William Hill ambassador Jane Mangan is back with her best bets for Irish Oaks Day at the Curragh this Saturday.
Curragh, Saturday
The opening maiden (1:30pm) over seven furlongs has been won by some very good horses in recent years. The Lion In Winter won it last year, Henry Longfellow the year before, and in 2020 the race went to Irish Guineas winner Mac Swiney. There are some well-bred debutants lining up this time around, and I think New Zealand can put his experience from Guineas weekend to good use. He is the choice of Ryan Moore and, despite being well beaten by Dorset on debut, his stablemate Benvenuto Cellini, who finished second that day, has subsequently won. Given Ryan Moore’s confidence in taking the ride, he’s the one I have to side with in the opener.
The Scurry Handicap (2:00pm) over six furlongs is next, with a field of 16 going to post. I think Johnny Feane has a good chance with Greek Flower. She’s off a featherweight with Rory Mulligan claiming a handy seven pounds. She ran well last time in the Rockingham, despite meeting interference in running. She’s a filly who will be coming from off the pace and I think she’ll be an each-way price. She has a big race in her, and this might just be it.
The Group Two Railway Stakes (2:35pm) has been moved from Irish Derby weekend to Saturday’s Oaks card to give Royal Ascot runners more time to recover. We have two Ascot contenders here – True Love and Power Blue – and they make up half the field. It’s not a deep renewal, and a filly hasn’t won this race since Eva Luna in 1994. However, I think that trend will be broken with True Love. She was very good in the Queen Mary and is an exceptionally fast horse. Her run behind Coventry Stakes winner Gstaad at Navan over six furlongs looks strong now. True Love is odds-on, but she’s the one for me.
The Group Two Sapphire Stakes (3:05pm) is a high-quality sprint. Mgheera is likely to be popular with punters based on her Temple Stakes form at Haydock, but I think Powerful Nation is a top-class horse. He’s probably the best Irish sprinter in training, having progressed throughout the season, culminating in a good win at Cork last time. Last year, he showed immaturity, but he now looks to be running straight and true for the Slatterys. He’s a very exciting colt, and I’m backing Powerful Nation to prove himself against his elders.
The Classic is next – the Group One Irish Oaks (3:40pm) – and for me, it looks like Aidan O’Brien is almost certain to win it for the eighth time. This looks a straightforward affair for Minnie Hauk. She’s clear on ratings – six pounds ahead of Wemightakedlongway – and on all known form, this is her race to lose. A forecast is the only realistic approach, and I think it’s safe to say Wemightakedlongway is the second pick. On ratings and form, she’s the only real threat to the favourite. That’s how I see them finishing – Minnie Hauk to beat Wemightakedlongway. It’s a disappointing renewal, but it’s a Classic nonetheless – and it’s Minnie Hauk’s to lose.
The Group Two Curragh Cup (4:15pm) has attracted a field of nine runners, with several stepping up to the mile-and-three-quarter trip for the first time. A three-year-old hasn’t won this race since Flag Of Honour in 2018 – this looks one for the older horses. Al Riffa steps up in trip and is a fascinating contender, having run well in the Great Voltigeur at York. He’s shown strong ten-furlong form. I think the drop back from Group One level and the increase in distance is the exact combination to see him back in the winner’s enclosure.
The final race I’m previewing is a sprint nursery (4:50pm) for two-year-olds over six furlongs. I like Stop The Nation for Jack Davison. This colt is quick – his novice form is solid, having twice bumped into Lady Iman, a highly rated filly from Ger Lyons’ yard. His run behind Suzie Songs on Guineas weekend reads well too, with smart Ballydoyle horse Flushing Meadows finishing second. He makes his handicap debut here off a mark of 87, and I think he’s the one to beat.
