment for Joseph O’Brien. This son of Teofilo beat Latrobe (10/1 here) fair and square last time off level weights.
They meet off the same terms here and given who has bought Twilight Payment, clearly he must be considered Melbourne Cup class. This colt has some quality form in the book on good to firm and he is fully effective on good too. Kevin Manning keeps the ride despite the change in yard and at 16/1, Twilight Payment represents good each way value.
