Monday 2nd May 2022

Author: Jordan Yates (EvRacing_)

Curragh

“A big welcome to my Bank Holiday Preview where I’ll be focusing my attention at the Curragh where it’s Mooresbridge Stakes day. A look back to yesterday’s punts at Newmarket where it was 1000 Guineas Day, Dark Jedi didn’t run his race and he was followed by a string of third placed efforts. Crenelle was underwhelming in the Pretty Polly whereas Ebaiyra was unlucky in her Group 2 assignment, finishing very close-up. As for the 1000 itself, my punt Tuesday got into the money when finishing third. She stayed on up the far side under Dettori and ran a great race, her future look sure to be over further distances and a bright future it looks indeed.” 

– Jordan

The first race I’ll be taking a look at from the Curragh is the 2:20 which is the Tetrarch Stakes which is a listed contest that’s ridden over a mile. I like the chances of Dr Zemph here at 9/4 who represents the combination of Ger Lyons and Colin Keane. He was a just under a length second in the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes last year to Ebro River and started off his campaign this term in fine style winning a listed Guineas Trial by half of a lengths. There should be more to come from him following that effort last time out and if naturally progressing a bold showing would be likely in his assignment here.

Next up is the 2:55 which is a competitive Fillies Handicap over seven furlongs. I’ve taken a chance on the Andrew Slattery trained Independent Expert here who’s currently trading at a best price of 9/1. She’s set to be the mount of seven-pound claimer Cian Horgan which allows her to take part here off a very lowly weight. She won her maiden at Dundalk on the third attempt before finishing fourth on her handicap debut last month at Cork. If building on that effort she posted last time out she’s every chance of playing a meaningful role here off her current mark.

It’s the 3.30 next which is the Group 3 Athasi Stakes that’s contested over a distance of seven furlongs. The race is for Fillies & Mares and has currently attracted the nine runners of which I like the chances of Twilight Spinner who’s currently a best price of 13/8 for Joseph O’Brien and Shane Crosse. She had a record of two wins from three outings when trained in the UK by David O’Meara and since moving to Joseph she’s posted two solid efforts in pattern company, finishing placed in both with the most recent of those coming in listed company at Cork last month. It’s likely that there’s a lot more to come from her and she is a major player here for her top connections.

Concluding my preview will be the 4:05 which is the feature race itself the Group 2 Mooresbridge Stakes over a mile and two furlongs. The horse that I’m about to put up I’m sure at some point I said on this blog that I’ll never tip it again, but here we are. Yes, I like the chances of High Definition here at 10/3 for Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore. Last season’s Irish Derby favourite hasn’t been seen in the winners enclosure since taking the Group 2 Beresford Stakes back in September of 2020, however, showed that he still retains ability on his latest run in a Group 3 at the Curragh last month. This is a leap of faith, but if he comes on from his first run of the season which many of his yards do, I think he could go very close to breaking his losing run here and getting his head back in-front again.