30 runners at the Curragh for Europe's most valuable handicap

Sunday is the second day of the Curragh’s Autumn Racing Weekend and the eight-race card features the two Group races and the famous Irish Cesarewitch Handicap.

Read on for a full preview of the Curragh card, courtesy of Boyle Sports, who provide all the latest horse racing odds.

Our first race is a two-year-olds’ maiden run over a mile and a furlong (1.30). With five of the nine runners making their debuts here, there are too many uncertainties to know for sure the quality of animal we are dealing with here, but Aidan O’Brien’s colt Cape Cod should set the standard, having been beaten just three quarters of a length last time out at Punchestown. With an entry for next year’s Irish 2,000 Guineas, he must be well thought of at home too. Dermot Weld’s Kalir holds an entry for the same race, though, and should enter calculations for at least a place.

Another maiden for two-year-olds follows, this time over seven furlongs (2.05). The Coolmore filly White Sand Beach was very promising on debut, beaten just half a length over a mile, and she should factor again here, down in trip. Jessica Harrington’s Suspicious Mindz, though, has already been placed at Listed level and could be the one to beat here, given that he is the most experienced and has been gelded since we last saw him at Roscommon.

The first of the Group races is next; the Group Three Weld Park Stakes for two-year-old fillies over seven furlongs (2.37). This is a hot looking race with plenty of talent among the field of nine. Joseph O’Brien’s Zous And Me impressed when winning on debut at Galway, while Ger Lyons’ Smexy is becoming a talent having already placed at this level and won since. Kensington Lane finished a huge five lengths ahead of the field last time at Gowtan park, but Joseph Murphy’s Pivotal Attack is currently the top rated.

Race four is the six-furlong Group Three Renaissance Stakes (3.12). Tim Easterby’s Art Poer, a Curragh specialist, returns to attempt a third win of this race, having done so in 2021 and 2022, but at eight years old now, he may be vulnerable to younger models. Verpertilio should be worth considering, having won a Listed race over course and distance this year and, having last been seen finishing second of 12 at Naas in the Group Three Ballyogan Stakes, she could win today.

A seven-furlong nursery handicap follows (3.47). Topping the weights is Which Wolf Wins, but this may be a tough ask, carrying over 10 stone. Sanctijude is useful type who was last seen over this trip at Galway, finishing well for a close second of seven and she must be taken seriously. She might have to watch out for Venetian Star in first-time blinkers, though.

The marathon Irish Cesarewitch is next, run over two miles and a furlong (4.22). We have a maximum field of 30 runners, making this a hard race to judge due to so many variables.

Donnacha O’Brien’s Happy Pharoah has had a very productive season, winning three from six starts, and could get involved at the finish here, despite carrying a seven-pound penalty. 12-year-old veteran Lord Erskine should not be overlooked either, fit from a successful hurdling campaign and a winner of his latest Flat race in July.

The penultimate race is a six-furlong maiden for horses aged three and older (4.57). Ger Lyons’ Washington Street makes the most appeal here, having run well when last seen at this track in August, finishing third of 15. He can act on today’s ground and has major claims. Likely to be contesting him in the closing stages, though, is Glory To Be, who wears cheekpieces for the first time here.

Concluding the meeting is a mile and a quarter QR handicap (5.30). Dermot Weld’s Tilani might be in with a chance, given seven pounds by his rider, while Peter McCreery’s Brewel Hill should have now come down to a workable mark, and also is given weight by his rider. This might, though, prove to be Alfalfa’s time to shine, another given weight by his rider in addition to a new low mark, and he is proven on any ground.

Curragh selections - Sunday:

1.30 - Cape Cod 

2.05 - Suspicious Mindz 

2.37 - Kensington Lane 

3.12 - Vespertilio 

3.47 - Sanctijude 

4.22 - Lord Erskine e/w 

4.57 - Washington Street 

5.30 - Alfalfa