Curragh Racecourse to host Ireland's first ever Good Friday meeting

History will be made at the Curragh as it hosts Ireland's first ever Good Friday meeting and there are eight eye-catching races on the card, including the Group Three Park Express Stakes and the Emerald Cup Handicap.

Read on for a preview of and tips for the Curragh card, brought to you by BOYLE Sports, who provide all the latest horse racing betting.

We begin with a two-year-olds’ five-furlong maiden (1.22). Coolmore’s first string is the Ryan Moore-ridden New Yorker, a No Nay Never colt out of a high class mare who won at this track at Group level. He ought to be very smart, but his stablemate Confucious cost the best part of 2,000,000 guineas at auction so should be one to watch later in the season, especially over longer trips. New Mexico should be competitive too, as could Santorini Storm.

Next is a fillies handicap over six furlongs (1.57). Staysound Susie has been going well for Andrew Slattery lately and looks competitive once again with seven-pound claimer Jimmy Dalton back in the saddle. Asdana could be a big player also, returning for the season on what should be a handy mark and she will handle the ground.

Race three is a Smullen Series three-year-old fillies 10-furlong maiden (2.32). Stellar Moment, Mistress Of Tyrone and Premier Princess are the only unraced ones in the mix, while Chasing Paradise and Chablis Rock both bring placing form from their two-year-old seasons. Mistress Of Tyrone could be handy with her promising pedigree, but Chasing Paradise is the one to beat.

The first of our feature races follows; the mile Group Three Park Express Stakes (3.07). With lots of prominent connections playing a strong hand in the race, this will be hard to judge. Juddmonte’s Faiyum won three of her four starts last term, while Coolmore run Moments Of Joy and Cameo, both juvenile winners. Amo Racing’s California Dreamer won recently on the all-weather while Spicy Margarita looks a likely improver. Faiyum, though, is reliable on soft ground and should take the beating.

A mile handicap is next (3.42). Doonethatgotaway drops back to a mile here, having been running over half a mile further lately, and could benefit from that. Calm The Jets is, as yet, unexposed, having only run once previously and could be a big danger if taking to this. Quatre Bras cannot be overlooked either after a strong performance at Naas in March.

Race six is the 10-furlong Emerald Cup Handicap (4.17). Eastwatch’s mark looks testing but he goes well on soft ground, so should factor. Ribeye looks competitive too but may be better for a place. Mocking won at the end of last season on this mark and could come further forward this term. He handles soft ground well and has gone well fresh in the past.

Second to last is a three-year-olds’ maiden run over a mile and a furlong (4.52). Five of the nine runners make their debuts here, which includes the Coolmore pair of Pendulum and Canary Island. The former is the first string, but his already applied blinkers are not promising. Canary Island, on the other hand, is a half brother to Derby Double winner Auguste Rodin and must be taken very seriously. Glyfada represents Donnacha O’Brien, whose yard is in excellent shape so far, and she could make an impact.

Finally, racing concludes with a mile and three quarter Stayers Trophy Race (5.27). Dallas Star and A Piece Of Heaven are the only two with a Flat run already under their belts this term, having both run to places on the all-weather. Genealogy is fit from a hurdling campaign and looks to be on an attractive Flat mark here and could be the winner.

Entry for Friday's card is free but you do need a ticket, and they can be downloaded here. 

Curragh selections - Friday:

1.22 - New Yorker 

1.57 - Asdana 

2.32 - Chasing Paradise 

3.07 - Faiyum 

3.42 - Quatre Bras 

4.17 - Mocking 

4.52 - Glyfada e/w 

5.27 - Genealogy