Curragh Saturday Preview - 20/07/2019

No bet in the first which means many of you may be 'Waitingfortheday' in our second contest from the Curragh, which kicks off our selections.

This four-year-old filly of Joseph O'Brien's young aspiring yard was a beaten favourite last time out at Gowran Park when just being collored by Black Magic Woman in a seven-furlong handicap.

He has been sent off prominent in the market in all of his attempts this year, and is gradually falling down the weights back to his last winning mark of 79.

Should soon be his time under top jock and Joseph's brother Donnacha.

The British raiders have had a good record at this meeting in recent years, and Paul Midgley sends one of his more experienced sprinters to tackle the Tote Scurry Handicap.

Racing over the extended six, this six-year-old when closest here last time out to John Quinn's El Astronaute in the Tote Rockingham Handicap - a premier over five.

Manshood proved his stamina in the closing stages and a return to six is surely a plus.

Ran well in some big handicaps already this year and should well again.

Pistoletto puts his unbeaten record on the line in the Group Three Jebel Ali Racecourse & Stables Anglesey Stakes for trainer Aidan O'Brien.

Ryan Moore has elected to ride the son of War Front, after he scored smartly in the space of the month at Tipperary and at Naas latest.

Had a short break since, and should be ready to fire again as he looks to land the hat-trick in the first colours of Michael Tabor.

Could be a very special two-year-old if coming through this unscathed.

Hey Gaman looks a big player in one of the features of the day - the Group Two Paddy Power Minstrel Stakes oven seven furlongs.

The son of New Approach is unbeaten in two starts in 2019, including in a Group Three at Longchamp in May, a month after opening his account at Leicester.

He bypassed any dates at Royal Ascot, and this looks the perfect destination to continue his four-year-old campaign, with trainer James Tate managing to book Frankie Dettori.

Very good chances over what looks his optimum trip.

A daughter of Sea The Stars, Star Catcher returned to winning ways when landing the Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot last month, and has been supplemented for the big race here - the Kerrygold Irish Oaks.

Dettori - also aboard here, was in flying form that day at the royal meeting and rides the filly who bounced back from her third at Newbury to Queen Power.

Stepping up in trip seemed the correct answer, and she should go pretty well in these classic winning colours, for retained boss John Gosden.

The Brits have had the upper hand in the last few years, and could be the ones to beat again.

Royal Illusion looks a leading choice in the Kildare Village Ladies Derby Handicap for trainer Willie Mullins - over the Oaks distance of 1m4f.

The seven-year-old was very late on the scene making her debut in a bumper at Punchestown as a six-year-old, but was soon converted to running on the flat permanently.

Finishing second on her seasonal return at Roscommon, she has come out and won at Leopardstown and Bellewstown in great style, and has a smart claimer taking 7lb off onboard.

Representing leading stable, she should be on the premises.

Royal Highness can take the concluding contest - the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden over a mile for trainer Henry De Bromhead.

The three-year-old ran green before eventually staying on to excellent effect on debut at Tipperary, and surely has a leading chance to score at the second time of asking in the colours of Clipper Logistics.

Carries more experience than some of these in this field, and should use that to her advantage.

Royal Highness rounds off our tips at the Curragh.