Saturday’s card at The Curragh is a cracking precursor to Irish Derby day – and I’ve got a couple of fancies in two of the three Group contests.
Curragh Tips
Opposing the O’Brien family in their backyard is brave, but I can’t let George Boughey’s VIA SISTINA go unbacked in the G1 Pretty Polly Stakes at 3.25.
The five-year-old, who might be the best horse Boughey has handled since joining the training ranks in 2020, looked something out of the very top drawer when bolting up by 6L in the G2 Dahlia Stakes at Newmarket in May.
That form has been franked, significantly, in recent weeks. Runner-up Al Husn followed up with a Listed win at Ascot and Astral Beau (2nd) was less than a length behind the 112-rated Prosperous Voyage – who herself (5th behind Via Sistina at Newmarket) placed in the G2 Duke Of Cambridge Stakes at Royal Ascot – in a G3 at Epsom.
Of her eight rivals on Saturday, Above The Curve and Never Ending Story for Joseph O’Brien and Aidan O’Brien respectively are the main dangers to Via Sistina, but I suspect both want softer ground and have a little bit to find on form. I fully expect her to have the beating of the rest.
Track, trip and ground will be no bother, so all in all I’m confident of a huge run from the selection.
Just over half-an-hour later is the G3 International Stakes – and this time I’m siding with the O’Briens. Joseph, to be precise, courtesy of AL RIFFA.
The three-year-old son of Wootton Bassett was a brilliant juvenile who won the G1 Vincent O’Brien National Stakes in September last year, but he hasn’t been seen since. Clearly, he’s taken time to come to hand and I’m sure connections would rather be competing the Irish Derby on Sunday, but he’s back and has been found a great opportunity to start his season in style.
I don’t fear any of his four rivals. Alfred Munnings has potential but he’s got tons to find on the favourite after an even longer lay-off, while Layfayette tends to fall short at this level and has to overcome an 8-day turnaround. Mashhoor and Self Belief aren’t no-hopers, but they’re ultimately hard to advise.
The big concern for Al Riffa surrounds the trip. Despite shaping like middle distances will suit, he’s yet to run over 7f and so that has to be a concern. I’m willing to chance he’ll be just fine though – possibly even better.
Frankly, this rates a confident selection.
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