A look at Saturday’s Curragh card.

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Sat 19th Aug 2023
1.45 Curragh (13 runners)
Coolmore Stud Arizona Irish European
Breeders Fund Maiden

7f

  1. London City (USA)
    • Pros: Strong rating of 244.6, pedigree suggesting success, yard’s previous success in this race.
    • Cons: As it stands out prominently, it might offer lower value for money since many punters would back it.
  2. Chantilly (IRE)
    • Pros: Good rating, strong lineage with multiple winners in the family, higher odds suggesting potentially better returns.
    • Cons: Not the pick of the yard’s jockey Ryan Moore which might imply it’s not the yard’s strongest runner.
  3. Settlement
    • Pros: Good total rating, strong pedigree, affiliated with reputable hands, and an entry in the Moyglare which shows confidence in the horse.
    • Cons: As one of the top-rated horses, odds might drop if many back it, possibly reducing potential returns.

Sat 19th Aug 2023
2.20 Curragh (15 runners)
Bord Na Mona Recycling Maiden
6f

  1. Apple A Dey (IRE)
    • Pros: Improved performance on her second run, especially on softer ground. Highest overall score in the list.
    • Cons: Limited runs to determine true consistency. Only one strong recent performance to base on.
  2. Dagoda (IRE)
    • Pros: Consistently placed in previous races, suggesting she’s competitive. Good odds which reflect her potential to be at the top.
    • Cons: Has never actually won a race, which might imply she lacks the final push to clinch a victory.
  3. Cross Border
    • Pros: Second-highest score on the list. Good odds suggest he’s a top contender.
    • Cons: Previous unpredictability (unseated rider). Lack of consistent high performance in recent races.
Sat 19th Aug 2023
2.52 Curragh (9 runners)
Neville OByrne Memorial Irish European
Breeders Fund Fillies Handicap

1m4f
  1. Marvelosa (IRE)
    • Pros:
      • Consistent form.
      • Performed well against horses that have since shown good form.
      • Versatile with no obvious ground preferences.
    • Cons:
      • Odds suggest there are stronger contenders in the field.
  2. Youcrackmeup
    • Pros:
      • Progressive profile, suggesting she might still have more to offer.
      • Recent win in a handicap was convincing.
      • Forecasted rain is in her favour.
    • Cons:
      • Received a 10lb penalty for her last win, which makes the race harder for her.
  3. Blazing Skies (IRE)
    • Pros:
      • Decent total rating.
      • The only win was in a maiden, which can be a foundation for improvement.
      • Might offer value given her odds.
    • Cons:
      • Only one win in 12 races, suggesting she may not be the most reliable.
      • Previous handicap performances haven’t been strong.

Sat 19th Aug 2023
3.27 Curragh (5 runners)
Coolmore Stud Wootton Bassett Irish
European Breeders Fund Futurity Stakes (Group 2)

7f

  1. Henry Longfellow (IRE)
    • Pros:
      • High rating and short odds indicate strong form.
      • Comes from a reputable stable and lineage.
      • Trainer’s positive remarks boost confidence.
    • Cons:
      • Short odds mean there might not be much value in betting on him.
  2. Islandsinthestream (IRE)
    • Pros:
      • Showed promise in his debut and overcame inexperience.
      • Beat Portland in a previous outing.
    • Cons:
      • The horse he defeated on debut hasn’t shown strong form since.
  3. Portland (IRE)
    • Pros:
      • Has shown improvement over races.
      • Recent win boosts confidence.
    • Cons:
      • Was defeated by both Spanish Flame and Islandsinthestream in previous meetings.
      • Might be overshadowed by the stable’s main contender, Henry Longfellow.

Sat 19th Aug 2023
4.00 Curragh (8 runners)
Alpha Centauri Debutante Stakes (Fillies Group 2)
7f

  1. Pearls And Rubies (USA)
    • Pros:
      • High rating with favourable odds indicates solid form.
      • Adaptability to ground conditions.
      • The race distance is expected to be advantageous for her.
    • Cons:
      • Has been defeated by Snellen in the past.
  2. Snellen (IRE)
    • Pros:
      • Good performance in the barrier trial and victory at Limerick.
      • Beat Pearls And Rubies at Royal Ascot.
    • Cons:
      • Uncertainty around how she’ll perform if the ground softens.
  3. Vespertilio (FR)
    • Pros:
      • Strong performance at Leopardstown.
      • Managed to make a significant recovery during her last race.
    • Cons:
      • While she has showcased potential, she still might need more to challenge the top contenders in this race.

Sat 19th Aug 2023
4.35 Curragh (12 runners)
Sheehy Motors CUPRA Maiden
1m2f

  1. Thunder Roll (IRE)
    • Pros: Consistent good performance, especially holding her own in Listed/Group 3 company. Has a Group 1 entry indicating quality.
    • Cons: The only concern would be if she doesn’t live up to expectations considering her entry and previous performance.
  2. Starry Eyed (IRE)
    • Pros: Comes from a high-pedigree background and has been performing decently.
    • Cons: Hasn’t lived up to her pedigree or her purchase price. In direct match-ups with Thunder Roll, she’s been on the receiving end.
  3. Tommy Thug (IRE)
    • Pros: Has shown promise, especially on soft ground. The addition of cheekpieces could potentially enhance performance.
    • Cons: Couldn’t deliver a win when expected to at Down Royal. Odds are higher which suggests less confidence in a win compared to the other two.

Sat 19th Aug 2023
5.10 Curragh (20 runners)
Holden Plant Rental Handicap
1m2f 

  • Slieve Binnian
    • Pros: Strong recent performances, top-rated in this list, has shown decent form on soft grounds.
    • Cons: While the horse has solid numbers, other contenders have had better recent race performances.
  • Plunkett
    • Pros: Consistent performances, strong jockey and trainer influence, has been placed over almost this trip indicating stamina and speed balance.
    • Cons: Needs to repeat his best performance to be a contender in this race.
  • God Knows
    • Pros: Consistency in recent races, narrowly missed out on a win over the same course and distance last week, high last race rating.
    • Cons: Untested on soft ground which might be a concern considering the track condition.
Sat 19th Aug 2023
5.40 Curragh (14 runners)
Keepers Heart Irish & Bourbon Whiskey Handicap
5f
  1. Aloysius Lilius (IRE)
    • Pros: Recent win suggests good form. High overall rating.
    • Cons: 8lb weight increase could impact performance.
  2. Siesta Beach
    • Pros: Showed solid effort in the recent race. The drop in trip might suit the horse. Close in rating to the top horse.
    • Cons: Has been lightly-raced since its maiden win, so consistency might be a question.
  3. Shoebox King (IRE)
    • Pros: Recently won a race and has good form. The 5f trip might be beneficial. Fancied in terms of odds.
    • Cons: The 2lb weight increase might be a challenge.

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