Curragh Sunday Preview - 08/08/21

The first race of the day at the Curragh on Phoenix Stakes day is the seven furlong Maiden and Shark Bay looks to be tough to beat if improving again.

The Aidan O'Brien trained runner looks to be the pick of the runners left in by the master trainer and having already had two runs should have the experience over most in the field.

The son of Australia was seen at the back end of June finishing a narrow third in a photo-finish over course and distance.

Back over course and distance last time out he ran a superb race to just be chinned on the line again in a photo and this event looks slightly easier.

One to beat.

Next up is the Irish EBF Fillies' Race over seven fulrongs and having been pulled out of her race on Friday at Tipperary Cairde Go Deo for Ger Lyons looks a player in this one.

This daughter of Camelot was sent off 9/4 on debut when chasing home a potentially smart rival who like herself boasts Group entries and she is expected to improve on that here.

Her stamina should be a positive with the rain forecast and this trainer/jockey combo are in excellent form.

She does take on some tough rivals in Concert Hall and Corviglia, but getting weight off the both of them should make all the difference.

Another event over seven furlongs sees the Fillies Maiden and we are giving another chance to Zumoradda for Dermot Weld, who holds bags of potential but now needs to show it.

The three year old for Shadwell Estate showed clear potential on her final start of last term, but this year and has been hit and miss and needs to find her best form.

She was second on her first start of the season at Roscommon and then backed that up with a good third at Leopardstown over a mile.

Back at Roscommon she ran massively below par, but quickly bounced back to form last time out when a close third at Galway over 7f.

She has been knocking on the door in handicaps and now back in maiden company she should finally break that duck.

One of the better races on The Curragh card is the Group Three Phoenix Sprint Stakes over six furlongs and Romantic Proposal should go well if the rain comes.

The Clipper Logistics owned mare has been a stalwart over five and six furlongs at this track during her career, especially this season when running three times and not finishing outside the top three.

This term she made her seasonal debut on soft at Naas over 5f and was a good third behind the very progressive Logo Hunter in a Listed event.

She then went up in trip at The Curragh and was another close runner up in a Group Three contest on soft ground.

The mare got off the mark for the season next time out over C&D when landing the Listed Dash Stakes and then backed that up last time out when third in Group Two company at the track.

She drops in grade for this event and the step back up to 6f on soft ground should be right up her street.

Massively consistent.

The penultimate selection of the afternoon in Ireland comes in the five furlong Maiden and Jon Riggens for Edward Lynam is not without a chance.

The three year old gelding has been seen three times this season, needing her debut over six furlongs at the track when 10th of 25 in a maiden, but since then has finished runner up on both occasions.

He went to Cor next time out and was a good second behind a nice type for Ken Condon and then backed that at Tipperary when another smart runner up.

This looks a superb event to get his head in front and the drop to five furlongs in his last few sons seems to have made a big difference.

First run for new yard.

The feature race of the afternoon at The Curragh is the Group One Phoenix Stakes for two year olds over six furlongs and the British raider Go Bears Go will take some beating.

The son of Kodi Bear has been a superstar for the David Loughnane yard this term, racing three times and going on to land two of them, whilst placing in another valuable race.

He made an emphatic debut over 5f at Ascot on soft ground getting off the mark at the first time of asking, with the horses in behind him since winning races.

Loughnane then sent him back over the same course and distance at Royal Ascot in the Group Two Norfolk Stakes and although running a cracker he finished a head third to the smart Perfect Power.

Kept at Group Two level Go bears Go was last seen winning the Railway Stakes over course and distance at The Curragh and with the plan being this race for a while we can't see past him.

Extremely progressive.