Timeform’s Curragh Racing Tips
13:10 – Shairnay
13:40 – Tunbridge Wells
14:15 – Commanche Falls
14:50 – Sturlasson
15:25 – Azada
16:05 – Ambiente Friendly
16:40 – State Actor
17:15 – Kayhana
17:50 – 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.
13:10 – SHARINAY
A bumper nine-race card on Irish Derby Day gets under way with the Paddy Power ‘From The Horse’s Mouth Podcast’, a nine-furlong handicap. SHARINAY showed improved form when runner-up to Chicago Critic (third in the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot next time) at Naas on his handicap debut in May and he can continue his progress with this longer trip to suit. He is taken to get the better of Formal Display, who remains with potential as he goes handicapping, while Soldier’s Empire could also be in the mix.
13:40 – TUNBRIDGE WELLS
TUNBRIDGE WELLS ran out an impressive winner when beating subsequent Queen Mary runner-up Mighty Eriu over course and distance here earlier this month so looks the one to beat in the Railway Stakes. Marble Hill winner Arizona Blaze is an obvious threat if fully recovered from his good third in the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot, while The Strikin Viking must be respected for Kevin Ryan having made all in a good time in a maiden at York.
14:15 – COMMANCHE FALLS
Michael Dods’ smart sprinter COMMANCHE FALLS looked on the way back when runner-up in this grade behind Believing at Haydock last time and he’s fancied to successfully concede weight all round and take this listed contest for the second year running. Ano Syra ran a shocker at Cork last time but is very dangerous on these terms if reproducing the form of her close third in the Greenlands Stakes over course and distance last month, with three-year-old My Mate Alfie another to consider.
14:50 – STURLASSON
Unsurprisingly claims can be made for a host in the Rockingham, with 17 lining up in this five-furlong handicap, including STURLASSON, who ran a cracker when chasing home another upwardly mobile sort in the 3-y-o “Dash” at Epsom at the start of the month and, again partnered by Oisin Murphy for Kieran Cotter, he very much appeals as the type who could raise his game further still. The thriving Kendall Roy, potentially well-handicapped Lethal Nymph and last year’s winner Harry’s Hill are others to consider. Little Queenie is another worth a second look.
15:25 – AZADA
Dropping into listed company now, Dermot Weld’s filly AZADA has much less on her plate than when sixth in the Irish 1000 Guineas here last time so is fancied to resume winning ways at the chief expense of course winner Dunum who boasts smart form from handicaps and can also play a big part. Last month’s Athasi Stakes runner-up You Send Me and Ballydoyle colt Mundi, a twice-raced brother to Churchill, appeal as the pick of the rest for minor honours.
16:05 – AMBIENTE FRIENDLY
AMBIENTE FRIENDLY was beaten only by a potential superstar in the Derby at Epsom and with City of Troy waiting for next weekend’s Eclipse instead, James Fanshawe’s colt should take all the beating. Los Angeles fared best of those ridden up with the pace when over three lengths behind the selection that day so it wouldn’t surprise if he bridged the gap. Matsuri is taking a huge step up in class but he could hardly have created a better impression when hacking up by eight lengths under a penalty in a novice at Leicester and is the potential fly in the ointment.
16:40 – STATE ACTOR
Plenty are in with a shout but Bill Farrell’s progressive four-year-old STATE ACTOR rates just the pick of these weights and with the prospect of better to come he can complete a course-and-distance hat-trick having been a taking winner of another premier handicap here last month. Coeur d’Or heads the list of dangers on the back of his good sixth in the Hunt Cup at Royal Ascot, although Morse, Verhoyen, No More Porter and Casanova can all have a say too.
17:15 – KAYHANA
Dermot Weld’s runner KAYHANA gets the nod to build on an encouraging comeback run over a mile here last month when runner-up to State Actor who could give that form a boost in the preceding contest. If anything, the drop to seven furlongs for this fillies’ handicap should be in her favour. Fast Tara has run two solid races this term and heads the dangers along with Coumshingaun and Talia who come here after wins at Listowel and Down Royal respectively.
17:50 – SATURN
Another premier handicap to end the card and the superbly-bred Niarchos Family colt SATURN can continue his progression for Jessica Harrington and defy the handicapper again after winning a similar contest over a longer trip here earlier in the month. The John Velazquez-ridden Carlo Bianconi definitely has a race in him off this sort of mark after his close third at Cork last time and is second choice ahead of Joseph O’Brien’s other runner Intellotto and Gavin Cromwell’s Pinot Gris.
Timeform’s Curragh Racing Tips
13:10 – Shairnay
13:40 – Tunbridge Wells
14:15 – Commanche Falls
14:50 – Sturlasson
15:25 – Azada
16:05 – Ambiente Friendly
16:40 – State Actor
17:15 – Kayhana
17:50 – 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.
GET TODAY’S TOP HORSE RACING TIPS HERE
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