Curragh Sunday Preview - 26/09/21

Ger Lyons has a highly impressive 35% strike rate with his 2yo runners at the Curragh this season, bettering his 32% strike rate across all tracks with his turf 2yo's in 2021.

His entrant Neo Soul has raced twice over the 5f trip to date, both at Naas, finishing 4th on debut before a 3rd placed finish last time out.

He looks to have ran into some decent types on his most recent run, especially given that the runner-up, New York City, now runs in the Group 1 Juddmonte Stakes.

Neo Soul has kept on well over the 5f trip the last twice, and the scheduled rainfall might be just what he needs in order to make this a better test with stamina for longer clearly in his pedigree.

Cougar is one of three Aidan O'Brien representatives in the race in what has real potential to be a strong maiden affair.

Aidan O'Brien boasts a decent 21% strike rate with his turf 2yo's this season and Cougar appears the best bred for this debut affair based on pedigree.

The son of Deep Impact is well related to multiple 7f specialists including being a full sister to 7f Group 1 2yo winner, Maybe.

He is taken to make a winning start here under Seamie Heffernan.

The Joseph O'Brien and Shane Crosse pairing landed this race in 2019 and they look to hold decent claims at repeating that feat via Tranquil Lady.

A daughter of Australia, Tranquil Lady was most impressive when stepping up from her debut 8th placed finish to dominate a 12 runner fillies' maiden at Galway last time out by 3.25 lengths.

She won going away in comfortable fashion and the manner of that victory has clearly signified a high level of potential, so much so, she has already been entered for the Group 1 fillies mile and for next years 1000 Guineas.

Progeny of Australia are often known to appreciate the softer conditions and despite the race representing a big step up in grade for Tranquil Lady, the tell tale signs are there that she should be more than capable at stepping up and being in the thick of things on her 3rd start; especially with further improvement expected.

Costing 210,000 guineas as a yearling, Ruling showed real potential across his opening 3 runs, finishing 4th on debut over 8f before subsequently stepping up to 12f to finish 2nd and 3rd at Leopardstown, both 12f runs being not far behind subsequent Group 1 3rd placed horse, The Mediterranean.

Ruling was however well below his expected level when stepping up to Group 2 company in the Queen's Vase last time out in June and only managed a 9th placed finish over the 14f trip.

He has subsequently been gelded and spent some time off the track in order to improve and trainer Jospeh O'Brien is +£29.08 to a £1 level stake with horses returning from a break.

We are entitled to expect plenty improvement now from the runner, and despite the step back down to 10f, if running anywhere near his past ratings, he should be extremely difficult to peg back here.

The Mediterranean appears a confident vote ahead of the Group 3 Loughbrown Stakes.

Aidan O'Brien has landed this race 3 times in the past including last years renewal with Dawn Patrol.

The Mediterranean, a son of Galileo, has performed admirably on his last 2 starts, finishing runner up in the Group 2 Voltigeur (12f) before keeping on well last time out to take 3rd in the Doncaster St Leger (14f).

The manner of his finishing run at Doncaster has signalled potential now for the runner over the 2 mile trip and he now takes a drop down in grade to a Group 3 to be competitive.

The 3yo colt holds plenty potential to now improve over the longer distance and holds leading claims in this having already shown his capabilities to be competitive at a higher level.

El Tren is looking to land a 3 timer in this race having won the affair in both 2019 & 2020.

The contest has clearly been targeted by connections given El Tren has been warmed up ahead of the event with a re-appearance run at Tipperary (12.5f) in August.

Joanna Walton, who has ridden El Tren to victory on his last 2 starts in this event, was on board for the warm up ride last time out and she will also be confident of another strong showing given the horses liking to the C&D.

He runs off the same mark as last year and we can expect El Tren to go close once more here at the very least.

Solid each way proposition.

Rough Diamond looks very well in ahead of this premier handicap for trainer Edward Lynam.

The son of Starspangledbanner was 3rd over the 5f trip 3 starts back at Tipperary, keeping on eye-catchingly at the finish and getting within half a length of Strong Johnson and Master Matt who are both now rated 104 and 99 respectively.

He has since ran respectable races the last twice over 6f in premier handicaps without making too much of an impression on the leaders however now drops back to 5f.

Off a rating of 81 he is now weighted accordingly off just 8 stone 10lbs for the contest and has plenty of potential for further improvements on just his second run at the trip.

Definitely overpriced and strong each way claims.

Viareggio got the better of both re-opposing rivals Dickochea and Nectarine last time out at Cork with the former having a 12lb swing on Jessica Harringtons filly.

The trio meet again at the Curragh and Viareggio is taken to now solidify those placings given she is now even more closely weighted to the pair this time out, thanks to an additional 5lb claim enlisted via jockey Scott McCullagh.

Viareggio is now weighted just 6lbs higher than Dickochea this time out, whilst her 4lb swing with Nectarine has now reduced to 2lbs.

She can now assert herself here for her red hot trainer who has a 28% strike rate across the last 14 days.