LiveScore Racing Preview: Curragh, June 27, 2021
There are three Group races at the Curragh on this brilliant Sunday afternoon card, including the Group One Pretty Polly Stakes.
And we have picked out five horses for you to follow.
1.30pm - Barronstown Stud Irish EBF Maiden (7f)
None of the runners in this maiden contest have as much experience as SHINKANSEN. This will be the colt's fourth start on the track now so he knows what it is all about.
Donnacha O'Brien's runner has improved with each outing. The son of Caravaggio finished second behind Albion Square at Navan (5f) last time out.
He is now stepping up in trip and this extra distance might just be appreciated in his bid to lose his maiden tag.
LiveScore Selection: Shinkansen
2pm - Airlie Stud Stakes (6f - Group 2)
On the basis of her last run, where she finished third in a huge field in the Group Two Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot, CHEERUPSLEEPYJEAN is the one to beat in this sprint contest for fillies.
That was a performance which was not expected by many as she was a 50/1 shot for the Group Two race.
Velocidad and Yet are both interesting fillies who could end up being quite smart.
It is hard to look past Cheerupsleepyjean's run at the royal meeting though, as that suggests she could be one of the best young sprinters in the UK and Ireland.
LiveScore Selection: Cheerupsleepyjean
3.05pm - Paddy Power Rockingham Handicap (5f)
Since switching to David Barron's yard last month, ZARZYNI has gone close on both of his two outings.
He hit the frame over 6f at Wolverhampton and then was just a short head behind the winner in second place over this distance at Musselburgh.
This is a course the four-year-old gelding knows well as he has featured here twice before.
He has gone up 4lb in the weights but he remains off a mark, which gives him a good chance of landing the second success of his career.
LiveScore Selection: Zarzyni
3.40pm Pretty Polly Stakes (1m2f - Group 1)
Once again Santa Barbara goes into a Group One contest with strong hopes, despite her only success so far coming in a maiden contest last September.
She ran a really good race at Newmarket in the 1000 Guineas but then was a long way behind Snowfall in the Oaks.
In time, it is likely Santa Barba will prove to be a good filly for Aidan O'Brien but she may have to settle for one of the minor honours in this race.
The older THUNDERING NIGHTS is a proven operator at this level. She was denied by just a nose in the Grade Two New York Stakes on her last outing in the USA.
The four-year-old can go one place better on her return to Ireland.
LiveScore Selection: Thundering Nights
4.10pm - Comer Group International Curragh Cup (1m6f - Group 2)
It was a busy campaign for PASSION in 2020 and one in which she proved herself to be at the top end of the pecking order when it comes to the leading fillies and mares.
Aidan O'Brien's runner ended the season by finishing third in the Group One Fillies and Mares Stakes at Ascot.
The four-year-old is stepping up in trip again but she has won over this distance before so there should be no concerns about her stamina.
She will receive weight from many of her rivals in the race due to the fillies' allowance so it gives her a great chance to make a winning return.
LiveScore Selection: Passion