- Two days of quality racing coming up at the Curragh, including Irish Derby on Sunday 
- Bucanero Fuerte to win the GAIN Railway Stakes 
- Rahmi each-way in the Dubai Duty Free Derby Festival Handicap

A major weekend of racing action is coming at the Curragh as they stage the Irish Derby Festival, with the big race on Sunday afternoon one of seven at Pattern-race level across two days at the Kildare circuit.

All eyes of course are going to be trained on Auguste Rodin, the impressive winner of the Epsom version in June now bidding for a Derby double for Aidan O'Brien.

Auguste Rodin the star in Derby line-up

The Irish Derby could easily be run around Ballydoyle. 

Aidan O'Brien has no fewer than five of the nine contenders, while sons Joseph and Donnacha account for two more between them.

O'Brien Snr is seeking a record-extending 15th Irish Derby win, though it would be his first since 2020.

Following victory in the Derby at Epsom four weeks ago, Deep Impact colt Auguste Rodin bids to complete the double at the Curragh this weekend, a feat last achieved by Dermot Weld's Harzand in 2016.

After a flop in the Guineas at Newmarket, Auguste Rodin was questioned heading to Epsom but he produced a real flash of brilliance to power past King Of Steel late on and that rival has handsomely advertised the form in his Royal Ascot success since.

Perhaps the most unlikely of stats is that Ryan Moore has not yet won an Irish Derby. 

Both Joseph (Camelot and Australia) and Donnacha (Latrobe, for Joseph as trainer) steered home winners of this race but as yet Moore is winless as the likes of Padraig Beggy and Seamie Heffernan scored in 2019 and 2020 in the most recent Ballydoyle successes.

Peking Opera, Adelaide River, Covent Garden and San Antonio are the other contenders for Ballydoyle but they have a lot on their plate to stop this powerful stablemate.

So, too, the like of Proud And Regal for Donnacha and Up And Under for Joseph. 

Sprewell was fourth at Epsom for Jessica Harrington after getting a bit worked up pre-race and is a place contender, as is Epsom third White Birch for John Murphy but — on paper — there is only one winner of this Curragh Classic.

Best bet at the Curragh: Bucanero Fuerte to win the GAIN Railway Stakes (13:50, Sunday) @ SP

A good few of the contenders in this six-furlong Group 2 are arriving off the back of good efforts at Royal Ascot. 

In the Norfolk Stakes, His Majesty (fourth) finished ahead of Devious (sixth) when leading home his group on the near side but the Coventry Stakes was probably as good a 2YO race as we have seen thus far and BUCANERO FUERTE was an excelled close-up third in it.

The Wootton Bassett colt looked potentially smart in his debut win here in March and, with that experience 12 days ago sure to stand to him, looks primed for this now.

Best each-way bet at the Curragh: Rahmi each-way in the Dubai Duty Free Derby Festival Handicap (16:15, Sunday) @ SP

Johnny Murtagh's French import was soundly beaten on Irish debut at Limerick over a mile on soft ground in April but took a big step forward from that when defeating the winner Dunum by a nose over this C&D a month later on good ground. 

A 4lb rise for that win here five weeks ago looks very fair and with Ben Coen taking over in the saddle, this lightly-raced 4YO has an excellent ally for this competitive mile event.

Irish Derby Weekend Acca

Two days of great racing lies ahead from the Co Kildare headquarters of Irish racing and our weekend accumulator at the Curragh is below, paying out at around 12/1.

Bet 1: Back Matrika to win the Airlie Stud Stakes (14:15, Saturday) @ 4/9

No Nay Never filly was just touched off in the Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot when denied by an inspired Frankie Dettori ride having led at the furlong-pole. Will take some halting with a repeat.

Bet 2: Back Al Riffa to win the International Stakes (16:00, Saturday) @ 11/10

Wootton Bassett colt was a top-notcher last season at two, atoning for debut defeat here by winning twice over 7f, including the Group 1 National Stakes in September. Very much the type to do better this season as his stamina is teased out.

Bet 3: Back Bucanero Fuerte to win the GAIN Railway Stakes (13:50, Sunday) @ SP

Clear with two smart sorts in the Coventry at Royal Ascot 12 days ago, having previously looked a classy colt when winning an early-season 5f maiden on testing ground here in March. Handled faster surface in England no problem and that run should bring him on plenty.

Bet 4: Back Auguste Rodin to win the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby (15:40, Sunday) @ 2/5

Disappointed in the Guineas at Newmarket in May but banished memories of that effort with stylish display at Epsom four weeks ago, overhauling subsequent Royal Ascot winner King Of Steel as he pulled the race from the fire ultimately with something to spare. Sets a high bar now.