The first race of the day on Sunday at The Curragh is the seven furlong Maiden and Iowa for Aidan O'Brien looks a typical improver for the yard.
The juvenile has only had one start to date finishing sixth of nine runners but the form of that maiden has stacked up since with most of the horses ahead of him running well in better races than that.
O'Brien's horses are known for coming on a bunch for their first runs and getting slightly better ground this time out should see him go well.
| Date | Course | Distance | Type | Weight | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 31/07/21 | GAL | 12 | Gd | 8-6 | 11 |
| 23/07/21 | DRO | 13.5 | GF | 9-1 | 4 |
| 08/07/21 | LEO | 13 | Gd | 8-10 | 2 |
| 19/06/21 | DRO | 12.5 | Gd | 8-12 | 1 |
| 30/05/21 | NAV | 10 | Y | 8-8 | 4 |
The feature race of the day is the Group One Keeneland Phoenix State and we believe this seasons renewal will be going to the British raider The Lir Jet.
The two year old bounced onto the racing scene this season when breaking the track record at Yarmouth in a five furlong event.
He was then entered into the Group Two Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot, having just been bought by Qatar Racing and he went on to land the contest, just pipping American raider Golden Pal on the line.
He was last seen on Sunday at Chantilly in the small fielded six-furlong Prix Robert Papin and although suffering his first defeat of his career, he only went down by a short head to the Richard Hannon trained Ventura Tormenta.
We believe he can reverse that form line and he should be in the frame.
| Date | Course | Distance | Type | Weight | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 09/04/22 | KEE | 5.5 | Gd | 8-12 | 5 |
| 11/09/21 | KND | 6.5 | Fm | 8-12 | 1 |
| 26/06/21 | NMK | 7 | GF | 8-10 | 6 |
| 18/06/21 | ASC | 6 | Hy | 9-0 | 7 |
| 22/05/21 | HAY | 6 | Hy | 9-0 | 10 |
The other big race on the Curragh card is the Group Three Phoenix Sprint Stakes and the filly getting weight that makes appeal is Millisle for Jessica Harrington.
This three year old as a juvenile was a superstar winning at the Curragh over five furlongs then stepping up to six furlongs for the Group One Cheveley Park Stakes and landing the race in good style.
As a three year old she has taken time to get back to the same level with poor runs in good company but last time out in a Group Three at Naas she got back to her best to land the Ballyogan Stakes and if improving again should go close in this similar event.
| Date | Course | Distance | Type | Weight | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10/10/20 | NMK | 6 | Sft | 9-5 | 5 |
| 09/08/20 | CUR | 6 | Gd/Y | 9-5 | 6 |
| 22/07/20 | NAA | 6 | Gd | 9-5 | 1 |
| 04/07/20 | NAA | 6 | Y/Sft | 9-5 | 2 |
| 19/06/20 | ASC | 6 | GS | 8-11 | 5 |
Another Maiden comes next and this time over five furlongs for the sprinters and the most unexposed horse in the field is the Kevin Predergast trained Mudawy.
The three year old has only been seen once on a racecourse and it came over course and distance at The Curragh where he finished a bold fifth of 17.
The son of Dark Angel should improve for that run and Prendergast could have another smart sprinter for Hamdan Al Maktoum but he must go on to win this if he is to be a good horse for the future.
| Date | Course | Distance | Type | Weight | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25/06/21 | CUR | 7 | Gd | 9-9 | 9 |
| 12/06/21 | LIM | 6.5 | Gd | 9-12 | 2 |
| 05/06/21 | LIS | 6.5 | Sft | 9-9 | 2 |
| 11/05/21 | KLN | 8 | Sft | 9-9 | 5 |
| 24/04/21 | LIM | 8 | Gd | 9-9 | 2 |
The one mile Fillies Maiden sees a big field head to post but our selection is due a big win and if there was any race it was going to happen its this one.
So Wonderful for Aidan O'Brien somehow is still without a win during her career, placing in Group Three and Group One company but never being able to get her nose in front.
However, after two smart performances in maiden company last time out she is in pole position to break her maiden in this weak event.
| Date | Course | Distance | Type | Weight | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 12/09/20 | LEO | 8 | Gd | 9-2 | 7 |
| 21/08/20 | KLN | 8 | Hy | 9-0 | 1 |
| 09/08/20 | CUR | 8 | Gd/Y | 9-2 | 1 |
| 03/08/20 | NAA | 7 | Y | 9-2 | 2 |
| 25/07/20 | GOW | 8 | Y | 9-2 | 2 |
The final selection of the day comes in the Guinness Handicap over a mile and Protagonist for Jessica Harrington looks to be a three year old going in the right direction.
The gelding this season has raced three times landing his first two events in good style but had a blip last time out in a Premier Handicap at Navan.
If getting back to his best in conditions he is comfortable with, he looks a nice each way price to get behind.
| Date | Course | Distance | Type | Weight | Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 15/04/23 | RAN | 10 | Sft | 9-2 | 14 |
| 01/04/23 | RAN | 8 | Hy | 7-12 | 12 |
| 11/03/23 | RSH | 10 | Gd | 8-9 | 1 |
| 08/10/22 | YOR | 10.5 | GS | 9-5 | 2 |
| 24/09/22 | NMK | 9 | Gd | 8-13 | 10 |
