Curragh Saturday Preview - 18/07/20

The first runner on Saturday at the Curragh for us is the Aidan O'Brien trained Wembley who impressed on debut and knowing the Ballydoyle Maestro's youngsters, they always come on for the run.

The juvenile finished a bold third behind stablemate Hudson River who looked a class act for the yard and he has since gone on to contest in Group Two company.

This field does look to have some bright newcomers and some unknown entities but on the balance on whats been shown so far, Wembley is the one to beat.

There is plenty of Group action on the card in Ireland and we move straight into the Group Two Curragh Cup and Joseph O'Brien has two strong chances in this event.

The one we are going with is last time out winner Twilight Payment, who got back to winning ways in fine style over course and distance at the Curragh.

That came in a Group Three and although stepping up in class he has competed at this level frequently and the way he stayed on at the line suggests how good a stayer he still is at the age of seven.

We have skipped the third race with it being a minefield and we move straight onto the Group Two Minstrel Stakes Where last year's winner Romanised will be tough to pass.

The now five year old is known for going well fresh, having won this event last season having not raced since October and we believe he will come back in the same form.

Lancaster House is the worry to him but having Group One proven form over the last few years we feel he may be the classier selection.

The big fielded Scurry Handicap over six furlongs sees 17 runners head to post and with plenty of each way angles in the field we have two selections.

The first horse at a slightly shorter price is Ice Cold Alex who has a great record in theses sorts of events hitting the crossbar on a few occasions.

He has been running over further this season and now dropping to his preferred trip the 10/1 on offer looks good value.

At a slightly bigger price is the Edward Lynam trained Romantic Proposal, who showed plenty of ability last season rounding of the year with back to back wins at Cork.

Since then the four year old filly has made her seasonal return over seven furlongs at the Curragh and finished a decent sixth in a similar event.

She is another that will benefit for the drop down in trip and it would not be surprise to see her improve from her debut run.

The Group Two Railway Stakes over the years has thrown out some superb winners and looking at the field it should not be any different this year.

Aidan O'Brien holds two entries and the one that stands out is Merchants Quay, who has been ultra consistent on both his outings to date.

He made his debut at the start of June over five furlongs at the Curragh and finished a nice second behind stablemate Admiral Nelson.

He then used that experience to improve and land a maiden over course and distance and it would be no surprise to see him back that run up.

The favourite for the Group One Irish Oaks on Saturday is the Jessica Harrington trained Cayenne Pepper who looks to have a superb chance.

The yard have been in fine form on the flat since the start of the season and this three year old filly has a very progressive profile.

Having been a smart juvenile landing a hat-trick of wins at the beginning of her career, she then gave a bold showing when stepping up to Group One company for the first time, finishing fourth in the Fillies Mile at Newmarket.

That form has gone on to be franked with Love winning the 1000 Guineas and Epsom Oaks since then.

Cayenne Pepper made a very good return to racing this season with a second behind Magical in the Group One Pretty Polly Stakes and the extra trip at the weekend will suit her well.

The final runner of the day for us comes in the Ladies Derby Handicap and Tonkinese for Joseph O'Brien should not be all that far away on form.

The seven year old gelding has shown plenty of ability on his last two starts, finishing second at Fairyhouse on his first run of the season.

He then improved from that to land the Apprentice Derby over course and distance and although up 7lb in the weights he can go well again.