LiveScore Racing Preview: Curragh, July 18, 2021
A brace of Group 2 events are to come on Sunday — namely the Romanised Minstrel Stakes at 2.10pm and the Kilboy Estate Stakes at 3.55pm.
They are part of an eight-race Curragh offering, running from 1.35pm until 5.30pm.
There is lots to look forward to at Ireland's Flat-racing HQ and we have picked five horses to follow.
2.10pm - Romanised Minstrel Stakes (Group 2, 7f)
Last year's Breeders' Cup Mile winner Order Of Australia will be popular here despite failing to shine on his return in the Queen Anne at Royal Ascot.
He drops out of Group 1 company and reverts to 7f now, so he is entitled to big claims, but it is worth recalling it was September and his fourth run before he found the target last season.
He has got to concede 10lb to promising 3YOs ACE AUSSIE and Power Under Me today and Jessica Harrington's colt is a worthy adversary based on his second to subsequent 2000 Guineas/St James's Palace Stakes hero Poetic Flare at Leopardstown in April.
He did not quite last home over a mile since at the Foxrock track but should go well back in trip.
LiveScore Selection: Ace Aussie
3.20pm - Irish Stallion Farms Ebf Fillies Handicap (1m)
Sindhia and Mia Mento were first and second over 7f here at the Derby Meeting last month, the Jessica Harrington-trained runner-up perhaps a shade unfortunate having been hampered on the rail inside the final 150-yards.
They have got valid claims again but so, too, does CELTIC CROWN for John Murphy.
He won with plenty in hand at Killarney earlier in the week under Colin Keane and the penalty he carries for that victory is offset by experienced claimer Cian McRedmond taking over.
LiveScore Selection: Celtic Crown
3.55pm - Kilboy Estate Stakes (Group 2, 1m1f)
There is a slight question to be answered for CREATE BELIEF on this good ground but Johnny Murtagh's impressive Royal Ascot winner is probably worth giving the benefit of the doubt.
She was utterly dominant in the Sandringham (1m, heavy) last time, blitzing a strong field by more than five lengths and doing so off a mark of 97.
Her new perch (110) more than entitles her to be a Group-horse and it is probable there is more to come from the Awtaad filly.
Roger Varian's raider Angel Power ended last season all guns blazing, winning three times including a Newmarket Group 3 in October.
But she has been off since and a few of these may catch her out on seasonal bow.
LiveScore Selection: Create Belief
4.30pm - Cavalor Equine Nutrition Maiden (1m4f)
ZAYNUDIN twice finished third in as many starts in the spring for Mick Halford and is expected to make it third time lucky having relocated to Joseph O'Brien's yard since.
The form of those efforts at Dundalk and here (1m2f, good) has been handsomely advertised by winners Sir Lamorak and Wordsworth since.
The latter is thrice-placed in Group 1 & 2 company this summer and it is unlikely anything of that quality lurks in this field.
With the step up in trip another positive, the Fastnet Rock gelding should get off to a perfect start for new connections.
LiveScore Selection: Zaynudin
5pm - Sycamore Lodge Equine Hospital Handicap (1m2f)
Sheila Lavery's filly MODDY PODDLE has returned an improved model as a 3YO.
She knocked on the door at Gowran Park (7f) in May after a lay-off but has really found her feet since after going up in trip.
She was placed in a 20-runner Leopardstown handicap over this trip in early June and opened her account 10 days later at Gowran Park in pleasing fashion.
She is 8lb higher in the ratings but has more to come and can again take advantage of the weight she gets from the boys.
LiveScore Selection: Moddy Poddle