Curragh Racecourse: Preview and tips for Saturday’s eight-race card

Racing returns to the Curragh on Saturday afternoon for a high-class card of eight races, featuring the Group Two Irish Futurity Stakes and Debutante Stakes.

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

We start off with the two-year-olds in a seven-furlong maiden (1.42). Each of the 14 runners is a newcomer so this could turn out to be anyone’s race, but naturally Coolmore’s first string Circle Of Life will attract some attention. This Dubawi colt is a full brother to Group winner Never Ending Story and already has multiple Group level races himself, so must be liked at home. Although this wont be an easy win, he is the only one currently considered for Group One races later in the season so should be the best of the lot.

Next is a six-furlong maiden (2.17). Be Good Or Begone, Snowballs and Astute Power are the only newcomers here, with Snowballs looking like the best of them on paper. Desert Power was disappointing on his reappearance over the minimum trip at this track in July, but may bounce back to his usual better form on this sounder surface. Ger Lyons’ Washington Street could be the best of them, though, having placed over course and distance in June.

Race three is a mile and half fillies and mares’ handicap (2.52). It’s A Heartbeat is in handicap company for the first time here, having won over course and distance in a competitive maiden last time out, so she ought to be a factor. Fortuna Vera is just one pound above a mark which saw her finish runner-up over course and distance two starts ago, so she can be involved, but Beauparc is best over this trip and, given three pounds by Jack Kearney, could be the winner.

The Group Two Futurity Stakes is next; a seven-furlong race for two-year-olds (3.27). Of the five runners, three are winners previously; Constitution River, A Boy Named Susie and Geryon, though the former two are likely the better pair. Both are entered for the Group One Dewhurst and are considered smart types, but A Boy Named Susie gets the vote here having won so impressively in testing conditions at Killarney. Given easier going this time, he could get the better of Constitution River.

Following is the fillies’ equivalent race; the Group Two Debutante Stakes (4.02). Likely market leaders Composing and Suzie Songs both seek a hat-trick, though the former is the only one of them proven over the trip, whereas the latter steps up to seven furlongs for the first time. Yet to be given a rating, though, Suzie Songs has beaten fillies now rated higher than Composing and is better bred for this step up in trip. She could beat the proven filly.

Race six is a handicap run over a mile and a quarter (4.37). Jessica Harrington’s Spring Dance has proven to be useful by her maiden form and she could continue the good work in handicaps now, but hardened handicapper Autocrat might be the one to beat here, on a workable mark and given seven pounds by Nicola Burns.

The penultimate race is a maiden over a mile and a quarter (5.10). Six of the 10 runners have been seen before, the best of which on form being Jim Bolger’s Slaney Drive, who was runner-up last time at Leopardstown, but Coolmore’s first string Saratoga cannot be taken lightly. This colt has entries for three Group One races, so we can assume he has come on leaps and bounds from a decent sole juvenile start. Given Aidan O’Brien’s high strike rate with three-year-olds on turf, we can consider this the one to side with.

Finally, the afternoon’s action concludes with a five-furlong handicap (5.40). Clonmacash has been hovering on a consistent mark for the last five starts over longer trips. Back down to the minimum distance today, he can run well but ultimately might need this to take him further down the handicap. Cupola makes her stable debut for William Knight one pound lower down than her last start, and the change of scene could help her get to the front.

Curragh selections - Saturday:

1.42 - Circle Of Life 

2.17 - Washington Street 

2.52 - Beauparc 

3.27 - A Boy Named Susie

4.02 - Suzie Songs 

4.37 - Autocrat 

5.10 - Saratoga 

.5.40 - Cupola