The Curragh hosts one of Ireland’s premier race cards with the Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas headlining a loaded Saturday program. This race-by-race breakdown combines Tom’s Tips and Rich’s Ranks for Races 2–6, highlighting proven European form, Group stakes runners, class changes, and potential value plays.
🏇 THE CURRAGH PICKS
RACE 2 – Sherry FitzGerald Country Homes Orby Stakes – 8:55 am ET
Tom’s Tips
7 – Nyra – racing in Germany against a group company. This filly has done
well, and her last win was at Hamburg in July last season in a Group Three.
First start of the season and an interesting placement. Bettors are
interested too.
4 – Emit – he has two runs this season and ran fourth, then third. Both
efforts at fourteen furlongs, the farthest the horse has ever run. Drops to a
shorter race and doesn’t have the likes of Scandinavia to run against.
5 – Purview – one paper, his should be the favorite and won two races and
ran second in the other two races. First start of the season, adds distance.
Too far or just right? Will see.
Rich’s Ranks
4 – EMIT – 3rd up and running well
5 – PURVIEW – betting favorite in four of his five races
2 – TRUSTYOURINSTINCT – has G3 win on a Good Curragh track
7 – NYRA – German horse ITM 9/9 races
RACE 3 – Keadeen Hotel Handicap – 9:30 am ET
Tom’s Tips
3 – Iowa City – the only race this season, she was in a forward position and
gave way late in the race. Overall, she has had some good runs with a
maiden win at Galway. She faced better, it’s a matter of getting a good.
11 – Fiver Friday – he’s won his last two races, one at this level at this track
and a hurdle race at seventeen furlongs, pretty easily. In her prior two
races, she ran second in the hurdles going sixteen furlongs. Strong
handicap level horse to win again.
17 – Fixation – One run this season, ran second at Leopardstown going one
mile. He didn’t get off to the best of starts, but was steady going around.
He’s been good on the all-weather. Has form, but this may be a big ask in
this race. I will take a chance.
13 – Yulia – ran average in her first run of the season, behind a bit, running
fifth. She needed the race because her run in France has been good
overall. She’s run well on the all-weather at Deauville and has won a Nacy
going fifteen furlongs in the very soft going. She may want more distance
and the good to yielding maybe right for her.
Rich’s Ranks
9 – PERFECT YOUR CRAFT – All or Nothing 6/3-0-0 – 2/3 in first ups like today
10 – PERRY MASON – just needs to build a little from his last effort
17 – FIXATION – resume says good chance to be better in round two off the sidelines
13 – YULIA – betting favorite in six of last seven races
RACE 4 – Weatherbys Ireland Greenlands Stakes – 10:05 am ET
Tom’s Tips
5 – Comanche Brave – he’s only won once at this distance, and that was his maiden
race. This will be his first start of the season, and he has done ok in the past. They have
tried him at seven furlongs and one mile, but that doesn’t seem to suit. So for his first
run, this should be interesting at good odds.
6 – Jame’s Delight – he ran at Doncaster for his first start of the season and ran midpack,
and needed a start last year before winning this race. I think he can do it again off the
last run.
9 – Spycatcher – also ran in the same race at Doncaster, finished near the back, and
was always behind. He needed that run, and he’s good enough to get a placing in this
race.
Rich’s Ranks
3 – BUCANERO FUERTE – most consistent high end runner
1 – POWERFUL GLORY – been off since winning a Group 1 in October – 1st up spotty
7 – MARVELMAN – some of the most upside in the race – we’ll see some of it here
5 – COMANCHE BRAVE – has a lot of upside with a trio of third with Ryan Moore riding
RACE 5 – Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas – 10:40 am ET
Tom’s Tips
Neolithic – he has had three runs this season, one win, and placed third in the other two
races. His last run was at this track, where he tried the mile for the first time. He did well
on the lead but didn’t have the finish to win. I think he will this time.
Thesecretadversary – he won his first start of the season in a group three at
Leopardstown going seven furlongs. He ran in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket and
finished fifth. He pulled hard in that race and appeared to be running on the wrong side
of the track. Not a great trip, much better today.
Distant Storm – he ran third in the 2000 Guineas last time for his first start of the season.
He also appeared to be running on the wrong side. He fought on for a second but in the
end had enough to hold on to beat the others. He was beaten by over ten lengths.
Appleby and will improve today with new rider Billy Loughnane.
Rich’s Ranks
1 – ALPARSLAN – taking 1 shot to beat the big fav – looking for big pop in 2nd up
5 – GSTAAD – 7 races – three wins and four seconds
7 – PACIFIC AVENUE – a bomb with 2nd race upside too
RACE 6 – Heider Family Stables Gallinule Stakes – 11:15 am ET
Tom’s Tips
2 – Causeway – is the big favorite because of winning the last three out of
four races, moving up the ladder from maiden, then handicap to listed race.
He’s been the favorite in all of those wins. Add more distance today, aiming
for a group win. Moore/O’Brien.
9 – Drop Dead Gorgeous – another O’Brien run, who has only two races in
his career, winning a maiden at Naas and running third in a group race at
the Curragh. He didn’t get a clear run in the last race. Adding distance
should be ok but it needs to be in a better spot with one furlong to go.
4 – Shaihaan – he won his first start of the season, beating maidens pretty
easily. Then tried a Group 3 race at Leopardstown and finished fourth of
five runners. He wasn’t happy at the starting gate and frankly may have run
his race before it even started. I will give him another chance.
Rich’s Ranks
2 – CAUSEWAY – improved in each of his three races after his debut – Moore goes here instead of…
9 – DROP DEAD GORGEOUS – betting fav in both starts – 3rd start for the 1st time – boom/bust – Moore gets off
1 – AMADEUS MOZART – Moore gets off this one too in his third career start
