Hi all,

Inside today’s main piece you can read my thoughts on the best of Sunday’s action from the Curragh and Uttoxeter.

Curragh:

Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby

The Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby has attracted nine colts. It’s a purely Irish affair with no runners from Britain or France. It looks like a coronation for Epsom Derby winner Auguste Rodin. The race lacks depth and not much interest unless your involved with Coolmore. unless Auguste Rodin is below par, I can’t see him losing this.

The Epsom form is working out nicely and although I’m not one for smashing into odds-on chances isn’t for me, but if you could get 1/2 about Auguste Rodin those odds would look fair enough to me.   Stablemate San Antonio was well beaten at Epsom but hated the track. Prior to that he had won the Listed Dee Stakes at Chester. If there’s a tailwind and he goes from the front he could hold on for a place at big odds.

I backed White Birch at Epsom he came from an unwinnable position to finish third. This track will suit the colt better than Epsom and I can see him giving his backers a good run for their money. However, he’s been slowly away on his last three starts and that must be a slight worry again.  

1:50 – The Group 2 GAIN Railway Stakes – 6f

Bucanero Fuerte was an excellent ½ length 3^rd of 20 to River Tiber in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot. The more in the ease in the ground the better his chance. If this race doesn’t come too quick, he’s the one to beat.

Aidan O’Brien has only won this race twice in the past 10 years. He’s got two with serious claims Unquestionable & His Majesty.  The former made all to win a C&D maiden last month. He missed Royal Ascot, is open to plenty of improvement and is the pick of Ryan Moore. His Majesty did best of those who raced stands side when a 2 ½ length 4th of 14 to Valiant Force in Norfolk Stakes (5f) at Royal Ascot last time. The return to 6f will suit and he remains open to further progress.

I Am Invictus finished a 3 ¾ length third to Tiber River on his racecourse debut. Before finishing a neck third to useful filly Pearls And Rubies and Navan three weeks ago. Not open to as much progress as the other three mentioned but could get in the money.

2:25 – Jebel Ali Racecourse & Stables Dash Stakes – 6f

Commanche Falls, twice a Goodwood Stewards Cup winner, posted just about a career best on RPR’s when a 1 ¾ length 3^rd of 10 Azure Blue in the Group 2 Duke Of York Stakes at York last month. He sets a high standard and looks a worthy enough favourite.

Mooneista has a decent enough record at the Curragh. The mare is a previous course winner over 5f and went very close, beaten ½ length, in a Group 2 over C&D last May for her previous trainer. Hasn’t been at her best on two starts since joining Joseph O’Brien. However, she’s more than capable of winning this if back to her best.

Of the rest Tango Flare comes into the race arguably one of the most inform contenders after wins at Cork and Fairyhouse. Looked a sprinter going places when winning last time and the 4-year-old is lightly raced enough to think he could be capable of better.

There are also four premier handicaps on the Curragh card. And I will be getting stuck into them for the Victor Value subscribers.

Uttoxeter

Besides the best of the action at the Curragh ITV are also covering the bet365 Summer Cup Handicap Chase (3:12) at Uttoxeter. There’s £39,023 on offer to the winner and the excellent prize money means sixteen runners have declared for this year’s renewal.

3:12 – bet365 Summer Cup Handicap Chase (GBB Race) (Class 2) – 3m 2f

Cap Du Nord, Kinondo Kwetu and Twig are the three on my shortlist.

Cap Du Nord won the valuable Swinley Handicap Chase at Ascot (3m) by 7 lengths in February. Now just 3lb higher here. It’s interesting that connections have kept him in training over the summer. A decent 3^rd of 11 here (3m) last month. If he reproduces his Ascot performance, he would be tough to beat.

Kinondo Kwetu has developed into a very useful staying handicap chaser on good ground and was back to winning ways at Aintree (3m 1f) 44 days ago. Only prevailed by a neck last time. However, he did idle close to home and was worth more than the official margin of victory suggests. The handicapper has raised him 8lb. But even that rise in the weights might prevent him following up, albeit this is a deeper race.

Twig gained a first success outside the Hunter Chase ranks when winning a novice handicap chase at Warwick last September. Has been campaigned over hurdles since and was back to winning ways here (2m 7f) last month. Back over fences for first time since winning at Warwick in the autumn and is just 3lb higher. Definite claims if staying 3m 2f.

Sunday Selection:

Bucanero Fuerte can win the first at the Curragh provided there is a bit of ease in the ground. Tango Flare is an improving sprinter who’s well worth his place in pattern company in the 2:25. I’m going in with White Birch in the Irish Derby, but Auguste Rodin is the most likely winner. Over at Uttoxeter the valuable Summer Cup Handicap could go the way of Kinondo Kwetu.

Curragh

2:25 – Tango Flare – 12/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes.

Good luck with your Sunday bets.

John