We have reached the final day of what has been an Irish Guineas Festival to remember. With so many standout performances over the past two days, it has set us up for some fascinating clashing for the rest of the season.
But now the fillies get their chance to light up the Curragh as 12 will head to post in search of classic glory on the Irish 1000 Guineas.
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Curragh 1:20 Tally Ho Stud Irish EBF Fillies Maiden – 6f (2yo)
Only three out of the 14 strong fields come here with racecourse experience, and even though there are some well-bred newcomers, they may have to be well above average to get the better of BALANTINA.
She was well-baked on her debut, opening up at 9/1 before going off the 5/2 favourite. Having slightly missed the break, Balantina was on the back foot early, with a lot of work to do. She quickly made ground into midfield but ran around under pressure from just under two furlongs out.
But when the penny dropped, she picked up and ran through the line strongly. That experience will be a massive plus here, and if she can break on terms, Balantina can put that experience to good use and give Oisin Murphy a winning start to the day.
Selection: Balantina
Danger: Beautify
Curragh 1:55 Group 3 GAIN Marble Hill Stakes – 6f (2yo)
The hype surrounding Albert Einstein was justified when he made a winning debut at Naas at the beginning of the month. There is no doubt that the son of Wootton Bassett will improve hand over fist from that experience, but even so, I find it hard to come away from ANDAB.
He won on debut over this course and distance, where he had the race in safe keeping from the two-furlong pole, eventually winning by over four lengths. That was a performance of a future Group 1 class colt, and with expected improvement from the first to the second run, it is hard to see him not being seriously involved in the finish. Albert Einstein will likely be hard to beat, but Andab may be up to the task.
Selection: Andab
Danger: Albert Einstein
Curragh 2:30 Group 2 Lanwades Stud Stakes – 1m (Fillies & Mares) (4yo+)
Vera’s Secret is on the back of a career-best when dominating from the front in a 7f Group 3 fillies and mare contest at Leopardstown at the beginning of the month. It’s unlikely that she will get an easy time of it on the lead here, with Rubies From Burma likely to take her on for the lead, which could lead to this race being run at an above average tempo. But no matter how this race is run, it’s hard to get away from the four-time Group 1 winner, PORTA FORTUNA.
We are expected to have gotten a lot of rain by Sunday, so even if the ground is on the soft side, it will not worry this top-class filly. This race will be a stepping stone for the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot, but if ready enough, she can give her rivals weight and a beating (concedes 3lb, but is rated a minimum of 10lb better than her rivals). One Looked has improved from three to four and can be the best of the rest.
Selection: Porta Fortuna
Danger: One Look
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Curragh 3:05 Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup – 1m2½f
Los Angeles and White Birch fought out an epic battle when locking horns at Group 2 level at the beginning of the month, and with race fitness now confirmed for both, there will be very little splitting the pair again.
There is an array of UK challengers taking their chance, like Anmaat, who was last seen when causing a 40/1 upset at Royal Ascot last season. He is a hard horse to keep sound, but connections would not bring him to the Curragh if he were not ready to run a huge race. However, the UK challenger that I prefer is GHOSTWRITER.
Ghostwriter entered his three-year-old season with an unblemished record but failed to add to that in five races. Connections never swayed away from Group 1 level throughout the season, coming up against Notable Speach, Look De Vega, City Of Troy and Economics. He wasn’t disgraced in any of his five runs at Group 1 level, being beaten no more than just over four lengths at worst.
He returned with a promising run on his first start as a four-year-old when staying on well Group1 Dubai Turf over 1m1f. That should leave him spot-on for this, and he rates as a strong each-way player.
Selection: Ghostwriter 7/1 (e/w)
Danger: Los Angeles 11/4
Current Betting: Los Angeles 11/4, White Birch 3/1, Kalpana 4/1, Anmaat 13/2, Ghostwriter 7/1, Royal Rhyme 16/1, 40/1 bar.
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Curragh 3:40 Group 1 Tattersalls Irish 1,000 Guineas – 1m (3yo)
Flight didn’t go down without a fight when finishing second in the English 1000 Guineas, and she had Simmering and LAKE VICTORIA behind her on the day. But she may struggle to uphold the for with the Aidan O’Brien runner.
Lake Victoria was a perfect five from five as a two-year-old, which included three Group 1 victories, with one being a win at the Breeders Cup. She was short going into the English 1000 Guineas and ran like a filly that would come on massively for the run. It wouldn’t be the first time that an Aidan O’Brien runner underperformed in the Newmarket classic only to bounce right back to form on their next outing, and I feel this is what will happen with Lake Victoria. With that run under her belt, she can prove a tough nut to crack. Swelter was impressive when winning a Group 3 on her comeback, and if she can take another step forward, she is entitled to put it up to Lake Victoria.
Selection: Lake Victoria 5/4
Danger: Swelter 9/2
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Curragh 4:15 QuinnBet Spring Fillies Handicap – 1m (Premier Handicap) (3yo)
Surprisingly, there have only been nine declared for this fillies premier handicap, but the one notable entire is the Gavin Cromwell-trained La Guapisima. When trained by Christopher Head, La Guapisima was a listed winner in France, and now having her first run for the Cromwell stable, which is known to get the best out of new recruits, you can expect a bold showing from this listed winner. But, she must give lumps of weight away to her rivals, which may scupper her winning chance. The one who can take advantage of receiving 16lb from the Cromwell runner is the lightly raced VARSHINI.
Having finished fifth on her only two-year-old start in what was a hot maiden at this track (Red Letter was an impressive winner), Varshini made no mistake on her first three-year-old start when easily winning a Gowran Park maiden last month. This daughter of Night Of Thunder won’t mind if the underfoot conditions become soft, and given that she has much more to offer, she can take another big step forward today.
Shiota caused a bit of an upset when turning over the Mississippi River at Naas last time, and if she can back that up, she is entitled to be involved in the finish.
Selection: Varshini
Danger: La Guapisima
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Curragh 4:50 Cryoclinic.ie Handicap – 1m6f (4yo+)
In what looks like the most competitive race on the card, it can pay to take a chance with NATURALLY NIMBLE. He had a good time of it over hurdles during the recent national hunt season and now returns to the flat on what looks like a more than fair mark. He tackles this trip for the first time, but it can be then making of him back on the level. He is a strong traveller who will appreciate a quick pace, and if he is there coming around the home bend, he will be staying on strong to the line and looks sure to place at worst.
Others to note are Alphonse Le Grande, who is having his first run since a brave win in the Cesarewitch at Newmarket, and Signs From Above, who has been dropped to 77 for his last run. He must bounce back, but he will be staying on strong at the finish here.
Selection: Naturally Nimble
Danger: Signs From Above
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About the author
Andrew Halligan
My name is Andrew Halligan, horse racing pundit and founder of YouTube’s The Finishing Line Podcast. Horse racing is a thrilling spectacle that captivates audiences around the world with its blend of drama and excitement. Whether you’re a jumps or flat fan, I will use my experience of working within the horse racing industry to bring the best of what this sport has to offer.
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