LEOPARDSTOWN 13 May 2022 KYPRIOS HEALY RACING© Photo Healy Racing
A look ahead to the four Group 1 races on the card at the Curragh on an outstanding day of action, which includes the final Classic of the season, the Irish St Leger.
Irish St Leger
His talent and tenacity have catapulted Kyprios to the top of the staying division this Flat season and the admirable stayer has been a joy to watch, recording sparkling victories in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot and the Goodwood Cup. The son of Galileo is a firm favourite to add the Irish St Leger to his impressive tally of achievements as trainer Aidan O’Brien attempts to land his sixth Irish St Leger.
Heading the opposition is Irish St Leger Trial winner Raise You for Joseph O’Brien - the Curragh specialist is seeking a fifth victory at the track and the trip and ground should suit. For each-way value, it is worth looking at Paddy Twomey’s Rosscarbery, a progressive and consistent type, just beaten in a Group 1 in France last time.
On a day bursting with quality, four Group 1 races are staged in total and BoyleSports are offering all Irish customers an excellent €50 in free bets + a free bet if your horse finishes second the SP favourite.
Flying Five Stakes
Highfield Princess has climbed through the ranks this season, most recently winning the Group 1 Nunthorpe Stakes at York and is well fancied to land this sprint contest over five furlongs.
Last year’s winner Romantic Proposal, is back at the Curragh, a track she loves and with fresher legs could give the favourite something to think about. Her trips abroad haven’t worked out, however back on home soil, she should run well in Group 1 company.
At a bigger price, last year’s Group 1 Phoenix Stakes victor Ebro River, who represents trainer Hugo Palmer, represents each-way value. The form of his latest win at Chester has worked out well with the second having landed a Listed race since. The ground and track will be no problem for this talented three-year-old, while the stiff five furlongs should be in his favour.
Moyglare Stud Stakes
Four-time winner Meditate was last seen landing the Group 2 Alpha Centauri Debutante Stakes over course and distance and attempts to make it five on the bounce in this contest. Dermot Weld’s Tahiyra, sister to the trainer’s magnificent filly Tarnawa, a multiple Group 1 winner around the world, impressed on debut at Galway and is highly thought of, could be the filly who boasts most potential and will give the favourite something to think about.
Paddy Twomey’s Shelton is a filly on the up and is coming into this off the back of a Group 3 win and may be worth considering at an each-way price. Jockey Billy Lee thought she was well capable of stepping up in class after the course and distance win last time. The ground is an unknown for the daughter of Mehmas but her breeding suggests softer ground shouldn't be a problem.
Vincent O’Brien National Stakes
Aesop’s Fables, a potential superstar is odds-on to take the prize after winning the Group 2 Futurity Stakes last time at the Curragh. There are some high-class individuals in the race, most notably Marbaan, a Group 2 winner who heads over from the UK and Joseph O’Brien has high confidence in his potential star Al Riffa, who is interesting at 14-1.
