Curragh Tips Today: Best Bets In Ireland On Saturday

A look ahead to Saturday’s exciting card at the Curragh, with William Hill News working through all nine races at the Irish track.

The Irish Guineas Weekend gets underway on Saturday with a bumper nine race card, including the Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas. Our horse racing expert Steven Mullington makes a selection for the readers in every race:

1.20 – 6f Maiden

Trained by Jessica Harrington, SWITCHING SIDES is a Kodiac colt, foaled in early 2024.

Owned by the Newtown Anner Stud Farm and ridden by jockey Shane Foley, these connections often send some useful types to Harrington’s yard, so he’s worth an each-way play.

1.55 – 1m4f Orby Stakes (Listed Race)

Placed in the prestigious German Oaks NYRA (NAP) is very interesting in this line up.

Subsequently purchased at the Arqana sales and now transferred to Joseph O’Brien’s yard at in County Kilkenny, the filly can go well on her seasonal bow.

2.30 – 1m2f Handicap

Second in the Cesarewitch at Newmarket, DAWN RISING is the logical pick in this middle-distance test at the Curragh.

The nine-year-old has plenty of experience on the flat and over jumps, and can make that count against his rivals today.

3.05 – 6f Greenlands Stakes (Group 2)

SPYCATCHER is a seasoned, ultra-consistent Group-class sprinter for the excellent Burke yard, and at odds of around 15/2 in our horse racing betting, I shall be following him in each-way.

Looking in need of the run at Doncaster, I’m sure we will see a different Spycatcher on Saturday.

3.40 – 1m Irish 2,000 Guineas (Group 1)

GSTAAD (by Starspangledbanner) boasts an exceptional profile for a thoroughbred having never finished outside the top two in his career. The odds-on favourite will win like a shorty should.

4.15 – 1m2f Gallinule Stakes (Group 3)

Stepping up to 1m2f for the first time, CAUSEWAY (NB) arrives on the back of a hat-trick, most recently winning the Listed Tetrarch Stakes over a mile at this racecourse 19 days ago.

At odds of 5/4 in our sports betting market, he’s a firm pick for win purposes.

4.50 – 7f Handicap

Noel Meade and Colin Keane team up here with an interesting Starman-filly STAR OF SAPPHIRE.

She showed plenty of potential last season and is running off a very lenient mark today in her first handicap.

5.25 – 6f Handicap

Henry De Bromhead’s BARBAPAPA may be drawn very wide, but the seven-year-old can overcome that hurdle.

The Dundalk regular has won once on the turf before, at Leopardstown in a large field handicap, so that bodes well for today under a useful claimer.

5.55 – 1m2f Maiden

The pints will be on Willie Mullins if THE SHANDYMAN can land the lucky last on Saturday’s Curragh card.

Second over a mile here back in October, this step up in trip will suit him down to a tee.

*Odds subject to change – prices accurate at the time of writing*