Rory Delargy’s Curragh bets
13:30 – Dakota Blue
14:35 – Heavenly Power
15:05 – Makarova
15:40 – Lava Stream
16:15 – Shamida
16:50 – Lord Church
17:25 – Castanets
*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.
13:30 – Dakota Blue
You can knock his time figure but DAKOTA BLUE should improve from his first run when second at Tipperary. The race wasn’t run to suit a horse who was a little bit green and slowly away so I actually quite liked the time. He should come on a fair bit for that and I think he’s the most interesting.
14:35 – Heavenly Power
I’d love to see HEAVENLY POWER win in the race named after the late, great, David Power. He’s got a very good chance and is at the top of his game at the moment. He’s had three runs this season and has been heading in the right direction, he’ll be looking to peak here. A repeat of his last effort might be good enough to win this but there’s every reason to think he might be able to step forward another couple of lbs on that which will make him hard to beat. It would be the result everyone wants.
15:05 – Makarova
I wonder if Believing’s recent efforts might have taken the edge off her and her form is all on quick ground. The ground could soften at the Curragh which sways me from Believing to MAKAROVA who’ll appreciate any rain that falls.
15:40 – Lava Stream
There’s a few you can give chances to in this. LAVA STREAM is so progressive and was unlucky when second at Royal Ascot. She clearly stays and I give her a chance of getting her revenge on Port Fairy, I’d love to see another Group 1 winner in these colours. She’s settled well on her last couple of starts, has loads of ability and can erupt onto the stage in the Irish Oaks.
16:15 – Shamida
Vauban wasn’t disgraced last time and I can see him bouncing back but the 1m 6f Curragh Cup is where the progressive SHAMIDA can spring a little surprise if she’s ready for action on her seasonal debut. Despite her inexperience she showed tenacity and good finishing speed in the Irish St Leger trial. I get the impression that she will progress again from three to four. There’s a worry that she needs a run as she’s not been since October but there are other opportunities to find fitness if she needed it which they haven’t taken.
16:50 – Lord Church
He’s not flashy but Lord Church keeps getting the job done. Every time he steps up in trip he improves again and I fancy him to do so this time. He’s a horse that’s been hard for the handicapper to get a handle on but he’s matured. The handicapper went with 64 and the answer is probably closer to 90. He can pull off the magic trick again to land the four-timer, keeping the handicapper at arm’s length one more time.
17:25 – Castanets
CASTANETS will appreciate any rain and is the most obvious and likely winner here. There’s a few with a chance but my selection is the one with the most likeable profile. She’s unexposed, can take a step forward, and we can clap her home in the finale.
Rory Delargy’s Curragh bets
13:30 – Dakota Blue
14:00 – Powerful Lady
14:35 – Heavenly Power
15:05 – Makarova
15:40 – Lava Stream
16:15 – Shamida
16:50 – Lord Church
17:25 – Castanets
*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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