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)
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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 at Navan last time out.
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)
