Classics, Classic trials and Royal Ascot clues are all available for viewing on Saturday on a tremendous day’s racing. Three tracks go live on ITV, while the Curragh host the Irish 2000 Guineas.
GG tipster Joe Napier has our lucky 15 tips for Saturday. Two run at the Curragh, with the other pair running at Haydock.
Haydock Racing Tips (Saturday 23 May)
At Haydock’s Saturday card, Joe’s two best bets run in handicap company either side of the Group 2 prizes.
2.20 Haydock – Crest Of Fire (1pt win – 13/2)
The very well-bred Princling is an obvious eyecatcher, but Crest Of Fire was often on the premises as a juvenile and things may have clicked at three. He was winless in five for Jack Channon last season. However, he often bumped into some talented rivals, including Royal Ascot scorer Humidity and Group 3 winner Hankelow. The selection was second on handicap debut to conclude last term, beaten a neck by McMurray, who has won both starts since. Finally given a better opportunity, he bolted in by ten lengths at Southwell in March. That has made no impact to his rating though, and 86 looks light for a horse who has kept strong company.
4.05 Haydock – Hermetic (1pt win – 8/1)
Pole Star is a proven stayer and only four years old, but he looks an opposable favourite. Another relative youngster at the same age is Hermetic, who is less exposed after only five career starts. The son of Sea The Stars switched to Ian Williams at the start of this season. He had previously been trained by Christophe Ferland in France, winning twice. One of those came over 2m, so he possessed prodigious stamina for a Classic aged horse. His initial British handicap mark of 82 looked tough, but he belied it to run really well at York ten days ago. He was fourth of 17 in competitive company and has been dropped 1lb since. Up to 2m, which we know he gets, he could prove well up to this task.
Curragh Racing Tips (Saturday 23 May)
As well as the Irish 2000 Guineas, there is plenty of Group race action to enjoy. Our tips at the track run in the Greenlands Stakes and Gallinule Stakes.
3.05 Curragh – Bucanero Fuerte (1pt win – 11/2)
Three from three over course and distance, Bucanero Fuerte can extend that unbeaten record. There will be a target on the back of 200/1 Group 1 scorer Powerful Glory, who could now prove himself high-class. However, he will have to be conceding a penalty all-round. That is especially true against the selection, a top level winner as a juvenile. He was also third in the Group 1 Flying Five Stakes here last season over the minimum trip. 6f surely suits him best though. He has only lost twice at the trip when the ground has been good or better. Fitness should not be an issue either, as he has already run twice this term. There was no disgrace in his most recent effort over 5f at Naas, which will have him spot on here.
4.15 Curragh – Drop Dead Gorgeous (1pt win – 2/1 )
This is traditionally a Derby rather than an Oaks trial, but there is precedent for a filly winning the Gallinule Stakes. The Group 3 prize went to Curvy for David Wachman in 2015 and Drop Dead Gorgeous could emulate her. Ryan Moore has chosen to ride Causeway for Aidan O’Brien. However, his stablemate is an exceptionally-bred filly, being a half-sister to Gleneagles and seven others. All of those half-sibings, each of them by Galileo, reached Official Ratings of at least 108. That is the definition of a remarkable family and Drop Dead Gorgeous, though by Dubawi, could be every bit as classy. She won on debut at Naas in March, then got going too late over 1m when unlucky in-running at this track last time out. She needs at least this 1m2f trip on that evidence, but coped well with good ground latest. At the very least, she can give Causeway the most to think about.
GG Lucky 15 Tips – Saturday 23 May
2.20 Haydock – Crest Of Fire (1pt win – 13/2)
3.05 Curragh – Bucanero Fuerte (1pt win – 11/2)
4.05 Haydock – Hermetic (1pt win – 8/1)
4.15 Curragh – Drop Dead Gorgeous (1pt win – 2/1 )
Today’s Meetings & Start Times
- Curragh – first race 13:20
- Haydock – first race 13:45
FAQs: Today’s Racing Tips
What are today’s GG Lucky 15 tips?
Joe Napier provides the GG Lucky 15 tips on Saturday 23 May, which include selections at Curragh & Haydock.
When were Saturday’s Lucky 15 tips for Curragh & Haydock published?
GG’s Lucky 15 tips for Friday 22 May were published at 12pm on Friday 22 May.
Who is Joe Napier?
Joe Napier is the deputy editor of GG who gives tips and opinion throughout the week. He has been writing for GG for over four years and is hugely passionate about racing.
Commercial notice: This article on GG.co.uk contains affiliate links. The offers we promote come from operators that we trust and our experts have first-hand experience dealing with. If you open an account through one of these affiliate links then GG will earn revenue. However, we ensure that the money earned goes back into improving and enhancing our coverage of horse racing and other sports, as we look to provide an excellent service to our growing audience.