Horse Racing tips: Our 7 Friday flutters at the Curragh

The racing boffins at Timeform are all over the first day of the Irish Derby Festival.

Curragh betting tips

17:00 – My Mate Alfie
17:35 – Ylang Ylang
18:05 – Not Even Close
18:40 – Lygon Street
19:15 – Operatic Artist
19:50 – The Franchise
20:25 – Saturn

*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.

17:00 – My Mate Alfie

MY MATE ALFIE failed only narrowly to make a winning debut over C&D and can go one better now with improvement very much on the cards. Aidan O’Brien’s duo Mountain Bear and House of Aviz could emerge as the chief threats and can chase home Ger Lyons’s son of Dark Angel in that order.

17:35 – Ylang Ylang

A field of newcomers and YLANG YLANG stands out on paper being a very expensive daughter of Frankel. Stablemate Opera Singer is respected as well, along with Dollerina.

18:05 – Not Even Close

A stack to consider as you’d expect, with NOT EVEN CLOSE fancied to go well after a good run in a 3-y-o C&D handicap on 2000 Guineas day that worked out nicely. Vocal Studies and Limerick-winner Navagio are firmly in the mix also.

18:40 – Lygon Street

Any number to consider, but LYGON STREET should blossom over this sort of trip and in receipt of weight from most of these, he’s just about the most persuasive option. Votre Homme is going the right way and is feared, while Tudor City is dangerous with his reappearance behind him.

19:15 – Operatic Artist

The vote goes to OPERATIC ARTIST, who shaped well when third on her handicap debut at Leopardstown and almost certainly would’ve finished closer than she did at Limerick last time granted better luck-in-running. She is probably capable of better than her current mark implies and the likely strong pace here is expected to work in her favour. Dabana was in good form on the AW earlier this year and is second choice ahead of Imposing Supreme and Kodiac Prince.

19:50 – The Franchise

THE FRANCHISE shaped well (travelled strongly) when second in a maiden at Fairyhouse last time and he’s bred to get the longer trip, so he gets the tentative vote in what looks like a competitive affair on paper. Recent Leopardstown winner Semblance of Order could emerge as the main danger, although Roman Hands is one of several others for whom a case could be made.

20:25 – Saturn

SATURN has a tremendous pedigree and starts out in what might not be a strong maiden for the track, so she’s worth chancing to make a winning start before going on to better things. Ultra Fine is another notable newcomer and Kadeen is open to improvement after a mildly encouraging debut.

Curragh betting tips

17:00 – My Mate Alfie
17:35 – Ylang Ylang
18:05 – Not Even Close
18:40 – Lygon Street
19:15 – Operatic Artist
19:50 – The Franchise
20:25 – Saturn

*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change.

READ MORE

THE PADDY POWER GUIDE TO SAFER GAMBLING – EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW