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THE Irish Oaks (Curragh, 3.40) is the feature race of the day and most eyes will be on the Aidan O’Brien-trained Port Fairy following her game success in the Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot. The first time visor did the trick on that occasion, but I am not so sure she has much if anything in hand on a number of her 13 rivals and the call is the still unexposed GALILEO DAME.
She looked a real eye catcher to me when coming home nicely to finish fourth in the Cheshire Oaks at Chester, but then for some reason, Joseph O’Brien dropped her down to an extended nine furlongs for the Gowran Classic and she predictably didn’t have the pace to deal with Fleur De Chine, despite keeping on stoutly down the final lane.
This will be her first run over a mile and a half (Chester was half a furlong shorter) and yes she has a lot to find on official figures, but I expect this galloping 12 furlongs to bring out the very best in her on only her fifth career start. Of those behind the Ballydoyle favourite, I have the most regard for Lope De Lilas who looks as though she too will benefit hugely from the extra yardage here.
I love the big field, Premier handicaps in Ireland and this six furlong event at 2.35 looks an absolute corker. Old boy Big Gossey is looking nicely handicapped now, but may well be better over a wee bit further. However, a real end to end gallop looks sure to bring his stamina into play and he should reach the first five. However, my marginal preference is for the equally well treated RAHMI.
He didn’t get much luck in the run from about two and a half furlongs out over the course and distance last time out. He gets a chance to run off the same mark here and if the first time blinkers have the desired effect, he could run well at a double figure price.
Following her win in the Sprint Stakes, Makarova will be popular in the Group Two Sapphire Stakes due off at 3.05. She looks sure to go close here and is the main danger to the three-year-old BEAUTIFUL DIAMOND.
Karl Burke’s charge dead heated in the Land O’Burns at Ayr and as long as there isn’t too much rain, I fancy her to prove too quick for her eight rivals.
The only other race I want to play in on the card is the Group Two International Curragh Cup over a mile and three quarters at 4.15. Tower of London ran well below his best in the Yorkshire Cup in May and this is easier, while Vauban simply didn’t get home in the two-and-a-half mile Ascot Gold Cup and both will have their supporters and should dominate the market place, but the each-way value here could come in the form of the very lightly raced KINESIOLOGY.
Jessie Harrington’s charge produced a personal best last time out when getting to within a neck of Portland in the Listed King George V Cup. An extra two furlongs should aid him here and a big run could see him emerge into the St Leger picture in September for which he is currently quoted as big as 50/1 at the moment.
The two-year-old Super Sprint (Newbury, 3.35) looks as difficult as ever to dissect this year with the bookmakers likely to be offering at least 5/1 the field. At around 25/1, Irish raider DO IT NOW is the call for me. He showed plenty of toe when making all in a Ripon maiden last time out after running well in a fair novice at Musselburgh, even though those behind him have rather let the form down since.
A good draw in box number 16 looks a lovely position for this son of Bungle Inthejungle and he gets the each-way nod over the likes of Kaadi (would need some rain) and the well regarded Pont Neuf. The last named rattled off victories at Kempton Park and Salisbury before finding the Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot too hot to handle, and he may well be worth a saver behind the selection.
Despite only finishing 11th of 13 in the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes at the Royal meeting, QUINAULT ran well until backing out inside the final furlong that day. The two days of sunshine leading up the Hackwood Stakes at 3.00 will be in his favour, and as long as the ground stays on top with the forecast showers this afternoon, he could massively outrun his price of around 25/1. Last year’s winner Commanche Falls strikes me as a bigger danger than Regional after his last two runs at Listed level, finishing his races off nicely on both occasions.
The Handicap (2.25) over a mile and three quarters looks a cracking class two race with the likes of Naqeeb, Kyle of Lochalsh and Prydwen all with obvious claims at the top of the market place. However, at around 25/1 SPIRIT MIXER could hugely outrun his odds.
I thought he ran a cracking race from off the pace when a never nearer ninth of 20 in the Northumberland Plate at Newcastle. Rated as high as 100 in his prime, I fancy him big time here off a mark of 88 and he is made the each-way pick.
There is some cracking national hunt racing at Market Rasen with the feature being the Summer Plate Handicap Chase at 3.15 with Al Zaraqaan heading a field of 16 off a rating of 138. The forecast rains are expected just before this race so he could still have his chance, but in receipt of 8lbs the Nicky Richards-trained PARISENCORE could improve again on his strong running success at Perth last time out when he travelled very strongly through the race. Raised a mere 3lbs for that success this is his first run over this distance for the eight-year-old.
