Saturday 22nd July 2023
Author: Jordan Yates (EvRacing_)
Welcome aboard this week’s Saturday Preview which comes from the Curragh where it’s an afternoon of classic action as it’s Irish Oaks Day. I’ll be sharing my verdicts on five races across the card including the big one, so as ever, if you are punting make sure to do it in a responsible manner.
2.00 – ANGLESEY STAKES
PEARLS AND RUBIES – 11/10 (NAP)
“Aidan O’Brien trained filly by No Nay Never who arrives here with the two starts to date, winning her racecourse debut at Navan back in June before being narrowly denied at Royal Ascot when she finished a head second in the Chesham Stakes. That was still a fantastic effort and the strongest form on offer here and it’s very likely she’ll progress again, which makes her a very big player for her top connections.”
2.35 – PADDY POWER SCURRY HANDICAP
HURRICANE IVOR – 11/1
“This is as competitive as they come and is seemingly a minefield for punters, I’ve come down on the Jessica Harrington trained Hurricane Ivor though who’s the mount of Shane Foley, he was down the field at Royal Ascot, however, prior to that he’d been in solid form for his new Irish stable. As a result of that below-par effort, he’s been dropped back down to a mark well within his range and he’ll also have no issue with soft going. ”
3.10– SAPPHIRE STAKES
GO ATHLETICO – 4/1
“Progressive French recruit for Adrian McGuiness who made the perfect start for his new stable when winning a listed event at Cork in June in comfortable style by two lengths. There’s every chance that he’s still got more improvement in him and he’s another runner that won’t have any issue with testing ground. Colin Keane is booked for the ride which is another obvious plus in his favour. ”
3.45 – IRISH OAKS
SAVETHELASTDANCE – 10/11
“Highly impressive winner of the Cheshire Oaks at Chester’s May Festival before going on to finish a solid second in the English Oaks at Epsom behind the very talented Soul Sister. She’s had a bit of a break since then and will come into this seemingly firing on all cylinders and she’s the choice of Ryan Moore. The forecast of rain will be very welcomed and if she turns up in the same kind of form as her Chester demolition she’ll be very tough to beat.”
4.20 – CURRAGH CUP
EMILY DICKINSON – 2/1
“I’ve sided with another for the Ballydoyle boys in the Curragh Cup and that’s Emily Dickinson who again is the mount of Ryan Moore. She was highly progressive before a short odds defeat on her penultimate outing in the Group 3 Levmoss Stakes at Leopardstown back in May, however, she bounced back to form with a fine effort in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot when finishing a very respectable fourth. I think a repeat of that level of form could be enough to win this.”
