Horse Racing Tips: Frank Hickey’s best antepost bets at the Curragh on Sunday

Top trader Frank Hickey with his picks for 1,000 Guineas day on Sunday for this Irish Classic weekend.

*Odds quoted on the widget are Future Racing/Antepost prices which means that if your selection does not run in the race for whatever reason – you will lose your stake under traditional Antepost rules.

14:05 – Sir Lamorak

Sir Lamorak should handle the ground as he ran okay here in a seven furlong maiden on heavy ground last November. He won hits maiden at Dundalk in March and won on his handicap debut off 85 at Leopardstown in a decent time.

He carried 9st 7lbs and won in 2m10.73s, while in the previous race Balshoi Ballet carried 9st 5lbs when winning the Ballysax Stakes in 2m11.61s. His mark went up to 99, but he is almost certainly capable of winning a Group race.

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14:40 – Helvic Dream

This could be a very small field come final declarations with Aidan O’Brien having seven of the 15 entries. Love is the antepost favourite and she’s a very likely runner, but heavy ground would be a small concern, as her three wins last season were all on good ground and never run on slower than good to soft.

Broome has won three on the bounce this season at Listed, Group 3 and Group 2 level and going back into Group 1 company is the obvious next step. He should handle the ground and would be a big danger to Love if he takes his place and the ground is testing.

If I was having a bet at this stage, I would chance Helvic Dream each-way at the prices. I’m not saying he will win and has finished behind Broome on all three starts this season but he has been getting closer to him with every start. Heavy ground would be ideal for him and with the field likely to cut up, he looks a fair each-way play.

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15:15 – Pretty Gorgeous

Fev Rover is the most solid play at this stage after a very good run when third in the English Guineas. Testing ground will suit her, as she won a Group 2 in France on soft and was a fair fourth in the Boussac when getting impeded. She looks very solid.

Pretty Gorgeous was very solid last season, winning three of her five starts, including the Group 2 Debutante Stakes and Group 1 Fillies Mile. She was also second in the Moyglare Stakes on good ground.

Rain is a positive and while she is conceding a fitness advantage, she looked a proper Group 1 filly last season and if she’s anywhere near her best, she could take plenty of beating.

I wouldn’t back Joan Of Arc as she is flattered by being favourite at this stage, as it is more by default (race isn’t very deep with quality)  than what she has achieved to date.

Frank Hickey’s Sunday tips at Curragh:

14:05 – Sir Lamorak
14:40 – Helvic Dream
15:15 – Pretty Gorgeous

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