7 10 23 Curragh Content and Chris Hayes win the Staffordstown Stud Stakes Group 3 from Kitty Rose Healy Racing Photo© Photo Healy Racing
A Group 1 weekend of racing action awaits at the Curragh with the fillies taking the spotlight in the Irish Oaks on Saturday. Following her 25-1 second in the July Cup last week, Emma Nagle has cast an eye over the form and picked out her idea of the value on offer.
Currawood was a big eyecatcher on debut at the Curragh and can make that experience count in the opener. The acclamation colt was drawn wide when the race seemed to develop on the inside before he got much chance to get involved; he should be sharper here. The Johnny Murtagh trained Dakota Blue is the obvious danger after showing himself well behind a winner on debut last time.
Greek Flower has been in fine form this season and ran a career best when top of her group in the Rockingham last time. Despite a 7lb rise for that effort, she can get involved here at each way prices. Her run to finish second to She’s Quality in Down Royal before that was noteworthy, chasing down the aptly named winner who has since franked the form. Coming from a yard operating at a 30% strike rate in the past three weeks she should put in a bold show.
Believing ran two fine races to be fourth twice at Royal Ascot last month and she can take advantage of this drop down in class. The form of her Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes run looks particularly strong after the second and third that day fought out last weekend’s July Cup. With Ryan Moore on board for the first time she will be hard to beat.
Content may be living in younger sibling Bedtime Story’s shadow so far this season, but can put her own name in lights if becoming Galileo’s 100 Group 1 winner in Saturday’s classic. After a few low key efforts this year, she stepped up markedly when producing a career best effort in the Pretty Polly Stakes, and it’s no surprise to see her be the choice of Ryan Moore. The Paddy Twomey trained Purple Lily can improve for stepping up in trip, she looks overpriced at around 20/1.
It’s interesting to see that Luke Comer (Jnr) will take charge of two of his recently suspended father’s runners ahead of this Comer Group sponsored race, although on ratings they are likely just making up the numbers. Vauban’s stamina was pushed to the limit in the Gold Cup last time but stepping back in trip will be hard to beat under the reigning Champion Jockey. The Dermot Weld trained Shamida is an interesting runner off a ten-month layoff. The Australia filly was tough and progressive at three, winning a St Leger trial over this trip and was thought of as a genuine Group 1 contender by connections. If back to her best after a long layoff she can put it up to the favourite.
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