Curragh Tips: Best Bets, Value Angles & Winning Plays for Good Friday Racing
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In this 1xBet Ireland review, we will discuss a key early-season card with informative runners and betting opportunities across the board.
The third fixture of the new Flat season at the Curragh sees five races sponsored by 1xBet, further strengthening their commitment to Irish racing.
The first-ever Good Friday meeting offers free entry for all racegoers, adding to what promises to be a high-quality and informative card. With several well-bred juveniles, unexposed handicappers and potential Group performers on show, this is a meeting that should provide key clues for the months ahead.
Better still, there are plenty of betting opportunities. Hopefully, we can also find a few winners along the way.
1:22 Curragh
5f Curragh On Course Bookmakers Supporting Free Admission Irish EBF Maiden (2yo).
The first of the eagerly anticipated Ballydoyle juveniles sees two beautifully bred newcomers.
Confucius, by No Nay Never (a 6f Group 1-winning juvenile), is out of another 6f Group 1-winning juvenile, Millisle. His half-sister by Frankel won a 7f maiden as a three-year-old. He has the assistance of Wayne Lordan.
Ryan Moore has chosen another well-bred newcomer, New Yorker, also by No Nay Never and out of Fairyland, a 6f Group 1-winning juvenile. She cost 925,000gns as a yearling and won four of her five starts at two, including the Group 1 Cheveley Park Stakes, before adding a Group 1 Flying Five as a three-year-old. She won two of her three starts at the Curragh, mostly on good or good-to-firm ground.
New Yorker was highlighted by Aidan O’Brien at his media morning at the Curragh last Sunday, although he also mentioned having 10 likely Royal Ascot types ready to run soon.
This could be a race to watch. The betting will be a strong guide. On paper, New Yorker is the most likely winner, but given that several Ballydoyle second strings won first time out last year, including Gstaad, it could be worth siding with Confucius if he drifts to a big price. If you’re at the Curragh, be sure to look at the horses in the paddock beforehand, and see who stands out to you.
1:57 Curragh
6f 1xBet.ie Supports Safe Gambling Irish EBF Fillies Sprint Handicap.
A tough race in which many have chances.
Josh’s Joy
A 100,000gns yearling by Wootton Bassett, out of a High Chaparral half-sister to dual Group 1 winner Ten Sovereigns (Middle Park and July Cup).
She was placed on her first three starts in maidens over 7f and 8f, including finishing third to subsequent Group 3 winner Black Caviar Gold and Nursery winner River Ara (rated 85) in a Cork maiden. She got off the mark when dropped to 6f at Naas.
A free-going filly who has carried her head awkwardly at times, she could benefit from headgear, although her trainer has not applied it yet. She has been strong in the betting on all four starts, going off favourite three times.
Donnacha O’Brien’s horses are flying, and she makes her handicap debut off a mark of 86, but has a Timeform rating of 92. She lacks experience but is unexposed and ranks as the third-highest rated runner on Proform.
Staysound Susie
The pace setup looks likely to be strong, with several runners who like to go forward. That should suit Andrew Slattery’s Staysound Susie, who gave her jockey his first Curragh winner when landing the 5f 1xBet Supports Irish Racing Sprint Handicap on the final day of last season. She improved 14lb on Timeform adjusted ratings from her seasonal debut and was third, beaten 1½ lengths over 5f last time out, finishing best of the hold-up runners.
Her trainer is in excellent form, with a recent double at both the Curragh and Navan. She should improve for the step back up to 6f and has a solid record at this track, with a win and multiple placings. She holds the top Proform speed figure and is second-highest rated overall.
Reimagined
By Kodi Bear, out of an unraced half-sister to 1m3f Group 3 winner Pearl Banks.
A half-sister to Indalo, she recorded an impressive Top Speed figure when winning a 6f novice at Windsor. She disappointed on soft ground in a Group 3 and was beaten on her nursery debut off a mark of 77.
Now rated 74 for her Irish debut, she could improve for a stable switch to Daniel McLoughlin and the application of a first-time hood. Lightly raced and unexposed, she is one to watch in the betting and worth adding to the tracker, as her shrewd trainer is likely to find a nice race for her.
Asdana
Interesting off a mark of 70. She has the second-highest Proform speed figure in the race and ran well behind Highbury See See last season.
That rival has since improved significantly, boosting the form. Asdana also won a 5f handicap at Cork, beating subsequent multiple winner Prairie Girl.
She showed she handles testing ground and has placed twice off this mark. Although she has only won once in 13 starts, she could improve as a four-year-old. Likely to come on for the run but one to monitor.
Bint Majestic Roi
By Ghaiyyath, out of a well-related mare. She was a maiden after six starts for Dermot Weld but won on her third start for Andrew Slattery over 1m at Dundalk off 59 at 50/1.
Fifth off 64 on her latest run 80 days ago. The drop back to 6f may not suit, but her trainer is in excellent form. She could still have upside based on her early form and pedigree, although further may be required.
Goofy Gander
A half-sister to 10f Group 3 winner Trustyourinstinct. Has been campaigned over 6f and 7f and is rated 74. Likely to be more interesting when stepped up in trip.
2:32 Curragh
Irish Stallion Farms EBF Median Auction Fillies Maiden (Smullen Series) (3yo) – 1m2f.
It is always difficult to assess how much improvement three-year-olds have made over the winter, particularly on seasonal debuts.
Chablis Rock
By Sioux Nation out of a Montjeu mare, and a sister to multiple Group 2 and Group 3-winning stayer Coltrane.
Unfancied on her first two starts, her pedigree suggests stamina despite her sire being a sprint influence. She holds an Irish Oaks entry and should be well suited by this step up in trip.
She is the top-rated runner and has the best Proform speed figure.
Chasing Paradise
Johnny Murtagh is seeking his first Irish turf winner of the season, but his runners are in form.
Chasing Paradise, by Churchill, is bred for stamina and shaped with promise when second on debut at Leopardstown behind Amelia Earhart. That horse is highly regarded.
She should improve for the step up in trip and also holds an Irish Oaks entry.
3:07 Curragh
Irish Stallion Farms EBF Park Express Stakes (Group 3) – 1m.
Aidan O’Brien has won two of the last four runnings. Last year’s beaten favourite Whirl went on to finish second in the Oaks and win two Group 1 races, highlighting the importance of this contest.
Moments Of Joy
By Justify out of a Galileo mare, she has strong form as a juvenile, including a win at Leopardstown and placed efforts in Listed and Group company.
She finished second in a Group 3 at the Curragh and ran well in top company at Royal Ascot. Her form ties in with high-class performers including Queen Of Hawaii and Sugar Island.
She looks capable of significant improvement at three and is one to watch closely.
Despite being rated 101, she receives a significant weight allowance from higher-rated rivals such as Faiyum. Given how forward Aidan O’Brien’s horses are this season, she is a major contender.
Catalina Delcarpio
By Lope De Vega, she made an impressive debut before running well in Group company.
She shaped particularly well in the Salsabil Stakes and the Ribblesdale Stakes, suggesting she has the ability to compete at a high level.
Likely to improve for the run and for stepping back up in trip later in the season.
Faiyum
Top-rated on Proform with the best speed figure.
By Frankel, she won her first two starts and ended last season with a dominant Group 3 success. She should progress further this year and looks the one to beat if fully fit.
Princess Child
Won a 7f Galway handicap off 91 shortly after finishing second in a Listed race.
She should improve for her second run of the season and returns to racing against her own sex. A solid Timeform performer who could outrun her odds.
California Dreamer
A talented filly who has run well in Group company, including a strong second in the Irish 1000 Guineas behind Lake Victoria.
She arrives race-fit, handles the track well, and benefits from a first-time visor. At bigger odds, she makes each-way appeal.
3:42 Curragh
1m 1xBet.ie Proudly Supporting Irish Racing Mile Handicap (4yo+).
A very competitive handicap.
Key Witness
Lightly raced and unexposed, he has the top Proform speed figure. A winner over 7f, he shaped as though this step up to a mile will suit.
Now rated 83, but with higher Timeform and Racing Post ratings, he looks well handicapped. A strong each-way contender and one for exotic bets.
Highbury See See
A course-and-distance winner who had a productive season last year.
Forgive his seasonal debut in the Irish Lincolnshire, as the form has worked out well. Dropped 4lb and likely to improve for the run, he is a major player.
4:17 Curragh
1xBet.ie Emerald Cup Handicap (Premier Handicap) – 1m2f.
Eastwatch
Second in the Irish Lincoln and shaped well, staying on strongly. Up 4lb to 101 but remains progressive and should improve for the step up in trip.
Glen To Glenn
Well treated based on last season’s form, including strong runs behind high-class opposition, particularly his third to subsequent Irish Derby runner-up Serious Contender and premier handicap winner Light As Air.
Switching back from hurdles, he could be very interesting off his current mark.
Mocking
By Tamayuz and related to Group performer Al Qareem.
Won a maiden on his final start last season and could be well handicapped off 83. Johnny Murtagh has a strong record with horses returning from a break, and he could go well.
4:52 Curragh
Feel The Rush With 1xBet.ie Easter Irish EBF Maiden (3yo) – 1m1f.
Some fascinating pedigrees on show here.
Aidan O’Brien runs two, with Ryan Moore opting for Pendulum, who wears blinkers on his racecourse debut. He is a son of Dubawi, out of a Listed-winning mare by War Front who was Group 1 placed in the Moyglare as a juvenile at the Curragh.
The more intriguing runner may be Canary Island. Another son of Dubawi, he is out of the Galileo mare Rhododendron, a triple Group 1 winner. He is a half-brother to six-time Group 1 winner Auguste Rodin and holds an entry in the Irish Derby. It will be interesting to see how he fares, particularly given Ryan Moore has chosen his stablemate.
Donnacha O’Brien has started the season strongly, with a 38% strike rate and 100% runners-to-form. He runs the filly Glyfada, a daughter of Camelot out of a Holy Roman Emperor mare who was a Group 3 winner and Group 1 placed as a juvenile. She is a sister to the Group winner Prague and holds an entry in the Irish Oaks.
This should be a very informative race.
5:27 Curragh
Your Game. Your Odds. Your 1xBet.ie Stayers Trophy Race (4yo+) – 1m6f.
Emit ended last season with a career-best effort when beaten a neck by stablemate and Derby third Tennessee Stud over 1m7f, finishing strongly.
He is partnered by Ryan Moore for the first time and is eligible to improve on his first run following a gelding operation. He is the highest-rated runner on Proform, Top Speed, and Racing Post Ratings, and also holds the top Proform speed figure in the race.
Happy Pharoah has a superb pedigree. He is by American Pharoah, the US Triple Crown and Breeders’ Cup Classic winner, out of the Galileo mare Happily, a dual Group 1 winner and full sister to multiple Group 1 winners including Gleneagles and Marvellous.
He may not have the same raw speed as some of his illustrious relatives, but he has plenty of class and is open to improvement as a four-year-old, particularly following a gelding operation.
Officially the second-highest rated runner, just 6lb behind Emit, he benefits from a 5lb claim from his jockey. All three of his wins have come on left-handed tracks, which is a slight concern, but his in-form trainer has identified this race as a target in a recent stable tour, and he also holds an entry in the Group 2 Yorkshire Cup.
He should run a big race.
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The analytical piece was prepared by Emmet Kennedy — Presenter, Producer, and Owner of The Final Furlong Podcast, Broadcaster with TalkSPORT, and Broadcast Consultant — with the support of 1xBet Ireland.
1XBET AND TERMINUS PLATFORM IRELAND LIMITED DO NOT SPONSOR ANY OF THE EVENTS ABOVE AND HAVE NO PARTNERSHIP WITH ASSOCIATED SPORTS LEAGUES AND/OR ASSOCIATIONS.
