Visit Betway's horse racing betting page.
SATURDAY
15:10
I do like GO ATHLETICO 9/2 in the Group 3 Sapphire Stakes. You’ve got to respect Art Power every time he comes over from England, but I was impressed with Ado McGuinness’s gelding last time. It was his first run for two months since moving over from France, so you’d expect there could be more to come. He’s got plenty of form on easy ground and I’d say he’ll be a good each-way bet at the prices.
15:45
The Irish Oaks is the feature race of the day, and it looks another competitive running. I’m going to take a fly on AZAZAT 10/1 at a big price. She was favourite to beat Savethelastdance in a maiden earlier this season, and wasn’t beaten too far before she beat some colts to shed her maiden tag. She was a good second to an older, 110-rated filly in Rosscarbery last time, which was a very good performance. Dermot Weld has some good fillies in his yard this year, so he’ll have a good stick on whether she’s up to this task or not.
16:20
The Curragh Cup looks a really good renewal. Rosscarbery ran well in the Pretty Polly last time, despite traffic problems, but I think there’s value in YASHIN SP, who won the Saval Beg Stakes at Leopardstown last time. He didn’t get to truly show what he was fully capable of last year and he was unlucky on his last two runs of the campaign. He did well to win on his first try over 1m6f and there could be more to come. If the ground got very testing, I’d question whether he’d run, but he should cope with a little ease.
SUNDAY
14:30
There are several interesting newcomers in the 14:30 but I think KORTEZ BAY sets a really good standard. He’s finished fourth on both starts and caught the eye on both occasions. He stayed on nicely last time at the Curragh behind Mountain Bear, and he should give another solid account of himself here.
15:00
The Group 2 Minstrel Stakes is another good edition. Jumbly was slightly disappointing at Royal Ascot, so she’s on a retrieval mission. LORD MASSUSUS was given too much to do last time, and I was surprised with how well he finished the race. Back down to 7f, I’d say he’s likely to be ridden closer to the pace, which should give him less risk of running into trouble and is one I’d say could be better than his current mark.
15:30
Mr King – who was strongly fancied when he won last time and hasn’t been harshly treated by the handicapper – is the one to beat, but I think SLIEVE BINNIAN needs marking up on his run last time and is one to keep on side of. The form of that race is working out very well, with a couple of winners and a few others going close, so I think he’s worth chancing, especially at a likely decent each-way price.