After a hectic day of racing and Cup Final football, we continue the madness with the play-off final and the Irish 1000 Guineas. Over here we focus on the racing and can Aidan O’Brien make it 11 wins in the second Irish Classic? Or can it be a UK Irish Guineas double? Find out below, plus all tips from Group races at The Curragh
Loveable Rogue
2:35 – Lanwades Stud Stakes (Group Two) – Rogue Millennium @ 15/8 (William Hill)
Rogue Millennium was a great story for Tom Clover and the Rogues Gallery, but now she resides with Joseph O’Brien under the colours of Scott Helder. This could herald a new start for the Royal Ascot winning filly and she begins her five-year-old career here. She seems to go well between a mile and a mile and a quarter and the ground will be in her favour too. She was also runner up to Tahyira at Leopardstown last year so there is plenty of talent in her.
Ocean Jewel had a bit of a hard time last year and couldn’t quite find her groove, but the stable are looking more confident with her this season. She won a Group Three in June but failed to fire in two subsequent Group One’s. A Group Two might be a bit of a stiff start, but as a half-sister to 1000 Guineas winner Mother Earth, she’ll improve with age. 7/1 (William Hill, BetVictor).
A Champion Returns
3:10 – Tattersalls Gold Cup (Group One) – Auguste Rodin @ Evs (William Hill)
You just don’t know what you’re going to get with Auguste Rodin. One race he’s the champion of the world, the next he just doesn’t feel like racing. He was thoroughly disappointing in Dubai yet lit up the Breeders’ Cup. This looks a little more straightforward for the Irish Champion Stakes winner and has already beaten the second favourite twice. This is a race he should dominate.
Get Back Up Again
3:45 – Irish 1000 Guineas (GROUP ONE) – Fallen Angel @ 9/2 (General)
This is a wide-open contest. Opera Singer has been saved for this race, but with comments like ‘she’ll come on for the run’ fill me with doubt. Therefore, I’m going with the tried and tested Fallen Angel. Already a winner at the course, she looked as though she going to be up there at the finish at Newmarket but hung left and was pushed right. If she can replicate her Moyglare run, she could be hard to beat.
One I particularly like in the field is the unbeaten A Lilac Rolla. She beat Opera Singer on her second start by a head, and the form worked out for her well after that. She’s come down the most common trial to win this race, the Priory Belle. The form stacked up well from that race and is from a family who love the mile trip. She’s capable on the ground too. A threat at 17/2 (General).
Nothing But The Truth
4:15 – Gallinule Stakes (Group Three) – Spoken Truth @ 3/1 (General)
Half of these horses are experienced at two-year-old level, and some are starting their careers off this season. I’m voting for the horse that has already won over a mile and a quarter. Spoken Truth was nothing but impressive at Cork against an Aidan O’Brien runner that went close again next time out. The fact that she’s a half-sister to Irish 1000 Guineas winner Homeless Songs makes her all the more appealing.
The very best of luck!
