Curragh 25 June 2016

Going: Good to Yielding
 
 
Mostly Cloudy

Forecast: Mostly Cloudy
Temperature: 11.1° - 17.5°
Rainfall: 0.04mm
Wind: 13.7 mph NW

All Racecards within one PDF

Instructions

1

15:00 Curragh (IRE) (2YO only)

Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise European Breeders Fund Maiden

6f

Winner €10,147 - 14 ran

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

This maiden looks sure to throw up a number of future winners but the one who appeals most is INTELLIGENCE CROSS. Aidan O'Brien's runners often improve from their first to second starts and this colt could barely have gone any closer on his debut over C&D, losing out by a head. A place and two lengths behind the selection that day was Perfect Soldier and he should give another good account, while Navan runner-up Imagine If, Khukri, who represents last year's winning stable, and the beautifully-bred Pious Alexander are others to keep an eye on. It will be interesting to see how Whitecliffsofdover fares having cost $1,150,000, but the fact Ryan Moore opts to ride the selection looks a tip in itself.

2

15:35 Curragh (IRE) (3YO plus)

Paddy Power Handicap

1m

Winner €29,500 - 12 ran

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

The manner of JOHANN BACH's victory at Naas last month suggested that he was a potential Pattern company animal with much more to come, as he comfortably dispatched a decent looking field. Patrick Harney's charge looks more than capable of landing a contest such as this, and he has had this as a target since that triumph. The remarkably consistent Champagne Or Water could be on the premises once more with conditions to suit, while Ger Lyons' excellent season could continue with the unexposed Elusive Heights, whose form was given a boost when his Killarney conqueror Long Island Sound finished third in a Group 3 contest at Royal Ascot last week. Hasanour looks to be the pick of the Michael Halford trio.

3

16:05 Curragh (IRE) (3YO plus)

Dubai Duty Free Millenium Millionaire Celebration Stakes (Listed)

1m

Winner €29,500 - 10 ran

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

Plenty in with chances in a warm renewal and the verdict is for last year's winner SOVEREIGN DEBT. Dandy Nicholls' experienced campaigner could hardly have been more impressive when putting some four and three-quarter lengths between himself and Flight Risk last year and the versatile Dark Angel gelding can put all his experience to good use in his bid to lower the colours of the less exposed Foxtrot Charlie. Lining up in receipt of weight from his elders, Dermot Weld's charge appreciated the drop back to this distance when victorious at Leopardstown last time and won't be done improving yet. Cougar Mountain couldn't land a blow in the Group 1 Queen Anne Stakes at the Royal meeting but has much less on his plate here, so he joins Irish Lincolnshire winner Sruthan and last season's Irish Cambridgeshire scorer Hint of A Tint on the shortlist.

4

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

GAIN Railway Stakes (Group 2)

6f

Winner €67,850 - 8 ran

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

Aidan O'Brien bids to get within one of Vincent O'Brien's record of 14 winners in this race, with two credible contenders in Peace Envoy, who ran arguably a career best at Royal Ascot, and War Decree, a maiden winner on fast ground at Leopardstown. The former bids to bounce back after just a nine-day absence while the latter has to prove himself on a softer surface. Preference is for DREAM OF DREAMS, who improved for the extra furlong on his second outing at Haydock in an above-average maiden last month and is well worth this step up in class. Kevin Ryan has wasted no time in booking Pat Smullen which boosts his chances further. King Electric warrants respect on his success at Navan earlier this month having improved for 6f.

5

17:20 Curragh (IRE) (3YO only)

Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby (Group 1)

1m 4f

Winner €854,999 - 9 ran

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

HARZAND didn't enjoy the smoothest prep for the Epsom Derby but still came though with flying colours to make it 3-3 this season. Dermot Weld's charge accounted for Idaho (second) in the Ballysax over 1m2f and beat him by a longer margin in the English Classic over this longer trip last time. He thus rates the one they all have to beat. If there is a potential fly in the ointment it could be Derrinstown scorer Moonlight Magic, who didn't handle the track or ground when flopping behind the aforementioned pair at Epsom but could be an altogether different proposition on better ground.

6

18:00 Curragh (IRE) (4YO plus)

Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championship European Breeders Fund Handicap (60-100)

2m

Winner €17,528 - 13 ran

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

If the rain stays away then BOTANY BAY must be considered as a proverbial good thing for this competitive staying handicap. The four-year-old is still unexposed in this sphere, and the talented son of Galileo has the services of Ryan Moore to rely on once more. He found Order Of St George too hot to handle last time out, but travelled well here in May on ground that would have been soft enough behind eventual Ascot Stakes winner Jennies Jewel. Don Vincenzo travelled beautifully last time out and a repeat effort would put him on the premises, while Three Kingdoms, Abraham, Papa's Way and top-weight Mandatario are also entitled to enormous respect in what is a quality renewal.

7

18:30 Curragh (IRE) (3YO plus)

Dubai Duty Free Jumeirah Creekside Dash Stakes (Listed)

6f

Winner €28,026 - 9 ran

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

The most interesting aspect of this contest is the return of 2014 Sprint Cup winner G Force, who now runs for Adrian Keatley and the previous owners of Jet Setting after a failed spell at stud. The son of Tamayuz is entitled to improve plenty for the outing so preference is for JANE'S MEMORY, who improved plenty for her return at Chester when winning a Listed race against her own sex at Haydock last month and the daughter of Captain Rio could well improve again here. Bebhinn is still unexposed after just three starts and warrants respect, while the mercurial Maarek has been running well of late and will appreciate any extra rainfall.

8

19:00 Curragh (IRE) (3YO plus)

Dubai Duty Free Full Of Surprises Summer Fillies Handicap

7f

Winner €29,500 - 14 ran

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

HAZMIYRA looked a smart filly in the making when running out an impressive victor on her racecourse debut at Naas earlier in the season. There was a strong word for Dermot Weld's daughter of Pivotal beforehand and she is clearly held in high regard. Dolce Strega failed in her hat-trick bid at Royal Ascot last week but still ran well in defeat and was a Group Three winner here on her previous start. She can clearly make her presence felt, while wide-margin Gowran Park scorer Best Not Argue and the lightly-raced Queen Of Sicily are others worth noting.

Existing User?

Forgot your password?

New User?

Sign up using our simple one-page form and you'll be able to access free video form, tips and exclusive content straight away.