Curragh Irish Derby Day Preview

The first race of the day at the Curragh on Saturday is a Maiden over 1 mile 2 furlongs and Kevin Prendergast has a very interesting newcomer for the inform owner Hamdan Al Maktoum.

Musahaba is having his first start in his career and he looks to have a very classy pedigree being a half brother to Royal Ascot Duke Of Cambridge Stakes winner Nazeef.

The three year old is a son of new sire Muhaarar and out of a mare by Dubawi and if taking to this trip straight away could be a very exciting addition to the Prendergast team.

The first Group race of the day see the Alleged Stakes over 1 mile 2 furlongs and Sir Dragonet is being turned around quickly for Aidan O'Brien.

The four year old colt holds bundles of ability but has failed to show it of late with it being over a year since his last win in the Chester Vase.

However, with the rain due to fall at the Curragh ahead of the race and his strong second in the Listed Wolferton Stakes at Royal Ascot, he seems to be heading back in the right direction.

The first big handicap of the day comes over six furlongs and Nullifier for the inform Ger Lyons yard takes our eye in this one.

The three year old colt is fairly unexposed compared to this field only running three times in his career and getting progressively better with every run.

He started his career off at Naas in a six furlong event finishing sixth of 14, he then improved over the same course and distance to grab third behind a nice Aidan O'Brien type.

The son of No Nay Never got off the mark at the third time of asking in October at Navan over five furlongs bu now more mature should handle going back to six furlongs.

The exciting Bowerman goes for us in the Listed Celebration Stakes over a mile and the Adrian McGuinness trained gelding looks a very progressive animal.

The six year old has been in stellar form since the turn of the year with four runs which have seen him win three of them and place in another.

Having been trialled at a mile and further it has shown that 8 furlongs is perfect for him and after putting in a career best performance over course and distance last time out when winning the Irish Lincolnshire, he looks the one to watch.

He is up in grade and in the weights but should be able to handle that being a fast improving horse.

The Dubai Duty Free Millennium Millionaire Handicap over seven furlongs sees another big field go to post and with that in mind we have two selections.

The first is the Edward Lynam trained Romantic Proposal who looks to be one of the most inform runners in the field and still a nice each way price.

With the rain set to fall on the Curragh this filly handles soft conditions having won at cork in those conditions last time out and before that she also landed a big fielded seven furlong event.

Seeking a hat-trick on her first start of the year makes the filly respected.

At a much bigger price for for Ger Lyons and Colin Keane we think Psychedelic Funk looks an interesting angle now dropping to a handy mark.

The six year old gelding over the years has won some smart races and last time out landed a seven furlong event at Leopardstown in soft conditions.

He goes off the same mark again today and having won off eight pounds higher in the past he could just be a handicap anomaly in the race.

The two year old sprinters feature in the next event and although Aidan O'Brien fields a decent team of runners we are siding with Ger Lyons again.

The Classic winning trainer has Frenetic go to post and this filly looks the pick of the bunch on form having one start and winning it nicely.

The youngster won at Navan over six furlongs showing plenty of speed and the form from that race has worked out well with the second going on to finish a decent third in the Group Three Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot.

The feature race of the day on Saturday is the Irish Derby and Aidan O'Brien is going in search of his 14th victory in the race and we believe he can land it with the favourite Santiago.

The three year old colt showed just how good he can be only eight days ago when landing the Group Two Queen's Vase Stakes at Royal Ascot.

He drops down two furlongs for this Group One event but that race looks the best form on offer and if not minding being turned around so quick he should land the spoils.

The final race of the afternoon in Ireland is the Group Three Vintage Crop Stakes over 1 mile 6 furlongs and Twilight Payment for Joseph O'Brien should go well.

The seven year old, although much older now still retains plenty of ability and having a run under his belt over this trip at Leopardstown last time out should see him fitter and stronger for this race.

He has course and distance form during his career at this track and having won with cut in the ground before he should handle conditions.