Horse Racing tips: Ruby Walsh’s 8 best bets at the Curragh on Saturday

It’s Derby Day and Ruby’s got a pick for every race on the card for you.

Ruby Walsh Curragh

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14:00 Make A Challenge

I thought MAKE A CHALLENGE was gone when he reappeared earlier this year at Cork and Naas, I thought he was just going to stay in the pack. But, he looked a lot better on his last start at the Curragh in May.

He ran really well here last month, finishing second behind Gustavus Weston. He’s definitely starting to find his form again and he’s worth a shout for Denis Hogan and James Doyle. He’s drawn high again, so he shouldn’t be crowded out in the pack.

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14:30 New Emerald Baby

John Murtagh’s NEW EMERALD BAY has a shout in this one and they’re using cheekpieces for the first time too. He ran well behind Create Belief at the Curragh in May over a mile, so the cheekpieces might bring out a little bit more of improvement. Create Belief was very good at Ascot, so New Emerald Bay’s run looks even more impressive now.

15:05 Castle Star

I’m in the CASTLE STAR camp, but I also like Cadamosto as an each-way play. I wouldn’t be surprised to see him beat Go Bears Go, who finished ahead of him at Ascot. Cadamosto looked rusty at Ascot, he dwelt in the stalls and there’s plenty of improvement in him. I’ve been really taken by Castle Star – who I believe will win – but Cadamosto is also worth looking at in terms of an each-way punt.

15:45 High Definition

I suppose HIGH DEFINITION is the one to beat but if you look at Mac Swiney, there is quite a trend in him. He was fifth on debut, then beat Wembley on his second start. He was ninth after that, then he won again. He was eighth behind Thunder Moon and then went on to beat One Ruler. He was then fourth before beating Poetic Flare. He seems to win, lose, then win again.

Last time out he was fourth in the Derby at Epsom, so he could bounce back here. That’s what the form says anyway! High Definition was set to go to Linfield, but had a blood abnormality. He was fourth in the Dante at York in May, but you can be assured he’ll be better at the Curragh on Saturday. That might be enough for him to win as there isn’t much between the others around him. I just can’t get away from High Definition!

16:20 Cadillac

Njord has a rating of 109 and his run behind Kinross was impressive, a lot of his form is handicap form it has to be said. Maybe he’s an improver, so fair play if he is! Willie Mullins runs True Self in this one, who was third behind Helvic Dream in her last start in a Group 1. She’d won in Saudi Arabia and at Flemington before that, she does like fast ground and is in good form too.

The one that really caught my eye was CADILLAC, who we haven’t seen since running in Keeneland last year, where he finished fourth at the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile. I reckon he’s a really good horse. I know he’s been missing for a while, but he was close to running in the Guineas. He could be a three-year-old to follow for the rest of the season.

16:50 Khartoum

Sinawann could be the one to go for and you could go each-way depending on his price. I thought KHARTOUM got outpaced in the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot on ground that he couldn’t handle as he was well beaten there.

Prior to that he looked really good at Naas, beating Visualisation – who was second to Foxes Tales at Ascot. Khartoum’s form is solid, and the ground was wrong for him in the Jersey. He could be an each-way shout.

17:25 Blue For You

I like Blue For You, who is ridden by Oisin James Orr. He had a pretty disappointing outing at Cork back in April behind Kyprios. Having said that, I’m not sure Dermot Weld’s horses were flying at the time.

He only had two runs as a two-year-old, but when you look at that second run at Galway – where Blue For You beat Wembley – it was really impressive. Wembley’s now rated 107 and Blue For You runs off 93. First time cheekpieces are being used too, so I’m on Blue For You.

17:55 Arcadian Sunrise

I fancy ARCADIAN SUNRISE. Not so much off its Flat form, but more off its jump form. His only win on the Flat was at Thurles last year, where Denis O’Regan rode. Arcadian Sunrise is rated 89 and having watched him over hurdles, he was very eye-catching. He’s a live player in the Galway Hurdle too. Arcadian Sunrise will be hard to beat here, but the danger could be my dad’s horse Dewcup!

Ruby Walsh’s tips summary:

14:00 Make A Challenge
14:30 New Emerald Baby
15:05 Castle Star
15:45 High Definition
16:20 Cadillac
16:50 Khartoum
17:25 Blue For You
17:55 Arcadian Sunrise

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