Curragh 24 August 2013

Going: Good (Good to Firm in places Straight: Good)
 
 

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Instructions

1

14:00 Curragh (IRE) (2YO only)

Loder European Breeders Fund Fillies Race

7f

Winner €19,500 - 7 ran

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

It could pay to side with TERRIFIC representing the same trainer/jockey combination who won this contest 12 months ago. The Galileo filly left her C&D debut performance well behind when scoring gamely in first-time blinkers (worn again today) over 1m here and, with further improvement on the cards, she looks capable of defying a penalty. Little Fastnet has collected a couple of bronze medals over 5f and 6f and she should give another good account providing the application of cheekpieces doesn't have a negative effect, but Dermot Weld's nicely-bred newcomer Enterprising rates the bigger threat.

2

14:35 Curragh (IRE) (Class 1) (2YO only)

Irish Field Curragh Stakes (listed)

5f

Winner €26,000 - 10 ran

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

EXPEDITION has the first-time blinkers to help him settle into a rhythm and is expected to build on an encouraging debut win at Limerick in May. A winner over 7f here, the ran has thrown up two subsequent winners and connections clearly feel he has enough pace about him to successfully drop to the minimum distance. Come To Heel boasts a similar profile and she beat a useful yardstick and the reopposing Candy Apples on her Cork debut, while Celtic Man and Hurryupharriet will be thereabouts if running up to their respective ratings.

3

15:10 Curragh (IRE) (Class 1) (3YO plus)

Flying Five Stakes (group 3)

5f

Winner €39,000 - 12 ran

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

Two horses that have recently been touched off by Slade Power look the main dangers. HAMZA was denied over 6f last time when struggling to sustain his challenge in the final furlong, so this drop back in trip could put him in the mix, while Russian Soul gave an excellent account over C&D in June and picked up a Listed contest at Tipperary last time. Dutch Masterpiece steps up from handicaps and can continue his progression.

4

15:45 Curragh (IRE) (2YO only)

Tattersalls Ireland Super Auction Sale Stakes

6f 63y

Winner €61,250 - 17 ran

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

Focussed has shown improved form since blinkers have been fitted and backed up his 7f Galway victory when scoring over the same trip at Sligo. Rated 83 on official figures, he looks one of the main contenders if reproducing that level of form, in the retained headgear, over this shorter trip. Nevertheless, narrow preference is for the less exposed PIXIE HOLLOW, who showed plenty of speed when striking over 7f at Sligo and is unlikely to be fazed by a drop in distance. A reproduction of Vallado's recent Leopardstown effort would also see her involved at the finish.

5

16:20 Curragh (IRE) (Class 1) (2YO only)

Galileo European Breeders Fund Futurity Stakes (Group 2)

7f

Winner €59,999 - 5 ran

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

It was slightly disappointing to see WAR COMMAND lose his unbeaten record when beaten a length into third in the Phoenix Stakes here last time but it was by no means a disgrace and the manner in which he stayed on in the closing stages suggests returning to 7f (won his maiden over this trip in June) will prove fruitful. His stablemate Friendship is an obvious improver and can't be ignored but Exogenesis beat that rival at Leopardstown last month and has since landed the Tyros Stakes at Leopardstown. He looks the main threat, while market support for the unexposed Mustajeeb would have to be taken into account.

6

16:55 Curragh (IRE) (3YO plus)

Dublin Bay Cruises Handicap

6f

Winner €8,970 - 23 ran

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

Sassaway has enjoyed a productive year and made it four wins from her last six starts when notching a victory over C&D earlier in the month. Eamonn O'Connell's representative must deal with a 9lb rise, however, and may be vulnerable to something a little less exposed. Heuston is potentially well handicapped on his handicap debut and the fitting of a first-time hood could unlock some improvement, though marginal preference is for improving three-year-old RAMONE, a fellow handicap newcomer, for whom the booking of Johnny Murtagh (on board for victory at Leopardstown last time) is notable.

7

17:25 Curragh (IRE) (Class 1) (3YO plus)

Gain Irish St Leger Trial Stakes (group 3)

1m 6f

Winner €39,000 - 5 ran

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

ERNEST HEMINGWAY could prove difficult to beat representing an Aidan O'Brien stable going great guns at the moment. Group 3 victories over C&D and at Leopardstown (1m4f) prove he's a colt heading the right way and, having today's biggest danger Royal Diamond behind on both occasions mentioned, he gets the confident nod to make it three wins in a row. Johnny Murtagh's charge was only half-a-length behind last time, but he is 3lb worse off at the weights and needs to find improvement from somewhere, while Voleuse De Coeurs may have to settle for third place again.

8

17:55 Curragh (IRE) (3YO plus)

Loughwood Apprentice Handicap

1m 2f

Winner €7,245 - 7 ran

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

SHALAMAN benefits from a 2lb pull in the weights for his half-length defeat at the hands of Polished Rock at Leopardstown nine days ago and it would come as no surprise to see those placings reversed. The Oratorio gelding had been awarded a similar event at Killarney in the stewards' room the time before and was sent off a well-supported favourite last time. Jessica Harrington's charge came of age in no uncertain terms on that occasion, though, and cannot be dismissed, while Civil War is also noted on his seasonal/handicap bow.

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