Curragh Sunday Preview - 23/07/23

The first selection of the afternoon at the Curragh comes in the feature Group Two Romanised Minstrel Stakes on Sunday and we are siding with the filly Jumbly for Joseph O'Brien.

Having been a smart horse for Harry & Roger Charlton landing the Group Three Valiant Stakes over course and distance in July last year, she has since moved over to Ireland for Joseph O'Brien.

Being seen once to date after almost 10 months off, she made a pleasing yard debut when second to the smart Just Beautiful in the Group Two Lanwades Stud Stakes.

Sent to Royal Ascot when last seen she came with a big challenge in the Group Two Duke Of Cambridge Stakes over a mile but petered out in the final furlong which suggests the drop to 7f on soft ground will suit her down to the ground and for that reason she is worth one last chance.

Next up at the Curragh is the 1m2f Handicap and the horse that takes the eye on debut in this sphere is the Johnny Murtagh trained Take Heart.

Making his debut at Dundalk over a mile when finishing a close third behind two fair horses in a maiden, he then went over the same course and distance in March and got off the mark in very taking style.

Given a mark of 80 for his handicap debut could be lenient for a yard that thrives with these types of horses and having the pedigree to suggest the step up to 1m2f will suit he looks very interesting.

Another big race on Sunday in Ireland is the Group Three Michael John Kennedy Memorial Stakes over 1m1f and we are giving another chance to the Jessica Harrington trained Village Voice.

A decent juvenile last term making her debut at Thurles in October over a mile when getting off the mark in fine style, learning with every stride.

She was then sent to Leopardstown over 9f on her final start as a two year old and finished a fair third in the Group Three Eyrefield Stakes.

Back as a three year old this term she was upped in trip straight away when handling the heavy ground well to land the Listed Salsabil Stakes at Navan over 10f, seeing off the smart Jackie Oh.

Upped to 1m4f at Royal Ascot in the Group Two Ribblesdale Stakes and although running a fair race to finish mid-field she ultimately did not stay the trip on ground quicker than she likes.

Back on a softer surface and down to a more preferred trip, she has no excuses and should go close.

The penultimate selection of the afternoon comes in the 5f Dash Handicap and with the rain set to fall it will suit the chances of the Jessica Harrington trained Polar Bear.

A soft ground specialist showing that at the back end of last term when landing a 2yo Maiden at Naas by four lengths on his first run on soft ground.

Starting this term on heavy ground at Bellewstown in April he landed a decent 5f event, again the ground playing to his strengths.

Since then he has been seen twice more, finishing third of 10 at Naas in a competitive handicap behind the progressive Lord Massusus, but last time out at the Curragh over 7f on good ground, the conditiond went against him and the rise in trip also did not suit.

Back down to his preferred 5f on soft ground makes him a player off a 4lb lower mark than when last seen.

The final selection of the afternoon is the Jessica Harrington trained Feathertop in the 1m4f Maiden and this filly looks the pick on form.

Seen just once to date at Gowran Park on yielding ground she went on to finish a fair third behind a decent type for Joseph O'Brien, keeping on all the way to the line.

She is seriously unexposed, definitely gets the trip and should come on a bunch for that first experience.