Hi all,
It’s Irish Derby Day at the Curragh on Sunday and its that race that comes under the big race microscope inside today’s main piece. Plus, I have previewed this afternoon’s feature race at Newcastle.
Curragh: Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby
As the sun sets over the lush green fields of the Curragh Racecourse, anticipation fills the air, setting the stage for one of Ireland's most prestigious horse racing events—the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby.
With a rich history spanning over 150 years, this race traditionally attracts some of the middle distance horses in Ireland & Britain. Here are just a few recent winners of the race.
Nijinsky (1970)
Shergar (1981)
Galileo (2001)
Hurricane Run (2005)
Sea The Stars (2009)
Camelot (2012).
Besides the above the race has seen many other remarkable champions throughout its rich history.
I’m not going to spend much time on the race trends. However, 11 of the last 15 winners of the race ran in the Derby at Epsom with three having won that race.
Aidan O’Brien is 7 winners from 33 runners +33.56 19 placed.
Three winners were returned 14/1, 16/1 & 33/1 and two of them were trained by Aidan O’Brien.
Six of the last 15 winners of the race were drawn in stalls 2 & 3 – 6 winners from 29 runners +16.51, 12 placed.
Not really a race for trends fans to get excited about. Well not for me anyway. As we approach race day. Let's delve into a short preview of this year's Irish Derby.
The Contenders:
The Irish Derby is synonymous with attracting the finest three-year-old middle distance and this year is no exception.
Heading the list of contenders is Epsom Derby hero Auguste Rodin. He’s a best priced 1/3 and you can see why he’s so short in the betting. This year’s Derby was a strong renewal; hence Auguste Rodin will be very hard to beat.
His nearest rivals in the ante post betting are the Derby third White Birch & fourth Sprewell. The first named ran on from an unwinnable position to finish third. He could do better at track that will suit him better than Epsom. Sprewell got slightly hampered 2f but probably wouldn’t have finished better than third. He remains open to further improvement though.
Of the rest the most interesting of the looks to be Knight To King. The son of Kingman is a half-brother to Group 1 winner Ghaiyyath won a Gowran maiden (1m 1 ½ f) on his racecourse debut earlier this month. It was an impressive success that marked the colt down as an exciting middle distance prospect. There must be doubts about his stamina for 1m 4f on pedigree. That said trainer Dermot Weld has already trained three Irish Derby winners and you would have to respect the colt if he was to line-up.
Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Verdict:
It’s not most exciting of races. Auguste Rodin just wins doesn’t he. I backed White Birch at Epsom, but I don’t see any reason why he should get closer to the winner on Sunday. The same thought applies to Sprewell although he might be capable of a bit better. The best value each way poke could be Knight To King if he was to run. Still its hard to see him beating an inform Auguste Rodin on what would be just his second career start.
Thursday Preview
Newcastle’s three-day Northumberland Plate meeting gets under way this afternoon. The feature race of seven-race card at Newcastle is the Class 2 Seaton Delaval Handicap (3.20).
Newcastle
There’s £18,039 on offer to the winner of this year’s Seaton Delaval Handicap. Horses from powerful Newmarket yards in the shape of Lattam and Al Algaila dominate the betting. It looks a deep renewal of the race though, and you can give most of the 11 runners a chance.
Lattam
Lattam won Irish Lincolnshire at the Curragh on his return to action in March and backed up that effort when finishing a 3 ½ length 2nd of 10 Jim Hendrix at Newbury 68 day ago. Makes all-weather debut but goes well fresh and could be capable of better. Haggas yard looks to be moving into top gear.
Al Algaila
Seemed to improve for the step up to 1m 2f when wining twice at Lingfield including the Winter Oaks Handicap in January. Returned from a 4 month absence with a poor run when last of 7 back on turf at Nottingham 25-days ago. Needs to bounce back from her latest run which she may do back on a synthetic surface.
Brunch
Brunch 2-2 over C&D but hasn’t run on the surface since June 2020. He didn’t build on the promise of his Doncaster seasonal return when disappointing behind Jim Hendrix at Newbury 68 days ago. Handicapped to go close when bouncing back to his best which could easily be this afternoon.
Empirestateofmind
Finished runner-up on his last start over C&D 12 month ago before improving later last summer/autumn on turf. Ran well to finish runner-up in handicap at Newmarket (1m) in April before running to bad to be true back at that venue 54 days ago. A normally consistent performer he’s the type to bounce back before too long but has edged up the weights without winning.
Eilean Dubh
An improved handicapper last year winning four times including over C&D. The 5-year-old wasn’t at his best on his first four starts in 2023 but was back to form when a ¾ length 3rd of 12 at Sandown 12 days ago. Nudged up 2lb but still makes plenty of appeal.
Alrehb
Alrehb made it 5- 9 on the all-weather when posting a career best on RPR’s to win the Lincoln Trial at Wolverhampton, from 5lb lower in March. Not at his best on three subsequent starts on the grass but can’t be ruled out back on the all-weather.
Symbol Of Light
Completed an all-weather hat trick for previous trainer Charlie Appleby when winning on handicap debut at Southwell 518 days ago. Has since switched to Julie Camacho and has had win surgery. Maybe capable of better for his new yard but this a tough race to return in.
Verdict: A handicap that wouldn't look out of place on a Saturday card. Personally I want to take the front two in the betting and Brunch, Empirestateofmind and Eilean Dubh top my shortlist. If I have a bet then I will probably dutch the first two.
Good luck with your Thursday bets.
John