Curragh Sunday Preview - 17/07/22

The first selection of the afternoon from the Curragh comes in the feature Group Two Minstrel Stakes over seven furlongs and we can't look past the favourite Order Of Australia.

Massively clear on ratings heading into this race having performed well in Group One and Two races over 7f to a mile during his career, with his crowning moment coming in November 2020 when landing the Breeders Cup Mile at Keeneland.

A very consistent performer last season, he landed this event last year with ease on his second start of the season and then went on to place in the Group One Prix Jacques Le Marois behind Palace Pier and Poetic Flare and then second on the Prix Du Moulin behind Baaeed.

Looking to retain his Breeders Cup title he finished last of the 12 on his final start of last year, but back this season for a new campaign he bounced back to form when third at Royal Ascot in the G1 Queen Anne Stakes behind Baaeed again and Real World.

Dropping into Group Two company, into the race he was last seen winning, he holds leading claims once more.

The first Handicap event of the afternoon comes in this event over 1m2f and the horse that takes the eye is the Jim Bolger trained Nectarine.

The three year old was used frequently as a juvenile last term and has already been seen five times this season and now stepped up in trip seems to be much more comfortable.

Running three times at the start of the term at 10 furlongs he put up some nice frame performances, he was then sent into the Apprentice Derby over 1m4f and didn't really get involved but last time out he got back to winning ways at Fairyhouse when bolting up by close to 10 lengths.

Up 12lb for that his margin of victory suggests he could be a nice horse over further trips and he deserves his chance in this one.

Another decent Handicap event comes next and it sees the Fillies battle it out over a mile and Miss Mirabell for Johnny Murtagh looks very interesting.

Making her handicap debut last time out over course and distance she finished a superb third behind two smart rivals and she would have learnt a lot for the experience.

She has two runs prior to that, with the daughter of Footstepsinthesand making her debut on soft ground at Gowran when finishing fifth and needing the run

Having learnt a lot for that run she got off the mark next time out over the same course and distance, bolting up by five lengths in a Fillies & Mares Maiden.

Big player off the same mark in what looks an easier race than her last.

The penultimate selection of the afternoon comes in another one of the big races of the afternoon the Group Two Kilboy Estate Stakes and Purplepay although not a huge fan of soft ground might just have too much class for these.

Bought by Lael Stud having won three of her five events in France she looks a very nice prospect for a thriving yard.

She was seen on her final start last term finishing a close third in the Group One Criterium International Behind Angel Bleu and Ancient Rome.

Given to Haggas this term she has been seen twice more, running at the Curragh over a mile in the Irish 1000 Guineas when running on well into sixth but not enjoying the good ground.

Next time out when sent back over to France at Chantilly she took the Group Two Prix de Sandringham with any amount in hand.

Seen at the Curragh over 10f last time out she finished a close up fifth in the Group One Pretty Polly Stakes behind the likes of La Petite Coco, My Astra, Thunder Kiss and Concert Hall.

Way ahead on ratings.

The final event we have a pick in on the Sunday afternoon from Ireland is the 1m4f Maiden and Over The Rainbow for Aidan O'Brien looks to have been given a perfect opportunity to get off the mark.

The three year old filly is beautifully bred out of Seventh Heaven and is a daughter to Dubawi with her pedigree suggesting the 1m4f trip will be perfect for her.

Making her debut at the start of June over course and distance she was a good second behind Fennela who ran in the Irish Oaks on Saturday.

Sure to improve for that run and holding the best form in the race, It would be a big surprise to not see this horse get off the mark.