Curragh 20 July 2013

Going: Good to Firm
 
 

All Racecards within one PDF

Instructions

1

15:35 Curragh (IRE) (2YO only)

Darley European Breeders Fund Maiden

7f

Winner €11,385 - 11 ran

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

Ouija Board's duel with Alexander Goldrun for the Nassau at Goodwood is one of the most memorable races of the past 10 years and their offspring clash here. Juniper Tree is the first foal of the latter, but Joseph O'Brien sides with the experience of stablemate AUSTRALIA, who almost lived up to some glowing reports when getting touched off on his debut at this venue after losing lengths at the start. He holds third placed Kerkeni on that evidence, while newcomers Carla Bianca, Gorteo and Spring Focus add further interest to a traditionally hot maiden.

2

16:10 Curragh (IRE) (3YO plus)

Sycamore Lodge Equine Hospital European Breeders Fund Fillies Handicap

1m

Winner €16,900 - 9 ran

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

One True Love is admirably consistent and gained reward for a series of near misses when notching over 7f at Gowran on her penultimate start. Although narrowly touched off by Angela's Dream off over the same trip at Roscommon last time, she should benefit from the step up to this longer trip and could reverse form with that rival off 2lb better terms. Marginal preference, however, is for the hat-trick-seeking PEARL OF AFRICA, who got on top late in the day at Limerick last time and is a solid betting proposition over 1m.

3

16:40 Curragh (IRE) (Class 1) (2YO only)

Jebel Ali Racecourse & Stables Anglesey Stakes (Group 3)

6f 63y

Winner €39,000 - 7 ran

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

Oklahoma City was sold for a huge 675,000 guineas as a yearling and lost his maiden tag at Naas last time, with a first time visor appearing to do the trick. The superiority he displayed was eye-catching but JALLOTA has already been campaigned at the top level, with his fifth in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot followed up with a third in a Group 2 at Newmarket's July Meeting. It is hard to argue with that form and he gets the nod. Tarn sprang a surprise on her debut and her fillies' allowance can boost her chances.

4

17:10 Curragh (IRE) (Class 1) (3YO plus)

Boylesports.com Handicap

7f

Winner €13,651 - 12 ran

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

LIGHTNIN HOPKINS has really found his form of late, making amends for a narrow defeat at Naas by beating Bronte at Fairyhouse earlier this month, and he looks a horse on the upgrade at present. Highly tried as a two-year-old, he clearly enjoys decent ground and can make hay while the sun shines. Curragh debut winner Karamaya was tried in Group 1 company as a juvenile and although readily held on that occasion, she rounded off last season with a fair sixth in hot handicap behind Snow Queen at Naas and there should be more races in her this year. Similar sentiments also apply to Man Of Erin who hinted at a return to his best form when third here last time.

5

17:40 Curragh (IRE) (Class 1) (3YO plus)

Invesco Pension Consultants Minstrel Stakes (Group 3)

7f

Winner €40,950 - 5 ran

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

Ex-American DARWIN has yet to prove himself a Group-class performer on this side of the pond but it only looks a matter of time before he confirms his arrival on the scene at a higher level. Found a lovely introductory race on his Ballydoyle debut, he eased home in a three-runner contest from Fighter Squadron at Naas. He receives 12lb from the admirable Gordon Lord Byron which should suffice if he's to fulfil stable expectations. The Hogan topweight ran a stormer (4th) behind Lethal Force in the Diamond Jubilee Stakes and will expose any flaws in the selection with Jim Bolger's Leitir Mor next best.

6

18:15 Curragh (IRE) (Class 1) (3YO only)

Darley Irish Oaks (Fillies' Group 1)

1m 4f

Winner €232,000 - 7 ran

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

The UK raiders have won the past four renewals and the sequence can continue courtesy of TALENT. Despite landing the Pretty Polly at Newmarket, the daughter of New Approach went to Epsom as Ralph Beckett's second string but she showed a devastating turn of foot to dispose of stablemate Secret Gesture and she won't be beaten if repeating the level of that performance. Her compatriot Riposte stepped up on all known form to see off Just Pretending in the Ribblesdale, from which Alive Alive Oh, who was so impressive at Navan, was a late withdrawal. Venus De Milo has done nothing wrong, yet Joseph O'Brien prefers Just Pretending, while Alain de Royer-Dupre has booked Johnny Murtagh for Chicquita, who came closest to shedding her maiden tag when second in the Prix de Diane.

7

18:50 Curragh (IRE) (Class 1) (3YO plus)

Kilsaran International Handicap

1m 1f

Winner €13,651 - 7 ran

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

BELLE DE CRECY brings some useful maiden form to the table on her handicap debut and makes plenty of appeal having justified cramped odds of 4-6 when stepped up to 1m2f at Roscommon last time. The Rock Of Gibraltar filly fairly bolted up when giving useful hurdler Prima Vista a nine-and-a-half-length beating 12 days ago and another big performance looks assured off this mark of 90 for Johnny Murtagh. Treasure The Ridge reverts to the handicap ranks on the back of his maiden success at Clonmel, so expect him to be thereabouts along with course runner-up Eighteen Summers and Abbey Vale.

8

19:20 Curragh (IRE) (Class 1) (3YO plus)

Goffs Maiden

1m 2f

Winner €7,245 - 15 ran

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

Rebel Force offered plenty of encouragement when making the frame in a well-contested maiden here last September and is a force to be reckoned with if returning near to her peak. Recent match-practice, however, gives the nod to AL DESTOOR, who was a shade disappointing at Leopardstown and is preferred instead on the basis of his debut second to subsequent winner The Vatican here. Alkali and Orator have also shown enough promise to warrant consideration, with Kentucky Woman the pick of the debutants.

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