Seven races to look forward to at The Curragh on Tuesday. Former jumps jockey Paul Callaghan has you covered with a selection for each race.
THE CURRAGH TIPS
- 13:25 Sonny Hayes (9/2)
- 13:55 Nouvel Espoir (13/2)
- 14:25 Sounds Great (8/1)
- 15:00 Maire Rua (5/4)
- 15:35 Sirius (3/1)
- 16:10 Gentle Soda (20/1)
- 16:45 God Knows (14/1)
**Prices correct as at 9pm on Monday evening
-View our latest Horse Racing markets
Markets for the Curragh on Tuesday are available here
13:25 6f Irish EBF Maiden (2yo)
Sonny Hayes showed plenty of promise when finishing fourth in a maiden over 5 furlongs at Cork at the end of September.
The son of Blue Point travelled strongly throughout, only to get caught behind a wall of horses inside the final 2 furlongs. After being switched out, he stayed on nicely to take fourth spot.
He looks a sharp type and, with a clear run, can have a major say in the opener.
Selection: Sonny Hayes
13:55 6f Autumn Racing At The Curragh Handicap (3yo+)
The consistent Nouvel Espoir arrives here in good form on the back of a good effort in a decent handicap won by Unique Journey over course and distance last Thursday. Although never dangerous, Nouvel Espoir only finished 5 lengths behind the winner.
Prior to that, Nouvel Espoir ran out a comfortable winner of a competitive handicap also over course and distance at the beginning of October, and a chance is taken that James Barcoe’s charge can defy top weight of 10st in the hands of Colin Keane.
Selection: Nouvel Espoir
14:25 1m4f Bill Hanlon Memorial Fillies Maiden (3yo+)
Sounds Great has a little over 3 lengths to find with Together Now following their meeting at Listowel last time out (the fourth home, Shanala won yesterday). I didn’t think Sounds Great looked entirely comfortable taking the sharp turns of Listowel, and jockey Seamie Heffernan wasn’t overly hard on the daughter of Churchill once her winning chance had gone.
I think that racing over this 1m 4f trip, we will see a better version of Sounds Great.
Selection: Sounds Great
15:00 1m Staffordstown Stud Stakes (Group 3) (Fillies) (2yo)
Maire Rua stayed on stoutly to win a Listed event over 7 furlongs at Leopardstown on the weekend of the Irish Champions Festival. Held up on that occasion, the beautifully-bred daughter of Frankel shaped as though the step up to 1 mile should suit, and she is taken to follow up in the hands of Colin Keane.
Selection: Maire Rua
15:35 1m4f Amateur Riders Derby (Q.R.) Race (3yo+)
Last year’s winner, Sirius, bounced back to form with a second-placed effort in the Irish Cesarewitch last time out. A chance is taken that Sirius can repeat last year’s victory in the hands of owner David Dunsdon.
Selection: Sirius
16:10 1m2f The Curragh Handicap (3yo+)
I thought that Gentle Soda ran well for a long way over 1m 3f at Killarney last time out. Dropped in, Gentle Soda held every chance approaching the final 2 furlongs but ultimately tired to finish sixth.
The drop in trip to 1m 2f should suit, and I am a big fan of Conor Cusack, who claims 7lbs off 9st 6lbs. Gentle Soda should give each-way supporters a good run for their money.
Selection: Gentle Soda
16:45 1m Handicap (3yo+)
Jockey Patrick McGettigan has enjoyed a fine season, and I think his mount, God Knows, has a solid each-way chance in the seventh and final race of the afternoon. She travelled strongly for a long way and didn’t find what she promised to find when asked for maximum effort.
Now rated 52, God Knows has been placed off 67, that last-time-out run was her best for some time, and I think she is better over 8 furlongs.
God Knows is the selection to shorten the journey back to Donegal for trainer Paul Sweeney.
Selection: God Knows
The Curragh Tips
- 13:25 Sonny Hayes (9/2)
- 13:55 Nouvel Espoir (13/2)
- 14:25 Sounds Great (8/1)
- 15:00 Maire Rua (5/4)
- 15:35 Sirius (3/1)
- 16:10 Gentle Soda (20/1)
- 16:45 God Knows (14/1)
