Tony Keenan is back with a look ahead to today's Classic action from the Curragh.
Irish racing tips: Saturday July 18
1pt win Tribeca in 16:00 the Curragh at 16/1 (General)
The Juddmonte Irish Oaks (16:35) is an unusual Irish Classic, four Aidan O’Brien-trained runners the outsiders of the field, his other filly only with a chance of sorts. It is Joseph O’Brien that that has the stronger challenge, not least Epsom winner Thundering On.
A repeat of her Oaks performance will surely see her win, but she must overcome a disappointing effort in the Pretty Polly, albeit with excuses, while slower ground would suit better – like all tracks, the Curragh have been watering but a warm day with some wind is forecast.
It is hard to split the first and second from the Ribblesdale Stakes, Earth Shot and Johanna Walsh, both having bits and pieces of reasons why they might improve, and perhaps one of the less exposed runners can pull off a minor surprise.
The supplemented Sparan Nua clearly has a chance and did well to win last time, beating older rivals, but Rebel Moon, another supplemented runner, might be most overpriced. She won her maiden very well, settling the race quickly with Johanna Walsh among those she beat, before a small hold up meant a break.
She returned to win a Listed race at Naas, beating one that was well-suited by conditions and got the run of the race, looking as if 12 furlongs would suit. She needs to improve, and her draw could have been better (stall 10 of 11), but she has the upside and the visual impression to make an impact.
The rest of the card is excellent, not least the Group 2 Tulfarris Hotel and Golf Resort Sapphire Stakes at 15:25. A few in the field are coming on from the King Charles III Stakes and Cover Up looks to have as good a chance as any. He was returning from a break at Ascot and travelled as well as any before meeting trouble in running late.
There should be pace for him to run at here, while another with a chance is Havana Anna who shapes as if the drop to five furlongs will suit.
Perhaps the most interesting betting race on the card is the GAIN Railway Stakes (16:00). It is a not a strong Group 2, five of the seven runners have gone to Royal Ascot, none of them running particularly well.
The Ballydoyle pair have both been out quickly since, Confucius seeming to have every chance in an ordinary renewal of the Anglesey where he finished third and Carry The Flag winning a weak Listed race at Naas. Both seem opposable.
TRIBECA has the best maiden form in the field, the race he won at Navan working out well, the four to follow him home winning since, including the fourth landing the Windsor Castle.
That run was back in April over six furlongs, suggesting he is more of a long-term prospect than an early two-year-old, yet connections strangely opted to run him in the Norfolk next time. He got buzzed up before that run which came after a break, initially going with a strong early gallop before getting outpaced and keeping on a little late.
It looked a run where everything was wrong – the preparation, the trip, the preliminaries – and he looks well worth another chance under more suitable conditions.
The final Group race on the card is the Al Shira'aa Racing Meadow Court Stakes at 14:15 where One Look should take beating for all she might prefer slower ground and shaped as if a mile-and-a-half was well within her reach last time.
The feature handicap, Liverpool FC Foundation Scurry Handicap (14:50), is a cracking race of its type. The usual suspects like Go Athletico, City House and Back Down Under all have their chance, but my two against the field are Sondad and Moltophino.
Sondad is a versatile sort with the right profile, a UK sprinter running in Ireland, and has been in good form this season, winning his side in the Wokingham.
Moltophino takes a bit more explaining. He was fifth in this race off five pounds higher, not getting the hop of the ball. Initially part of a strong pace, he was taken back but then meet some trouble in running, running two races in one.
He dipped out of form thereafter but shaped well last time in the Rockingham over a trip too sharp. After stumbling from the stalls, he found himself in the rear of the field but ran on strong late to finish seventh, shaping as if in good order. His stable is in nothing like the form they were in 2025, but he looks overpriced from an each-way perspective.
Preview published at 08:25 BST on 28/06/26
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