3.05pm Curragh - Group 2 Sapphire Stakes
In a pretty rare occurrence, the UK seem to have a stranglehold on a race over in Ireland, as George Boughey sends over Believing and Ed Walker also sends over Makarova, as well as Karl Burke’s Beautiful Diamond making the trip over to the Curragh this weekend.
The prize money on offer is pretty decent, so fair play to the UK trainers for sending a few over to contest in this Group 2 five-furlong race, a race that I think will be won by Believing for George Boughey and Ryan Moore.
The booking of Moore is an obvious plus, as he is the main man at the Curragh, and he could have an Irish Oaks meeting, but it was the run last time that really caught my eye for this horse, and that was in Group 1 company. She was a three-length winner of a Listed contest at Haydock in June, before trying the King Charles/Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot last month, and although she came fourth in both of those runs, she was only beaten by a little under two lengths in the King Charles III Stakes, which was a very good run. She was always keeping on well that day in the closing stages, so the natural next step was to try the 6-furlong race just a few days later, where she claimed 4th spot once again, beaten by a little over two lengths, perhaps just not staying out the trip going that sort of pace.
Therefore the drop back down to five furlongs here on Saturday should more than suit, and this drop down to Group 2 company should also pose no threat to her. Being the highest rated runner in the field, I think she is more than capable of winning this, and if she can reproduce her Royal Ascot efforts, then this could be her best victory to date.
- Selection - Believing (6/4 Win)
3.40pm Curragh - Group 1 Irish Oaks
For a Group 1, this is not really that good of a contest, and somehow I feel Ryan Moore might have booked himself on the wrong horse here. Content ran a very creditable third in the Group 1 Pretty Polly Stakes last time out when coming up against the older horses, but she was well beaten by four lengths, as well as being pretty well beaten in her first two runs this season so far. The first two runs of the season were both over the mile trip, so it is clear to see she wants a whole bit further, but I still just think there are one or two who might just be better than her here on Saturday.
With that in mind I very much like the look of Port Fairy for Aidan O'Brien, with Wayne Lordan set to take the ride. She fits most of the trends for this race, a lightly-raced two-year-old, a winner over the 1½-mile trip and had more than two runs this season, so for me she ticks all the boxes to win this contest, but being the Ballydoyle "second string" is a little concerning, as we know team Ballydoyle like to operate these races the way that suits them the best.
Ultimately my thinking is that Port Fairy is the best horse in the race, and it is clear to see she is the toughest given how well she battled down the Ascot straight last time when landing the Ribblesdale at the Royal meeting.
She was a maiden winner at Dundalk for her first run of the season, before taking a pretty big step up in class when running in the Cheshire Oaks, a race in which she came runner-up by just a head, before going on to run in the Ribblesdale last time, a race that she was always just doing enough in to win by a neck, with an improving sort in behind in 2nd in the form of Lava Stream.
Although Ryan may not think so, and the ratings do not suggest it, I think she could be the best horse to come out of the race, and given the fact she is fairly lightly raced, I think there is still plenty of improvement to come from her after that effort at Ascot last time.
As I mentioned she fits the trends perfectly for this contest, and I am sure if Moore had decided to ride her on Saturday, she would be the favourite for this contest, such is the pull that the popular Irish jockey has over the punters, especially at the Curragh.
- Selection - Port Fairy (5/1 Win)
4.15pm Curragh - Group 2 Comer Group International Curragh Cup
A battle of racing’s two main powerhouses, as Aidan O'Brien and Willie Mullins send a runner each to do battle at the top end of the market. I think it is fair to say that Ryan Moore would have had the option to ride either Tower Of London or Vauban here, given the fact he usually rides both of them, and the fact that Vauban drops down in trip here after running in the Gold Cup last time is pretty eye-catching.
However Tower Of London is the better horse out of the two, and Moore's mount is already a dual winner this season when landing a Group 3 in Saudi, before going on to win the Dubai Gold Cup by two lengths some months back.
He did not fire at all in the Yorkshire Cup when well beaten in fifth, but he is something of a fair-weather horse these days and really does thrive with the sun on his back. It was also reported last time that he lost one of his shoes during the race, which can cause complications during running. Moore handled him well that day, and although it was disappointing he didn't win, the fact his jockey then went easy on him means he can have a few more days in the sun very soon.
And that starts this Saturday, he is the highest rated in the field, has the expertise of Moore onboard, as well as winning form over this trip, plus handy 64-day break, which means he will be more than fresh and ready to go for this reappearance.
Ultimately I just think he is the best horse in the field, and Ryan has chosen the correct horse this time, so it would be pretty disappointing if he fails to win another Group 2 contest here at the Curragh on Saturday.
- Selection - Tower Of London (7/4 Win)
All previews and tips provided by @ Jake Russell