There is a quality afternoon offering from Ireland on Friday as the Curragh’s eight-race card includes a pair of Group 3 contests and a Listed event. Action gets underway from 1.00pm and concludes at 4.30pm from the Co Kildare circuit.
Dermot Weld’s Irish St Leger winner Search For A Song will attempt to repeat the feat in a C&D Trial for this year’s event and looks a strong chance. Our tipster takes you through the Curragh card and remember you can watch all the action via live streaming when logged into MansionBet.
1.00 – Irish European Breeders Fund Median Sires Series Maiden (7f)
This looks a glorious chance for John Murphy’s CHARTERHOUSE to put his nose in front after two very promising runs at Leopardstown. He was edged out by Masen on debut and the pair have since finished third and fourth respectively in the Group 3 Tyros Stakes at the Foxrock track behind a pair of Ballydoyle runners. Robbie Colgan’s mount sets a clear standard. Newcomer Kalu Pande for Joseph O’Brien is an each-way alternative at 16/1.
1.30 – Loder Irish European Breeders Fund Fillies Race (7f)
Ger Lyons’ filly Talacre is the only one with experience and, having twice finished second in as many starts, she holds strong claims. At odds-on, she may be vulnerable and Dermot Weld’s newcomer SHANDRA is selected. The Sea The Stars filly is nicely-bred, being related to some smart performers and it’s noted that she holds a Group 1 Moyglare Stud entry.
Tip: Shandra @ 9/2
2.00 – Holden Plant Rentals Curragh Stakes (Listed, 5f)
Frenetic will be short in the betting and blitzed her rivals for a C&D success at the Derby Meeting here in June from the front. Those same aggressive tactics have yielded successive defeats since here over 6f and at Naas over 5f, both at short prices. The drop in trip suits but the price is off-putting. If things go wrong for her then the consistent CHIEF LITTLE HAWK, a good fourth in the Molecomb at Goodwood last time, can pick up the pieces.
Tip: Chief Little Hawk @ 10/3
2.30 – Comer Group International Irish St Leger Trial Stakes (Group 3, 1m6f)
Dermot Weld’s SEARCH FOR A SONG returns to the scene of her standout performance when she won the Irish Leger last season over C&D. She was well held on reappearance here in June over shorter and then luckless in the Munster Oaks when slipping up. Here most recent run behind Magical when third in the Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup offered a big hint that a return to this trip will aid her and the daughter of Galileo is a strong fancy to account for improving Ballydoyle three-year-old Delphi.
Tip: Search For A Song @ 6/4
3.00 – Irish Field Celebrating 150 Years Royal Whip Stakes (Group 3, 1m2f)
Armory had LEO DE FURY behind him in the Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup here last time over C&D but, in truth, both were shadow boxing in a race Magical won as she pleased. They meet again now with a prize in their sights and Jessica Harrington’s charge is fancied to confirm the promise of his Group 2 win here earlier in the season with no Magical in his path. The Ballydoyle colt isn’t yet proven at this distance and Shane Foley’s mount will test his reserves.
Tip: Leo De Fury @ 11/4
3.30 – Big Picture Communications Maiden (1m2f)
A quick-fire double is possible here for the Harrington/Foley axis as GOLD MAZE leaves behind the helter-skelter of Derby action at the Curragh and at Epsom for a return to maiden company. Prior to those Classic exploits the son of Golden Horn was second in a Group 3 over C&D and on that form he’s going to be hard beat. There are certainly dangers lurking – Gauntlet and Daylight Come being two – but they’ll have to go some to stop the jolly.
Tip: Gold Maze @ 5/6
4.00 – Derek O’Sullivan Memorial Apprentice Handicap (1m)
As puzzling as an apprentice handicap with 18 runners should be; Galway winner Out On Friday isn’t done improving in all probability but has plenty more on his plate now. Jim Bolger’s LEGAL THRILLER put up her best showing to date on seasonal bow at Roscommon in June over 1m2f and this drop back to the mile should suit. A mark of 64 is within her compass and she should go well under a typically positive ride from Luke McAteer.
Tip: Legal Thriller @ 7/1
4.30 – Trm Kurasyn Handicap (5f)
Bahlwan arrives on the back of a career-best success over C&D but has more on now as he’s effectively 9lb higher today. Mi Esperanza won at Tipperary in June, a race in which POLLY DOUGLAS could only finish sixth after missing the break. Kieran Cotter’s mare has shaped well since, including when fourth at Navan last month and she’s down to a very workable mark now with Shane Kelly’s claim a further help.
Tip: Polly Douglas @ 9/1