Sunday 15th September 2024
Author: Jordan Yates (@jordan_yates_)
Feature Meeting: Curragh (Irish Champions Festival)
1.50: Irish Stallion Farms EBF Bold Lad Sprint Handicap: We get things underway at the Curragh on Sunday with a Premier Handicap which is contested over six furlongs. In this immensely competitive affair, I’ve come down on Jon Riggens for the team of Ed Lynam and James Ryan who takes off three pounds. He returned to the track last month following a three-month break and posted a solid effort when fourth of eight and just over two lengths behind Heavenly Power, who he’ll reoppose here. He’s been dropped a pound for that effort and looks well handicapped here, three pounds below his last winning mark. If he gets some luck in the run he’s got every chance. Jon Riggens – 11/1 (Each-Way) (8 places – Sky Bet)
2.25: Moyglare ”Jewels” Blandford Stakes: We move up in the grade for the second race of the afternoon which comes in the form of the Group 2 Blanford Stakes over a mile and two furlongs for fillies & mares. I like American Sonja here who represents Joseph O’Brien and is the mount of Dylan Browne McMonagle. She’s a smart mare on her day and was a Group 3 winner on her seasonal reappearance this term, most notably though, her most recent effort was possibly her best performance to date when she was just touched off by a head in Group 1 company in France. If she turns up in that kind of form again here she should be bang there. American Sonja – 11/2 (Each-Way)
3.00: Moyglare Stud Stakes: Next up it’s the first Group 1 affair of the afternoon and that’s the Moyglare Stud Stakes that’s ridden over seven furlongs. I’m with the Ger Lyons trained Red Letter here who’s set to be ridden by Colin Keane. She created a big impression when winning on her second outing when she was last seen here back in July, and the form of that race has since been boosted with the Aidan O’Brien fillies Ballet Slippers and Whirl both coming out and winning. I think this is a potentially top-class filly and she’s got every chance of serving it up to the current market leader Bedtime Story. Red Letter – 3/1 (Win) (NB)
3.35: Bar One Racing Flying Five Stakes: The fourth race of the day comes up at 3.35 and it’s the Group 1 Flying Five Stakes over five furlongs. The Nunthorpe winner Bradsell currently heads the betting, and on the form of that race is the obvious one that they all have to beat. I’ve decided to take him on though on this occasion and I’ve done that with Believing who’s another British raider, this time for George Boughey and the mount of Ryan Moore. She was only three-quarters of a length behind Bradsell at York and could improve past him here, they’re also drawn at opposite ends of the track which could be an advantage to the selection. She’s been an admirable servant to her yard this term, winning a Group 2 here back in July and running her race in each top-level affair she’s contested. Believing – 3/1 (Win) (NAP)
4.10: Goffs Vincent O’Brien National Stakes: We move onto the 4.10 now which is further Group 1 action in the Vincent O’Brien National Stakes over seven furlongs. Henri Matisse will be another warm order here, but he’s another favourite I’m going to try and take on as I’ve sided with Aomori City here who’s currently a 9/2 chance in the betting for Charlie Appleby and William Buick. He’s a horse who’s clearly got bags of potential and comes into the race on the back of a Group 2 success at Glorious Goodwood when he won the Group 2 Vintage Stakes in impressive style. Wolf Of Badenoch let the form down slightly at Doncaster, however, I still think there’s plenty to like about the Godolphin colt and a bold showing would be no surprise. Aomori City – 9/2 (Win)
4.45: Comer Group International Irish St. Leger: My final selection of the day comes in the 4.45 which is the Group 1 Irish St Leger over a mile and six furlongs. It’s incredibly difficult to see past Kyprios here with Aidan O’Brien’s star stayer currently heading the betting at a short price. He did get beat in this race last year though, albeit that performance came after a lengthy spell on the sidelines. I’m going to take him on though as I’ve done with all of the hot favourites this afternoon, and I’m going to chance Vauban for Willie Mullins and William Buick. He bounced back to form at York last time when winning the Group 2 Lonsdale Cup and I think this trip may suit him a little better. He’s a smart animal in his own right and there’s not many better to have on board than Buick. Al Qareem isn’t likely to run, having run at Chester on Saturday so unfortunately it looks as though it will be two places on offer. Vauban – 7/1 (Each-Way)
Image provided by http://horseracingphoto.co.uk and is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License.
