IRISH DERBY DAY PREVIEW - 2024

Kicking off Irish Derby Day at the Curragh is a Premier Handicap contested over 1m1f exclusively for three year old horses. SHARINAY is the horse of interest here for the Michael Halford and Tracey Collins team.

A lightly raced gelding, SHARINAY remains unexposed in comparison to most of the field. Last seen finishing second in a hot Ascot handicap trial at Naas, SHARINAY comfortably held the reopposing Soldier’s Empire who has in turn placed above Ridhaz. This appears to be a handy form line which was boosted by Chicago Critic running into third behind Haatem in the Jersey Stakes at Ascot.

A Group 3 only in name, Chicago Critic finished ahead of horses such as River Tiber and Pearls and Rubies. SHARINAY was barely beaten a length carrying three pounds more which would put him several pounds above the rest of the field. Handicapped well running off an OR of 95, not carrying top weight is another positive and Ronan Whelan is well in tune with his mount having partnered him on all three runs to date.

With good ground experience and more improvement looking likely, this lightly raced gelding really does look like he has the makings of a Group horse in a handicap and looks likely to score here.

Race two of the day sees the turn of the Railway Stakes, a Group 2 contest for two year old horses ran over six furlongs. A race won by Bucanero Fuerte last year, Ballydoyle will be hoping that their flying crop of two year olds can reclaim the trophy.

TUNBRIDGE WELLS is the obvious standout here and the chosen mount of Ryan Moore, with stablemate Henri Matisse partnered by Wayne Lordan. Last seen winning a hot maiden race over course and distance, it is fair to say that TUNBRIDGE WELLS looked exceptionally green and that the penny didn’t drop until the very last minute where he ran out an impressive two and three quarter length winner. Mighty Eriu was second that day, who finished second again to Leovanni in the Group 2 Queen Mary at Royal Ascot.

This shows the obvious ability that TUNBRIDGE WELLS holds, even though trainer Aidan O’Brien deemed him to still be “babyish”. Skipping Royal Ascot due to this and giving him more time to recover looks to be wise, and with Ryan Moore putting his confidence in him over Henri Matisse it is clear to see why there is obvious market support.

A word for his dangerous stablemate, Henri Matisse was also slowly away and dwelt badly when winning on debut and also looked extremely green. The extra race under TUNBRIDGE WELLS belt gives him the edge on this occasion, and given the form of Moore and O’Brien trained two year olds at Royal Ascot, expect him to go well here.

Race three of the day sees the first Listed contest in the form of the Jebel Ali Stakes, ran over six furlongs for horses aged three and above. A race usually contested by consistent group runners and hot handicappers stepping up, last year’s winner Commanche Falls is looking to defend his crown.

A Group 3 winner, Commanche Falls is giving weight to the whole field under penalty, ranging anywhere from 5lbs to 12lbs. It is for this reason the smart mare ANO SYRA is favoured, receiving a massive 10lbs in weight from the favourite. Last seen disappointing at Cork over five furlongs on yielding ground, that was clearly not her running. Stepped back up to six furlongs at a course she loves, much more is expected. Her last run at the Curragh was in a Group 2 contest in the Greenlands Stakes where she finished a very impressive third to Mitbaahy and King Charles Stakes (Group 1) runner up Regional at Royal Ascot.

Placing behind her was Wokingham winner Unequal Love off level weights proving that on her day and given her ideal conditions ANO SYRA is a serious proposition. Receiving weight from the dangerous favourite and obvious danger Tango Flare should help her cause further, whilst her impressive course and distance form should give her an ideal opportunity to bounce back in calmer waters.

The fourth race of the day is the turn of the Rockingham, a Premier Handicap ran over five furlongs. A real cavalry charge of a race, caution is advised in a race of this nature and extra places are advised when punting.

Course and Distance winner KENDALL ROY is the horse of choice here. A progressive, upwardly mobile type by Twilight Son, KENDALL ROY has won four of his last five starts and connections will be hoping for more of the same. Last seen winning a Premier Handicap over course and distance ahead of Ascot runner Majestic Beauty and NTO winner Power Mode – KENDALL ROY launched a stern challenge around two furlongs out and was easily cruising to victory.

Now off a career high rating of 90, further improvement looks likely given he was rated at an OR of 65 in April. Twice sent over to England and winning there, KENDALL ROY has more form tying in with the Palace of Holyrood House winner Pilgrim. He beat Moonstone Boy who ran in third at Musselburgh behind the aforementioned Pilgrim.

He was also just a length behind Scorchio who ran respectably in that race at Ascot. Connections will be hoping KENDALL ROY can make it five from six, and at an each way price looks appealing.

Race five of the day is a new contest, the Colm McLoughlin Celebration Stakes ran over a mile. An intriguing field of nine line up, with a blend of youthful unexposed three year olds, more experienced age mates and a smattering of four year old campaigners.It is four year old YOU SEND ME who catches the eye here for Seamie Heffernan and James Stack.

A talented daughter of Starspangledbanner and relation of pure one miler Shamardal, YOU SEND ME is a twice placed Group 3 horse who was last seen finishing behind Group and Listed winners Mutasarref and Bright Stripes. YOU SEND ME holds multiple form lines with the Duke of Cambridge Stakes race at Ascot.

She has finished above Cambridge third and fourth Doom and Magical Sunset, whilst placing below Rogue Millennium, Ocean Jewel and Orchid Bloom in a different contest. These placings put YOU SEND ME at a decent Group level, and these calmer waters should provide an opportunity for her to get in the mix.

Running off a mark of 9st4 is only 1lb higher than her last winning weight, which firmly puts her in the frame. The key dangers are 1000 Guineas runner Azada who probably wants further and top weight Lord Massusus however YOU SEND ME at an each way price is appealing.

Race six of the day sees the turn of the main event, The Irish Derby. With over 700,000 thousand Euros on offer, this Group 1 contest over 1m4f is sure to be a cracker.

A race dominated by the Ballydoyle battalions; Aidan O’Brien has won five of the last ten renewals with son Joseph winning in 2018.

Hoping to end this dominance is Newmarket based trainer James Fanshawe with his stable star AMBIENTE FRIENDLY. This talented son of Gleneagles burst onto the scene in May destroying subsequent Group 2 Royal Ascot winner Illinois by four and a half lengths. He then only came unstuck in the English Derby to City of Troy, besting the reopposing Los Angeles by over three lengths. Recently supplemented for 100,000 pounds, The Gredley Family are clearly keen on his chances to go one better than twenty nine days ago.

Somewhat controversially, Callum Shepherd was replaced by Rab Havlin for the contest at Epsom. Havlin retains the ride here, and connections will be hoping that their faith and expense will be rewarded with Derby glory.

For James Fanshawe, a first Group 1 success since 2020 beckons, or will Aidan O’Brien have a trump card up his sleeve and thwart AMBIENTE FRIENDLY? Whatever happens, the Irish Derby is sure to be a cracker.

Race seven on the day sees another handicap contest ran over one mile. Defending Champion BLUES EMPEROR looks to defend his crown and is the horse of choice here.

Last seen finishing behind the reopposing State Actor and Casanova after two months off, it is clear that was a prep run and the goal was to be ready to retain this contest on Derby Day. BLUES EMPEROR has disappointed a little of late, as he previously flattered to deceive in the Lincoln, however the weight swing in this race is the eyecatcher.

Beaten two and a half lengths by State Actor and half a length back to Casanova, BLUES EMPEROR was weighted eleven and thirteen pounds higher than both rivals respectively whilst Cheers Again was seven pounds higher in third. After handicap amendments and Rory Mulligan takes off his seven pound claim, BLUES EMPEROR will be receiving six pounds from State Actor whilst only being weighted one higher than Casanova and two lower than Cheers Again.

He also returns to a mark only one pound higher than when winning this race last year when taking into account Mulligan’s claim. Murtagh has been in fine form himself, operating at a strike rate of 17% in the past 14 days showing his horses are clearly in fine fettle. BLUES EMPEROR is on a handy mark with Rory Mulligan’s claim firmly putting him in the mix to overturn a two length deficit getting six pounds this time instead of giving eleven.

Coeur d’Or, State Actor and Cheers Again are obvious dangers, however BLUES EMPEROR sits at an appealing each way price.