Preview of Saturday's action at the Curragh
A view of racing at the Curragh Racecourse last week. There is more top class action at the venue again on Saturday Photo: ©INPHO/Tom Maher
Racing returns to The Curragh on Saturday, with seven Flat races making up a high-class card which includes two Group 3 races.
The first of the races takes place at 1:45pm and the action runs all the way through until 5:45. The going as of Friday was GOOD, good to firm in places with Aidan O’Brien, Henry De Bromhead and Willie Mullins all having runners throughout the meeting.
Cloudy skies will greet their arrival, but no rain is forecast for the day and a lively crowd will be expected for the third of four FBD Hotels & Resorts Saturday Series events taking place this August.
Read below to find out the latest horse racing odds and tips from Saturday’s meeting at The Curragh.
Qatar Racing And Equestrian Club Irish European Breeders Fund Juvenile Sprint Stakes (Listed) The opening contest is one for two-year-old runners, with the Listed race taking place over a distance of 5f. Having won at Down Royal in June, a consistent series of placings for Shamrock Breeze in six races this season offers an appealing option for the first race.
FBD Hotels And Resorts Killashee Hotel Handicap A slightly longer distance of 6f awaits the nine runners for the first handicap of the afternoon. Despite advancing years, Laugh A Minute has won this season and is back to a lower mark so could go well among a field of much younger horses.
Irish European Breeders Fund Median Sires Series Maiden Another 6f distance sees a far larger field with 19 runners presenting an open market for punters. With a C&D second under his belt, Distant Seas will likely set off as favourite, but one to watch out for in the betting will be debutant Fiona Maccoul as half-sister to several winners.
Download The New Tote App Nursery Handicap A 6f distance awaits the 12 runners in the fourth race of the day for 2yo horses. As favourite, Snapdragon will have Aidan O’Brien confident under the stewardship of Ryan Moore, but his son JP O’Brien’s Girl Like You could turn up on what is a handicap debut.
Shoda Market Cafe Royal Whip Stakes (Group 3) A longer trip will be presented to the runners for this Group 3 race, which has a top prize of €32,450 for the winner. Despite a tough run in Royal Ascot’s Hardwicke Stakes, Continuous will likely set off as odds-on but, for an each-way bet, C&D winner Trustyourinstinct is an interesting option.
Comer Group International Irish St. Leger Trial Stakes (Group 3) With the St. Leger taking place at Doncaster next month, this race will be a key indicator as to form for the Doncaster showpiece, which is the final leg of British racing’s Triple Crown.
The eye-catching runner in this race is Absurde, who won the Ebor at York last summer before a win over hurdles at the Cheltenham Festival this year. However, a seasonal debut leaves unknowns for Willie Mullins which could be capitalised upon by Grosvenor Square for Aidan O’Brien.
Tote.ie Handicap (47-65) A large field of 33 runners will take to this next handicap race, with a 7f trip open to 3yo+ horses. With such a wide-field there are plenty of options and with a win under his belt last month, Gosford has the credentials to go well again for trainer Edward Lynam.
Tote, Never Beaten By SP Handicap (47-75) For the final race of the afternoon, another large field will take to the start for a 6f race. Having won at Gowran Park in June, Summer Snow backed this up with a third place at Leopardstown last month and is moving in the right direction.
Selections - odds courtesy of BoyleSports
1:45: Shamrock Breeze - 4/1
2:15: Laugh A Minute - 25/1 (E/W)
2:50: Fiona Maccoul - 7/1
3:25: Girl Like You - 8/1
4:00: Trustyourinstinct - 5/1
4:35: Grosvenor Square - 5/4
5:10: Gosford - 10/1
5:25: Summer Snow - 20/1
