Sunday 21st July 2024
Oaks Weekend (Day 2)
Author: Jordan Yates (@jordan_yates)
Feature Meeting: Curragh
1.40: Sycamore Lodge Equine Hospital Irish EBF Fillies Maiden: Welcome aboard to this Sunday Preview where we focus on the Curragh and we kick things off with the 1.40 which is a fillies maiden over seven furlongs. This looks like a good opportunity for Red Letter for Ger Lyons and Colin Keane to build on her impressive racecourse debut when a head second to Lake Victoria here in June. If progressing from that run she’ll take all the beating. Red Letter – 8/11 (Win) (NAP)
2.10: Jebel Ali Racecourse And Stables Anglesey Stakes: We move into Group 3 company at 2.10 with the Anglesey Stakes over six and a half furlongs. I’m chancing Camille Pissarro to bounce back here for Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore. He was on the wrong side of the track when finishing midfield in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot, and he should be posting a much bolder effort in this. He remains an exciting prospect and I think he’ll go well in this. Camille Pissarro – 4/1 (Win)
3.15: Romanised Minstrel Stakes: My third selection of the afternoon comes in the 3.15 which is the Group 2 Minstrel Stakes over seven furlongs. I think that this can be another one for Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore as I’ve sided with Mountain Bear in this particular contest. He was a fine two-length second to Haatem in the Jersey Stakes and has some classy form to his name, most notably when second in Group 1 company at the Breeders Cup last year. For me, he’s the one that sets the standard. Mountain Bear – 9/4 (Win)
3.45: Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Handicap: It’s a tough fillies handicap up next at 3.45 that’s set to be ridden over a distance of a mile. I’m taking a chance on what at a big price here and that’s Breathe Again for Sheila Lavery and Siobhan Routledge who takes off three-pounds. She posted her best effort to date when third in a maiden at Limerick earlier this month and is unexposed here on her handicap debut, she could well spring somewhat of a surprise if she continues her improvement. Breathe Again – 12/1 (Each-Way)
4.20: Al Shira’aa Racing Meadow Court Stakes: It’s back up in grade at 4.20 with the Group 3 Court Stakes over a mile and a furlong. This looks to be all about Jackie Oh for Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore. She’s got a whole host of fantastic top-level form to her name from last season and should take a lot of beating here getting weight off her main market rival American Banjo, who she’s rated six pounds higher than. Jackie Oh – Evs (Win) (NB)
4.55: Fleetwood Paints Irish EBF Maiden: My final selection on the day comes in the 4.55 which is maiden action over a mile and four furlongs. I’m with Ephesus here who’s another on the day for Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore. He didn’t fire over a slightly further distance last time out but if he runs up to the level of his run at Chester when second behind Mina Rashid he should be having a big say. He’s got plenty of experience now and it would be disappointing should he not go close. Ephesus – 9/4 (Win)
