Gary O'Brien: My tips for every race on Sunday at the Curragh
30 Jun
Horse Racing
Gary O'Brien
The Irish racing broadcaster makes his selections for day three of the Irish Derby Festival at the Curragh, including one in the big race of the day.

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13:50

It’s a cracking race to start us off on Sunday, with some really talented types in it. I’m looking forward to seeing the battle between BUCANERO FUERTE 2/1 and Unquestionable.

My preference is for the former, who ran well in what looked a good Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot. If that hasn’t taken it out of him, I think he’ll be bang there. It’s going to be a good race, regardless.

14:25

COMMANCHE FALLS 11/8 looked back to his best in the Duke Of York Stakes last time. On the best of his form, he’s the one to beat. He’s got some solid form in the book but just needs to come back to his peak.

Tango Flare 12/1 is one who could have more to give, but this is a big step up.

15:00

There’s a strong British challenge that all need massive respect, but I think RUN RAN RUN 6/1 could run away with this. He’s a horse who is learning on the job but is obviously pretty smart. He’s still well-handicapped in my book and, with a bigger field and a better pace to aim at, he could improve again.

15:40

My view on the Irish Derby is that while the favourite Auguste Rodin is clearly a good horse, I’m not sure he’s that far clear of Sprewell and White Birch. White Birch can be tricky, but if he’s on his best behaviour he could run a big race.

I still think SPREWELL 11/2 is the bet in the race. He didn’t get to show what he could do at Epsom, but this track is slightly fairer so I think he’ll get closer to the favourite.

16:15

It all revolves around CHAZZESMEE SP for me. He sluiced up at Naas last time and, although you might wonder why he hasn’t run since, I would suggest that they have kept him for a big prize pot. This €100,000 prize is just that!

16:50

SHEYYA SP might not have been the easiest horse to train, but I’m convinced she has ability. I was impressed with her debut win at Leopardstown and thought she would go on from that.

There was a good bit of time until her next run, which suggests it might not have been straightforward to get here there and she didn’t run as expected, nor did she on her final start. The upshot is that her mark might be exploitable, so I’ll take a chance that she could just be too good.

17:25

The Celebration Stakes looks a tidy race. Tarawa could be very tough to beat after this big drop in class, but I like LORD MASSUSUS SP. There was talk about a possible tilt at the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot after his last win, but they’ve kept him at home for this instead. He’s improving and could still end up on a mark a fair bit higher than his current one.

18:00

CHALLY CHUTE SP was very progressive at the back end of last season and will have been in plenty of trackers coming into this season. He was well on his first run back this year, which would have put him spot on for this. This race was very possibly his long-term target and he can get back to winning ways here.