Our in-form Irish Eyes column rates September as the best bet at the Curragh today and she is one of a trio of tips on this afternoon's card.
Recommended Bets: Irish Eyes, August 20
2pts win September in 3.20 Curragh at 6/4
1pt win Rostropovich in 2.10 Curragh at 9/2
1pt e.w Little White Owl, 5.30 Curragh at 12/1
Aidan O’Brien is chasing a fourth Futurity Stakes win in five years today and he fields half the six-runner field in his attempt to do so.
The regally-bred Rostropovitch is the mount of Ryan Moore and on the face of it he appears up against it having finished last of three when last seen and indeed, having been beaten by the Ger Lyons-trained Camelback on both occasions they met.
He did not look the most straightforward of rides when winning his maiden either so a leap of faith is required when backing him to reverse the form with Camelback today but the application of a tongue-tie for the first time might just help matters (albeit cheekpieces may have been preferable) and at 9/2 (General) he is worth another chance.
For all that there are four Group races on today’s card, there is little doubt that the Debutante steals the show in terms of class and it could be it is actually next month’s Group 1 Moyglare Stud Stakes in all but name.
One again, Aidan O’Brien is seeking to win it for a fourth time in five years, and for the 12th time altogether but there is a strong suspicion that on this occasion Ryan Moore may have chosen incorrectly.
Again O’Brien fields three of the runners, one of whom is a full-sister to last year’s winner Rhododendron in Magical.
She could be the surprise filly in the field at 20/1 and will no doubt run a big race but it could be that last year's winning rider, Seamie Heffernan, is on the right filly again today.
September was deeply impressive in winning her maiden at Leopardstown but she gave a two-length-plus beating to the second favourite for today’s Group 1 Prix Morny winner Nyaleti and a bunch of colts in the Chesham and that must be the best form on offer.
Happily is probably the second best two-year-old filly in Ireland this season following her five-length Silver Flash win last timeout but the betting simply looks incorrect and 6/4 (General) about September easily rates as the nap of the day.
Little White Owl could go well at 12/1 (Paddy Power) in the closing sprint handicap for in-form trainer David Marnane and the fact that Killian Leonard takes off 5lb is a definite help to her chances too.
She sports a tongue-tie and blinkers so she’s obviously not the most straightforward filly in the world but she has shown glimpses of form in two of her five runs to-date.
On her third start she was a decent fourth over five furlongs at Tipperary and she commenced life off a mark of 56 in handicaps.
She ran OK when beaten under five lengths on her handicap debut but the handicapper certainly didn’t think so as he dropped her 3lb immediately.
Off her revised mark of 53, she improved again last time when beaten under 2 lengths here over six furlongs last time out. It looked as if today’s extra half furlong might suit her that day sand we’ll find out today. She’s worth a little each-way nibble at 16/1.
Preview posted at 1020 on 20/08/2017
