Curragh Saturday Preview - 25/05/19

The first race of the day and season at the newly re-developed Curragh racecourse is the five furlong Auction Maiden and we have gone with the Jack Davison trained Glow Worm.

This two year old filly looks to have a great chance in this unexposed field having run twice which is more than most of these horses.

On those two outings he finished a good third on debut at Naas behind two horses that have both won again since that day and then next time out when dropped in trip he finished a good second.

Every chance of scoring at the third time of asking.

The second race of the day is the Heritage Hotel and Spa Handicap over six furlongs and we have gone for the Denis Hogan trained Amanaat.

This top weighted six year old gelding looks to have some steady form coming into this race especially in his last race where he finished a smart second behind a nice type over this distance.

He goes off the same mark on Saturday and if coming on for that run could be dangerous at a decent price. Trainer normally does well at this track.

The Group 2 Greenland stakes is the next race on the agenda and in this six furlong event we have gone for Joseph O'Brien's four year old colt Speak In Colours.

His brother Donnacha is on board which is an obvious bonus but he won at the track three starts ago over the same trip and conditions in a decent Group 3.

If he runs to that standard he holds every chance on his first run of the season but this is a tricky race and he will have to be at the top of his game.

The feature race of the day at the Curragh is the Irish 2,000 Guineas and we have gone for the Aidan O'Brien trained Magna Grecia and an each way shout with the Dermot Weld trained Shelir.

Starting with the Ballydoyle contingent and this three year old comes into this race on home soil off the back off two wins in Group 1 company and is eyeing up a hat-trick.

On his seasonal return he landed the British 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket which looks the form to beat but does have stronger opposition in this one with Too Darn Hot coming across the pond to challenge him for the milers title.

Our each way pick is the Dermot Weld trained Shelir who is currently unbeaten in both his runs to date, winning over course and distance last time out and if getting a strong pace at the front he could be dangerous at a nice price.

The last of the Group races at the Curragh on day one of the Irish Guineas meeting is the Fillies and Mares Group 2 over a mile and we have sided with I Can Fly.

This Aidan O'Brien trained four year old holds a lot of ability but she is a frustrating filly as she does not always give her best performance.

However, she has ran in better races than this especially holding the close second to Roaring Lion at the back end of last season on British Champions Day.

Anything mirroring that run will see her take the glory and she has that in her locker.

The penultimate race is the 1 mile 2 furlong Premier Handicap and we have gone with the Damian English trained See Of Rome to land the spoils.

This five year old gelding has a great chance off the back of his latest comeback run when a solid third at Cork and now going off the same mark could be dangerous.

He is experienced runner that has been on the all weather in the off season but now back on the flat can be super competitive.

The final selection from the first day of racing at the Curragh for the season is the 1 mile Handicap and the Aidan O'Brien trained Ferretti is our pick.

This three year colt has won two of his last four runs and last time out was one of those when when landing a seven furlong contest at Naas.

He seemed to like good ground that day which he will have again on Saturday and the step up to a mile should see him improve, big chance.