Curragh Cup (Group 2)

The Curragh Cup is where I start off on this fine evening of racing at Ireland’s premier flat racing track. It’s a Group 2 affair that’s contested over a mile and six furlongs and I’ve taken a chance on last year’s Irish Derby winner LATROBE here. He wasn’t able to land a significant blow at Ascot last time however he stayed on well in tough conditions to finish fourth and he gave the impression he’s returning to form which he could well build on that here.

The main danger looks to be Aidan O’Brien’s Southern France who was slightly below par in the Hardwicke the last day, but ran a big race when second to Stradivarius at York on his penultimate outing.

WIN: LATROBE (5/2)

Airlie Stud Stakes (Group 2)

The second race on the card is another Group 2 affair this time over a lot shorter distance of six furlongs and also for the fillies this time. This race is a very competitive looking contest with the majority of the field coming here with a strong case to be taking the spoils. The one I’ve sided with is ICKWORTH for Willie McCreary and Billy Lee. He was a leading fancy at Royal Ascot for the most part before refusing to race, before that he’d won his first two starts both impressively and if turning up in the form we saw him in then he’s got to be a major player here.

WIN: ICKWORTH (4/1)

Pretty Polly Stakes (Group 1)

The feature race of the night is of course the Pretty Polly Stakes which is a Group 1 contest for fillies and I think this year’s renewal will once again be going to Ballydoyle as I believe PINK DOGWOOD can take the spoils here for Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore. She had to settle for second in the Oaks behind Anapurna but still ran a mighty race that day and you’d like to think that a repeat of that level would be enough to take this.

She’s got to get the better of dual Group 1 winner Wild Illusion however, who is a very smart performer on her day for Charlie Appleby and Godolphin and looks a major threat.

WIN: PINK DOGWOOD (5/4)