Some decent races in the evening at the Curragh, Newmarket and Newcastle.

The most valuable race of the day is the group 3 William Hill Hoppings Fillies Stakes, 7.20 Newcastle.

Zeyaadah heads the betting and has the highest official rating of 105, followed by Lilac Road 101, Freyja & Oriental Mystique both 100.

ZEYAADAH has a great opportunity to put her disappointing run in the Oaks behind her. The dark horse is Sea Empress who has won 2 of her first 3 starts and though she needs to improve 7 or 8lb today, she could make the step up in class here.

The Bord Na Mona Recycling Apprentice Derby, 6.00 The Curragh is a 20 runner race for apprentice jockeys.

You couldn’t pick the winner of that you’re thinking?

Well, since 1997  there’s only been 4 double priced winners. Some of the winning jockeys are now household names. Jamie Spencer, Shane Foley, Martin Harley, Ben Curtis, Ronan Whelan and Gavin Ryan.

A good place to start is with POWERFUL KIERAN ridden by last year’s winning jockey Dylan McMonagle (A winner of 218 pony races before he was apprenticed)) and trained by last year’s winning trainer Joseph O’Brien. This 3yo is still a maiden, but a fair one. He was just caught at the post at Fairyhouse the last day and looks like an improver.

Igraine won on handicap debut in the hands of today’s jockey Paddy Harnett at Leopardstown last time, asserting close home. By Camelot, she stays well and the predicted strong pace should suit her.

Jessica Harrington saddles Aurora Princess in the hands of Scott McCullagh. She’s won her last two races piloted by said Jockey and can’t be ruled out.

The 7.30 Newmarket over 6f is the feature race there. A class 3 handicap for fillies.

Lovely Breeze heads the market ahead of Bimble and Ice Station Zebra.

ICE STATION ZEBRA is a (non runner now) progressing well, she’s won 3 of her last 4 races. Hector Crouch takes the reins today, he has a 31% strike rate for Ralph Beckett and a P/L of +16.

Her trainer has a 19% strike rate in handicaps and a P/L of +28.

He also has a strike rate of 20% and a P/L of +12 at the distance.

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