It’s the turn of the future stars of the track at the Curragh today, as Day Two of the Irish Champions Festival dawns upon us. Two heavyweights of the O’Brien stable tussle each other in the National Stakes, whilst it looks a bit more open in the Moyglare. Here’s a Sunday Special of Four to Follow.
Power Over Princess
2:55 – Flying Five Stakes (Group One) – Art Power @ 5/1 (BetVictor, Betfred)
For some time on Best Of Bets, Highfield Princess has been the go-to horse for us. The story, the speed, all of it she’s been a revelation of the sprinting world. But she’s been hitting the frame this year, and I’m more interested in winners and that leads me to Art Power. Unbeaten at the Curragh, that course form is significant above the other horses.
He’s five from five, and has performed at Group One level too, his best performance was finishing third in the 2021 Diamond Jubilee. With all that in mind, and with Highfield Princess just not cutting the mustard in three Group One’s this season, Art Power is the perfect Curragh champion.
Fortuna Favours The Brave
3:25 – Moyglare Stud Stakes (Group One) – Porta Fortuna @ 13/2 (888Sport, BetVictor, BetUK)
Ylang Ylang is all the talk, but looking on her performance in the Silver Flash didn’t look as convincing as it might have seen. She made all but Vespertillo was closing all the time, and without pace in the race Yland Ylang is vulnerable. Porta Fortuna isn’t.
A Royal Ascot winner, beating Matrika who won the Airlie Stud Stakes next time out, she finished well behind the colt Bucanero Fuerte in the Phoenix Stakes. Stepping up in trip will be beneficial, and with no boys to face she may have an easier task. Frankie Dettori is always an eye-catching booking, and won’t want to leave Ireland empty handed.
Fuerte To Forte
4:00 – Vincent O’Brien National Stakes (Group One) – Bucanero Fuerte @ 9/2 (888Sport)
Who is the only Group One winner in the field? Bucanero Fuerte. Who won by four lengths in a Group One? Bucanero Fuerte. Who is massively overpriced for the race? Bucanero Fuerte. For me he holds all the aces. Even if Aidan O’Brien has two fantastic looking two-year-olds, according to Seamie Heffernan, they’re not. To accentuate my point further, O’Brien hasn’t won this race since Churchill back in 2016. The fact that a Group One winning two-year-old is bigger 3/1 makes no sense to me. It’ll be a fascinating race nonetheless.
King Of The Curragh
4:35 – Irish St. Leger (Group One) – Kyprios @ 11/8 (William Hill)
We’ve missed Kyprios this year in the staying division. His talents last season were incredible, and there seems to be a void needing to be filled this year. Courage Mon Amis never came on from the Ascot Gold Cup, and we’ve had a lack of dominance. But the return for Kyprios heralds a return to normality, and even at 90% he can put his stablemate Emily Dickinson into submission. Aidan O’Brien might have a great crop of two-year-olds, but he has a shining jewel here, and Kyprios is back to defend his Irish St. Leger title the Curragh.
The very best of luck!
