Curragh Saturday 18th July: Preview and Tips

1:30 - NEW ZEALAND

Showed promise on debut when travelling well late on to get up for 7th. Ryan Moore did not ride him on debut and there are a few newcomers from the yard so this normally indicates that Ryan thinks that the newcomers aren't better than him. NEW ZEALAND is a son of Frankel and holds a group 1 entry and so this colt is held in high regard. There are some very well bred challengers in this race, however only 4 (including NEW ZEALAND) in this race have experience in an actual race and so experience may prevail here.

SEOUL FORCE is the biggest danger who finished close to DAYTONA on debut. Ryan Moore should get the run of the race here and NEW ZEALAND has raced at the Curragh before and so may have the upper hand here over SEOUL FORCE who is likely to get involved. TASHAKOUR and ISAAC NEWTON may also put in a bold showing.

2:00 - GREEK FLOWER E/W + TANGO FLARE E/W

GREEK FLOWER - ran in this race last year and achieved a good 2nd when rated 85 with a 3lb claimer, she comes here this year off a mark of 84 with a 7lb claimer who will help as its currently 4lb wrong. She loves this track and will be suited by the 6 1/2f and is a great e/w shout at 22/1 with many betting sites offering extra places. GREEK FLOWER has been dropping in the weights and has ran well off marks of around 87, she may need to find more here but this was bound to be a target for connections and should run okay.

TANGO FLARE - Has ran well off marks off 100 and comes here on a mark of 96, Seamie Heffernan takes the ride which is a big plus despite never winning a handicap race, has come close off a mark of 100 under the same jockey and was a nice 40/1 price and so can outrun its odds. Stall 9 gives good options as will have freedom of how to tactically set up in the race. Another big e/w price of 20/1 but could definitely out run those odds and should finish the race well.

2:35 - TRUE LOVE

Comes here with a form of 221, however, both of those 2nds is when she was behind LADY IMAN and GSTAAD who are both insanely good horses and Aiden has said that after each of her two starts both Ryan Moore and Wayne Lordan (jockeys) stated she won't be beat again. After that she went on to win the Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot in good fashion and so holds all the form here and should be the first filly in 31 years to win this race.

3:40 - MINNIE HAUK

This looks a very weak Irish Oaks and MINNIE HAUK should take all the beating and should win, I think she'll win but not in a 10 length impressive win as I don't think she's that type of filly and will always do just enough. MINNIE HAUK should just get there and win this to add another Oaks to her resume before most likely adding the Yorkshire Oaks to it come the 21st August.

4:15 - AL RIFFA

Comes here with all the from and although never having raced over this distance, based on form, he should be too good for these. WHISTLEJACKET looks the main danger after staying on very well in the Queens Vase after leading most of the race, showing great staying ability.

AL RIFFA has been within 2 Lengths of REBELS ROMANCE, SHIN EMPEROR and CITY OF TROY (as seen in photo) and so he's battled with the best horses in the world and so if AL RIFFA does not win, the winner will go on to do amazing things. Having said that, AL RIFFA will not be beaten.

4:50 - EXTRAVAGANT

Another Aiden O'Brien + Ryan Moore duo horse selection, however, Wootton Bassett colts have been doing very well and EXTRAVAGANT shaped on its first two runs as if the 6f will suit the best as it looked very speedy on debut. On debut it was very green and quite keen, now he's on his 3rd run, the inexperience and greenness should be better here and on a mark of 83 it looks very good at a price of around 2/1, a small drift wouldn't be unusual as well. I like this colt for the future and think the sky is the limit, he just needs to settle better and as he gets older the longer distances will get the best out of him.