Curragh 09 October 2011

Going: Soft (Round: Yielding to Soft)
 
 

All Racecards within one PDF

Instructions

1

14:15 Curragh (IRE) (2YO only)

Manguard Plus European Breeders Fund Maiden

1m

Winner €10,350 - 19 ran

No.
(Draw)
Form
Horse
Age / Wt / OR
Jockey / Trainer
Form Snapshot

With Johnny Murtagh booked to ride, TAKAR looks to be the most fancied of John Oxx's four runners and he gets the vote to make a winning debut. A beautifully-bred son of Oratorio, he should have no problems with this 1m trip and will no doubt be fit enough to do himself justice. There wasn't much to choose between Golden Hill (fourth) and Zalantoun (sixth) at Gowran last month and they are likely to be closely matched again, while the expensively bought I Have A Dream is possibly the best of Aidan O'Brien's chances with son, Joseph, on top. Qasser and Time Of My Life are a couple of others to throw into the mix.

2

14:45 Curragh (IRE) (Class 1) (2YO only)

Lanwades & Staffordstown Studs Stakes (Fillies' Listed)

1m

Winner €26,000 - 10 ran

No.
(Draw)
Form
Horse
Age / Wt / OR
Jockey / Trainer
Form Snapshot

SWERVE ran with promise when fourth here on debut and built upon that effort with a facile victory over 6f at Listowel last month, in the process demonstrating her effectiveness on slow ground. Providing her stamina holds out over this longer trip, Dermot Weld's charge is expected to go very well. The main danger appears to be Homecoming Queen, who rattled the crossbar in a 7f Group 3 here last month, hinting this longer trip would suit. French Quebec has a little to find with the principals on these terms but may be capable of landing some place money nevertheless.

3

15:15 Curragh (IRE) (3YO plus)

Stephen Quirke Memorial Apprentice Handicap (50-85)

1m

Winner €6,900 - 18 ran

No.
(Draw)
Form
Horse
Age / Wt / OR
Jockey / Trainer
Form Snapshot

SUNSET BEAUTY can be forgiven her defeat over a furlong shorter here as she lost her place at a vital point in the race before staying on nicely enough. Jim Bolger's filly has placed form over further than this so should have no problem staying and is preferred to Jills Ballet, who followed up a Cosy win at Cork with success here and has just a 3lb rise to contend with. Master Melody ran creditably enough at Listowel last time and is respected, as is Roscommon runner-up Balladiene.

4

15:45 Curragh (IRE) (Class 1) (3YO plus)

Go Racing In Kildare Waterford Testimonial Stakes (Listed)

6f

Winner €26,000 - 14 ran

No.
(Draw)
Form
Horse
Age / Wt / OR
Jockey / Trainer
Form Snapshot

Improving three-year-olds Empowering and Seeharn look sure to make their presence felt, while it would be folly to rule out Maarek, who had the beating of Cheviot, Blue Dahlia and Simla Sunset when impressively taking a C&D handicap on heavy ground last month. However, the vote goes to David Elsworth's raider ETON RIFLES, who has really taken his form to a new level this autumn and found only Our Jonathan too good in the Ayr Gold Cup last time (Croisultan seventh). He looks a Listed winner waiting to happen and the ground will suit.

5

16:15 Curragh (IRE) (3YO plus)

Hacketts Bookmakers Irish Cesarewitch

2m

Winner €38,399 - 19 ran

No.
Form
Horse
Age / Wt / OR
Jockey / Trainer
Form Snapshot

John Oxx won this race in 2003 with the three-year-old Zimbabwe and has two likely sorts here, with Killarney second Dimona and dual course winner Minsk. Both merit respect, but preference is for MUCH ACCLAIMED, who had Asiya, Kalann and Cry For The Moon behind when landing a second course victory in a row and followed up with a convincing win over timber. Fosters Cross ran well twice at Galway and a return to that form could put him in the mix.

6

16:50 Curragh (IRE) (3YO plus)

Mongey Communications European Breeders Fund Fillies Maiden

1m 1f

Winner €7,936 - 19 ran

No.
(Draw)
Form
Horse
Age / Wt / OR
Jockey / Trainer
Form Snapshot

AZORES stands out like a beacon following two highly creditable efforts in defeat. Her latest odds-on third was slightly disappointment in light of her promising debut second to Sapphire Pendant at Cork but there should be more to come and this looks a decent opportunity. Dermot Weld has a strong chance with Eva's Time but she's a bit more exposed than the selection. Cnocan Diva put in an improved effort here last time and she, too, must be accorded respect.

7

17:20 Curragh (IRE) (Class 1) (3YO plus)

Go Racing In Kildare Finale Stakes (Listed)

1m 4f

Winner €26,000 - 13 ran

No.
(Draw)
Form
Horse
Age / Wt / OR
Jockey / Trainer
Form Snapshot

Fred Winter heroine What A Charm looks a solid prospect for each-way backers having landed a Listed race over this trip on slow ground in September with Celtic Soprano, Kissable, Swampfire and Cape Of Good Grace all behind. However, the first-named may struggle to give so much weight to Dermot Weld's filly SAPPHIRE, who arguably sets the form standard based on her course second in Group 2 company last month and carries a featherweight in receipt of both age and sex allowances. It is worth chancing her stamina holds out over this longer trip. Noble Prince was another that was successful at the Cheltenham Festival in March and he shouldn't be underestimated back on the Flat.

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