Horse Racing Tips: Mick Fitzgerald’s Curragh calls on Irish Derby day

It's Irish Derby day at the Curragh and Mick is keen on Los Angeles in the big one.

Mick Fitzgerald’s Curragh Racing Tips

13:10 – Arabic Legend (each way)
13:40 – The Strikin Viking
14:15 – Ano Syra
14:50 – JM Jungle (each way)
15:25 – Atlantic Coast (each way)
16:05 – Los Angeles
16:40 – Cheers Again
17:15 – Kayhana

*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 – Arabic Legend (each way)

The Curragh on Sunday sees some pretty good racing and it kicks off with the Paddy Power From The Horse’s Mouth Podcast handicap. I’ve gone for a British-trained horse in Arabic Legend. He carries top weight but this horse ran okay in that Lingfield Derby trial, finishing 13 lengths back, but I don’t think that tells the whole story.

He’s a better horse over a shorter trip and drops back to 1m1f here on Good ground. Trainer Karl Burke had a really good Royal Ascot and I think this horse is a very live contender in this race. He finished second to Arabian Crown last year, that’s good form, and that was over 1m. I think this trip is perfect for him and he’s a really good each-way bet in the first.

13:40 – The Strikin Viking

Aiden O’Brien’s got a pretty good record in this and he’s got two darts at the board here. I’m going for another British-trained horse though in The Strikin Viking. Kevin Ryan trains this one who won nicely at York. It’s slightly different ground but he should be able to cope with it.

 

14:15 – Ano Syra

This is a sprint over 6f. Last year’s winner Commanche Falls is a short-enough favourite but hasn’t been in the same sort of form in 2024. I’m going to go against this horse with Ano Syra who’s really interesting.

You have to forgive a poor run last time but when last seen at the Curragh that 3rd behind Mitbaahy reads well now. The ground is similar to then, she receives 10lbs on Commanche Falls, and she actually finished in front of him when they both ran here in August last year.

14:50 – JM Jungle (each way)

The Rockingham is a traditional sprint handicap and lots of good horses have won this over the years. It’s interesting that John and Sean Quinn bring Jm Jungle over here and he’s the selection. He’s a pretty good each-way price and I’ll be taking advantage of that. He’s got some good form in some good-field handicaps and finished behind Equality at Musselburgh and ran really well up at York in a race won by Clarendon House over 5f.

15:25 – Atlantic Coast (each way)

I struggled with this race and I’m going to look for some each-way value. Azada faded tamely in the Irish 1,000 Guineas at the Curragh behind Fallen Angel and it will be interesting to see how she copes in here. I’m taking the three-year-old Colt Atlantic Coast as my selection as he’s a good each-way price.

I liked the way he finished his last race off at the Curragh in the Irish 2000 Guineas which has proven to be a very strong race. He was a beaten favourite on heavy ground at Leopardstown but back on this ground he could be value.

16:05 – Los Angeles

I think Los Angeles is the value in this race. Ambiente Friendly ran a hell of a race at Epsom and he looked like he was galloping all over City Of Troy for a minute. It will be interesting to see how Aidan O’Brien’s team play this but I really like Los Angeles as a horse.

He got himself a little bit warm in the preliminaries before the race so having a home game here at the Curragh will be more to his taste. If he’s able to contain himself in the build up I think he’s definitely a player.

16:40 – Cheers Again

I’m going for my old mate Paul Flynn’s Cheers Again here. He’s run some good races the last twice in good-field handicaps and I think the consistency is the key here. Only 1lb higher than the last time and I’m hoping this one gets it done for Flynner!

17:15 – Kayhana

I’m going for Kayhana in this one. The Dermot Weld-trained filly had a very good run behind State Actor last time. I’m hoping that form is going to get a boost earlier in the day and she’s the one for me.

 

Mick Fitzgerald’s Curragh Racing Tips

13:10 – Arabic Legend (each way)
13:40 – The Strikin Viking
14:15 – Ano Syra
14:50 – JM Jungle (each way)
15:25 – Atlantic Coast (each way)
16:05 – Los Angeles
16:40 – Cheers Again
17:15 – Kayhana

*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.

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