Jane Mangan’s William Hill blog: Irish Cesarewitch Day preview

William Hill ambassador Jane Mangan talks us through her Irish Cesarewitch day picks at the Curragh.

Sunday, Curragh

It is Irish Cesarewitch Day at the Curragh, and I’d like to begin with the feature race (4.25pm). There’s a massive field of 30 runners, and I quite fancy My Mate Mozzie trained by Gavin Cromwell. Cromwell has already claimed the feature event at Listowel this week with Flooring Porter, and I reckon he can take the feature Irish Flat race this weekend as well. The horse has placed in the Galway Hurdle twice, and he ran a good third in the Copper Horse Handicap at Royal Ascot in June. Although he was a bit disappointing in the Ebor, he’s been left off a very favourable mark of 98, in my view. Gary Carroll, his usual rider, is aboard again with a very fair racing weight, and I think he can run a big race here.

In the first race, the one mile and one furlong maiden (1:30 pm), it’s hard to see past Team Ballydoyle, as usual in a maiden at the Curragh, however I was very impressed with Deetee’s debut over a mile at the Curragh last month where he was eye-catching, staying on behind Acapulco Bay and Genealogy. Billy Lee keeps the ride after the horse was sent off at 40/1 on debut, where he ran a cracking race. Any natural progression from that run should see him go close here.

Next, we have another maiden (2:05 pm), this time over seven furlongs, and I think this looks a good opportunity for Aftermath to gain his first success, after two strong runs in the UK. He looked promising on debut at Newbury and then stepped up in class to the Group 2 Champagne Stakes at Doncaster, where he was beaten by three lengths into third – this is by far the standout piece of form in this race. Dropping back into maiden company should give him an excellent chance to get off the mark.

An interesting field has been assembled next in the Group 3 Weld Park Stakes (2:40 pm). Alla Stella, trained by Sir Mark Prescott, will wear cheekpieces for the first time after finishing behind Dreamy. She should improve for the application of headgear, but Fiery Lucy looks the one to beat. While the cheekpieces might help Alla Stella find some improvement, Fiery Lucy seems the more reliable sort for Gavin Cromwell. The yard’s in great form, and her run at Naas behind Heaven’s Gate was very promising. I reckon today could be her day.

The Renaissance Stakes (3:15 pm) looks tailor-made for My Mate Alfie. His rating of 113 sets the standard following a telling victory of a valuable sprint handicap at Irish Champions Weekend, where he had the beating of Torivega who reopposes here. The selection has acquitted himself well in Group company and I think this looks a great opportunity to gain his first group success.