Friday evening in front of the telly watching the racing sounds good doesn’t it?
It will be even better if we can bag a few winners for you! Let’s kick off in Ireland with their 2,000 Guineas card at the Curragh, wile the action on ITV in the UK comes from Newbury.
16:40 Curragh – Lough Cutra
This is a maiden for three-year-olds and I was drawn to Cabot Hills as this son of Gleneagles is out of Irish Oaks winner Peeping Fawn and is related to a very smart filly in September. This lad has had a couple of runs and it wouldn’t be the biggest surprise to see him improve as a three-year-old.
LOUGH CUTRA is the safe option in here though, he kept galloping when a 3/4L third in a Naas maiden over a mile and this step up to a mile and a quarter looks ideal.
17:10 Curragh – Ice Cold in Alex
There is a tight 6-furlong handicap up next and Verhoyen is a regular at this track having contested quite a few of these handicaps on a variety of grounds. He was a model of consistency last season, but for that reason he finds himself 11lbs higher than his last winning mark.
Ice Cold In Alex was behind Verhoyen last July at the track and enjoys a decent pull in the weights. Flash Gordon looks to have plenty on his plate with 10st to carry, but his trainer is flying so merits respect. At the prices I like ICE COLD IN ALEX as an each-way punt.
18:40 Curragh – Siskin
SISKIN is unbeaten in four starts and his trainer Ger Lyons is saying he has no worries about him staying now, whereas last year he was not so certain that he would. His form is solid, and it would be a great boost for Lyons if he were to win this.
He has to take on the Aidan O’Brien army though and that is never easy. Lope Y Fernandez came over for the Chesham at Royal Ascot with a big reputation and ran a good race to be second to the two-year-old star of last season Pinatubo.
He is a gorgeous horse who had the size to really grow into a better three-year-old. But, I would love to see Siskin win.
16:55 Newbury – Society Lion
This is a three-year-old only handicap and SOCIETY LION represents top connections, with Ryan Moore and Sir Michael Stoute teaming up. He was impressive when winning at Yarmouth in October and could just be the type his trainer excels with.
Into Faith is a massive price and if he was with a better-known trainer would be at least half his odds. He won a nice prize at Longchamp last year for David Menuisier and if we get some of the rain that’s around, he could be too big a price to let go unbacked each-way.
17:25 Newbury – Blue Mist
I was at Wolverhampton when Roger Charlton had a nice winner and his BLUE MIST looks to have been found a lovely opportunity here. He mixed it in some really competitive handicaps at Ascot and this looks ideal.
Jackstar had a good run at Newcastle, but keep an eye on a market moves for Spirit Warning as the Andrew Balding / David Probert combo is flying at the minute.
17:55 Newbury – Away He Goes
We have a 1m 4f handicap and Ryan Moore and Sir Michael Stoute team up for Laafy who has been well supported in lots of his runs, but has not yielded the expected results. He has had the severest cut of all though by being gelded and if that makes him more resolute, he may finally realise his potential.
One that I really like is AWAY HE GOES. His trainer Ismail Mohammed has been among the winners since the resumption and this lad looks progressive. They have stuck cheekpieces on him, so they mean business. Looks sure to at least hit the frame.
18:25 Newbury – Lunar Jet
Moll Davis finished fourth at Newcastle last week when having no luck in the run. However, I like one at a big price who finished behind Moll Davis at Newcastle.
LUNAR JET won twice last season, but more importantly is 2-2 at Newbury. He is versatile as regards the ground, but the track is the key to this one and that will do for me.
* Prices correct at publishing but are subject to change except on our snazzy new bet widget which is bang up to date.
Mick Fitzgerald tips summary:
16:40 Curragh – Lough Cutra
17:10 Curragh – Ice Cold in Alex
18:40 Curragh – Siskin
16:55 Newbury – Society Lion
17:25 Newbury – Blue Mist
17:55 Newbury – Away He Goes
18:25 Newbury – Lunar Jet
RECOMMENDED READING:
- Horse Racing tips: Irish 2,000 Guineas runner-by-runner guide to Friday’s Classic
- All the latest racing previews from Ireland and the UK are just a click away