The weekend promises loads of top racing from the Curragh, featuring the opening two Classics of the season from the Emerald Isle. GG tipster Joe Napier has four selections across the handicap and Group race action, including a potential surprise in the Irish 1000 Guineas…
Saturday, 2.30 Curragh – Tulfarris Hotel And Golf Resort Handicap
He may only have cost his new owners 24,000 guineas, but RETRACEMENT had looked promising for William Haggas and former owners Simon Munir & Isaac Souede in 2024. He now returns for a career in Ireland, but could be ahead of his mark in fresh surroundings.
The son of Australia was third to Listed winner and Group 2-placed Almaam on debut, beaten just over two lengths, then followed up with an easy success at Pontefract. More may have been expected on his next two starts, but he was fifth in a strong novice event at Goodwood under a winner’s penalty, then second on his handicap bow back in Yorkshire.
He was keen on soft going that day, doing well if anything to reach the position he did. A mark of 84 does not look overly daunting if the switch of yards proves no negative, with the return to 1m2f on better ground looking a positive switch.
Saturday, 3.05 Curragh – Weatherbys Ireland Greenlands Stakes (Group 2)
It’s not always easy knowing which of Aidan O’Brien’s seasonal debutants will need the run, but it’s worth backing that Ballydoyle newcomer STORM BOY will be fit and firing. An import from the southern hemisphere, he remains registered as a three-year-old despite being born in 2021.
O’Brien has previous of this, with Merchant Navy another such type who went onto Group 1 glory at Royal Ascot. Storm Boy was evidently blessed with pace in Australia, winning at Group 2 level and being beaten just half-a-length in the Group 1 Golden Rose at Rosehill in September.
Sprinters from down under have often proved a class above those bred and raced on these shores, so it is likely he will take some stopping in top sprint contests when finding his feet. The likelihood is that will be straight away given he won on debut, and after a 146-day mid-season break last term.
Sunday, 3.05 Curragh – Tattersalls Gold Cup (Group 1)
Both Anmaat and Kalpana have plenty of ability, while Los Angeles will again be a tough nut to crack if in front late on. However, this course and distance is the domain of WHITE BIRCH, and he can record back-to-back successes in this Group 1.
The striking grey was a talented three-year-old, but made up into an even more impressive older performer. He won three times over track and trip last term, gradually progressing from Group 3 to Group 1 level, culminating in a three-length thrashing of Auguste Rodin in this race a year ago.
He was then off the track for 344 days, so likely needed the run that little bit more than Los Angeles, who beat him by a neck. However, if last season is anything to go by, the son of Ulysses is about to unlock a good chunk of improvement and may have too irresistible a surge for the Ballydoyle inmate this time.
Sunday, 3.40 Curragh – Tattersalls Irish 1,000 Guineas (Group 1)
As with many O’Brien runners in the Newmarket Guineas’ in recent seasons, Lake Victoria may well have needed the run, leaving this as her likely target. She has a good draw too, but her pedigree suggests that 1m might be the minimum trip she ultimately wants this term, and both Flight and Simmering had the verdict over her at Newmarket.
Reputation has ensured she is a price worth taking on, but it is worth taking in the regard in which CITY OF MEMPHIS must be held. Paddy Twomey’s filly went off at 8/13 for her debut at Cork just under three weeks ago and duly bolted in by just under three lengths. The six-length third was an odds-on favourite herself on debut, but could not live with the selection despite previous experience.
Stall 10 is not ideal, and she will have to prove this 1m trip is within her compass, but she is a decent price given her obvious promise. Twomey’s yard is in sensational form too, winning with 44% of their runners so far this season and only 25% missing out on the frame.
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