Hi all,
Curragh hosts the most valuable race run in Britain & Ireland this weekend. There’s €600,000 in guaranteed prize money for the Irish Cesarewitch (4.10). Given the prize money on offer, not unsurprisingly a maximum field of 30 is set to meet the starter.
The ground was yielding to soft at the Curragh on Saturday. However, there’s plenty of rain forecast for Sunday afternoon at the track and if it arrives it will be much softer.
In today’s main piece I’m previewing Irish Cesarewitch.
Curragh
4:10 – Friends Of The Curragh Irish Cesarewitch (Premier Handicap) – 2m 1f
Aidan O’Brien saddled 5/1 favourite Waterville to win last year’s race and he’s got another 3-year-old heading the ante post betting for this year’s renewal in Tower Of London.
Tower Of London
Looked to be travelling well 2f out in last week’s St Leger but had to settle for a good fourth. He’s open to further improvement and could possibly be Melbourne Cup bound. I’m just not sure he really wants soft ground though.
Teed Up
Had a great Galway Festival winning on the flat and over hurdles with a runner-up effort sandwiched in between. Now 5lb higher than last time on the level but stays 2m and goes well on testing ground. Interestingly connections opt to apply the first time cheekpieces, and he’ll go close.
Echoes In Rain
Finished a neck 2nd of 30 in last year’s race. The mare was an encouraging ¾-length 3rd of 10 in Listed race at Galway 12 days ago. That run came off a three month layoff and the 1m 4f trip was likely on the short side for her. Now 6lb higher than 12 months ago but should go close.
Dawn Rising
Beat eight rivals in the marathon Queen Alexandra Stakes (2m 5 ½ f) at Royal Ascot and has placed into Group races on his last two starts, including a third placed effort in the Irish St Leger last time. Must be respected on handicap debut and is weighted to be competitive.
Brazil
If you like Teed Up, you must be interested in Brazil. The 5-year-old Teed Up a head at Galway last time over 1m 4f and is just 2lb worse off. Unexposed over staying trips on the flat and a big player if he gets in (Second Reserve) and we know what happened in the Kerry National when a reserve won.
Chally Chute
Is 1-1 at the Curragh winning here last October. The 5-year-old won a Killarney handicap (2m 1f) on his second start this season and then finished ½ length 3rd of 17 to Brazil at Galway last time and would be 3lb better off today. Longer trip suits, as does testing ground.
My Mate Mozzie
Got off the mark at the 7th attempt on the flat when winning a Tramore maiden in July. Finished an excellent length 3rd of 19 in the Galway Hurdle last time. Looks well treated based on his hurdle form and needs respecting with Jamie Powell taking off a handy 5lb.
St Vincents Garden
Won a Fairyhouse maiden in June and was doing his best work at the finish when a 9 length 6th of 14 to Gregory in the Group 2 Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot. Shaped like a thorough stamina test was required when third in a Listed race (1m 6f) last time. Interesting on handicap debut.
Irish Cesarewitch Verdict:
Echoes In Rain was third last year and can get into the frame again. Brazil would be interesting stepped up to 2m for the first time on the flat if he was to get into the race. Dawn Rising looks on a workable mark for his handicap debut as could his unexposed stablemate St Vincents Gardens. The latter shapes like 2m could elicit more improvement from the 3-year-old.
It could be the case that Tower Of London proves to classy for his rivals and can give Aidan O’Brien back to back wins in the race. However, soft ground means I’m taking him on with Chally Chute and My Mate Mozzie.
Sunday Selection:
I could easily have gone for three or four in the Irish Cesarewitch, but I’ve settled on just two. However, today’s selection isn’t from the big handicap it runs in the nursery handicap 35 minutes earlier.
Curragh
3:35 – Uncle Albert was back from a 3 month absence when an improved ¾-length 2nd of 9 on nursery debut at Sligo (5 ½ f) 46 days ago. Nudged up 4lb but shaped last time like 7f will suit and goes well on an easy surface. Fingers crossed we’ll be able to get 3/1.
Uncle Albert – 3/1 or bigger.
Good luck with your Sunday bets.
John