Sunday 16th April 2023

Author: Jordan Yates (EvRacing_)

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Welcome aboard to this week’s Sunday blog where we’re back in Ireland at the Curragh for another solid afternoon’s action on the flat where have two pattern races on offer.

My first punt of the day comes up at 2:35 which is a ‘Maiden’ that’s contested over a distance of a mile and two furlongs. I think that this can go to Time Tells All at 15/8 for Dermot Weld and Chris Hayes. He comes into the race having had the one racecourse outing so far, which came at Navan in March where she posted a fine effort finishing half of a length second of twelve, behind a potentially good sort. That effort came on heavy going, which is what he’ll likely face one again here and if naturally progressing from that run he’s got to have a big chance here.

Next up is the 3:10 which is the Group 3 ‘Alleged Stakes’ which is to be ridden over a mile and two furlongs. We’ve got a competitive renewal on our hands here, and it looks like a tough puzzle to solve for punters, I think I’ve found the answer though with Self Belief at 4/1 for William McCreary and Billy Lee. He was progressing nicely toward the end of last season and made a fine return to the track at Naas in March when finishing third behind Visualisation. He’ll reoppose that opponent here, but this time off level-weights which should bring them closer. He’s not got that much to find on the market leaders here either and I think he’s a horse to follow who can go well in this.

The 3:45 is next which is more Group 3 action in the form of the ‘Gladness Stakes’ which is contested over seven furlongs. I think that this can go to Mea Domina at 7/4 who’s my NAP of the day and is another runner to be ridden by Billy Lee. She’s a French recruit who made a solid start to her Irish career last time out when finishing third of eight behind Buckaroo in a listed contest at Leopardstown earlier this month. If progressing from that effort here back in down in trip, which is likely, she’s a massive player and could go on this season to prove to be a shrewd purchase for her new connections.

My fourth and final punt comes in the 4:20 which is a ‘Handicap’ that’s to be ridden over six furlongs. This is massively competitive and I’ve taken a chance on one at a decent price, and that comes in the form of Hurricane Ivor at 9/1 for Jessica Harrington and Shane Foley. He was a smart sprinter for William Haggas and made a promising start to life for his new stable last time out when finishing third of eight at Cork earlier this month. He’s on what looks to be a very enticing mark, having won off several pounds higher in the not-so-distant past. He shouldn’t have too many issues with the ground and I think he can go well at a nice price.

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