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

It’s day one of the Curragh’s prestigious Autumn Racing Weekend and today’s eight-race card features the Group Two Beresford Stakes and the highly valuable Goffs Million, worth as much as it’s named.

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

The first race of the meeting is a six-furlong two-year-olds’ maiden (1.25). There are three newcomers in the mix; Fox In Flight, Manton Bay and Mumhan, all of whom make plenty of appeal, but this will not be an easy debut with the likes of Coolmore’s Savile Row in contention. This son of No Nay Never improved for the application of headgear at Naas last time and could be expected to go better again here. Jessica Harrington’s filly Thenandnow will be a danger, though, stepping down in trip after a good display at Leopardstown last time, but White Smoke is the best prove n over course and distance and might be the one to beat.

Race two is a five-furlong handicap (2.00). The useful and consistent Gazelle d’Or is beginning to slip back down to her last winning mark, so could be involved in this context under Chris Hayes. Denis Hogan’s Nezeeh rarely runs a bad race, and ought to be finishing at the sharp end, especially given three pounds by rider Wayne Hassett. Sir Les Patterson made a very strong start to life in Ireland at this track over a furlong further earlier in the month and, starting on the same mark, looks to have a solid chance for Stephen Thorne.

The Group Two Beresford Stakes, a mile race for two-year-olds, is next (2.35). Only one of the five runners has not previously won a race; Joseph O’Brien’s Al Haarith, who was last seen finishing nearly three lengths behind the opposing Geryon over seven furlongs at this track. Geryon went on to be runner-up in the Group Two Irish Futurity at this track, making him the best qualified at this level. He has beaten all other runners, except for Shaihaan, who he hasn’t yet encountered. He should be more than capable of winning this.

Following is a seven-furlong handicap (3.10). Flaming Rib makes his stable debut for Ado McGuinness, having slipped down the weights to what should be an easily workable mark, while Monsieur Fudge is in a similar boat. The Amo Racing-owned gelding makes his first start for Stephen Thorne on the same mark as when only beaten half a length at Goodwood last time, and has Jack Kearney’s three pounds to boot.

The eagerly anticipated Goffs Million is race five (3.45), worth half a million to the winner. Joseph O’Brien’s Listentodwindblow and Jessica Harrington’s Bofa Beach are the least exposed, having run only once before. It is the latter whose form is strongest at present, having finished two lengths behind Coolmore’s Composing, who later became a dual Group level and looks to have an unshakeable claim here too.

A three-year-olds’ rated race over seven furlongs is next (4.20). John Feane’s Charasson is the top-rated at 90, having won well over six furlongs at this track in June, while Glen To Glen is marked just one point below him having come down from a handicap mark of 90 since a defeat over 10 furlongs last time. The Shane Foley-ridden Collecting Coin looks an important consideration, though, having never finished behind third place in four starts, and could be the winner here.

The afternoon’s penultimate race is the first division of a mile and a quarter maiden (4.55). Ger Lyons’ Juniper Sling could be involved, having gone well last time out at Roscommon over further, but infront of her that day was Simurgh, who is given a handy three pounds by Jamie Powell and could be our winner here.

Last of all is the second division (5.30). Joseph O’Brien’s Tswalu has proved expensive to follow so far this term, having placed on each of her six starts. She might have her day today, though, at a track she has gone well at before and she can handle some rain too. Willie Mullins’ Candleford Green looks a big danger, though, after a good reappearance at Naas over a mile in May, and is better bred for this trip.

Curragh selections - Saturday:

1.25 - White Smoke 

2.00 - Sir Les Patterson

2.35 - Geryon 

3.10 - Monsieur Fudge 

3.45 - Composing 

4.20 - Collecting Coin 

4.55 - Simurgh 

5.30 - Candleford Green