16:15 Curragh

Saturday 20 July 2024

All13:3014:0014:3515:0515:4016:1516:5017:25

Comer Group International Curragh Cup (Group 2)

Off time: 16:17 | Winning time: 3m 1.60s

(5)

Aircraft Carrier⁹⁶⁷

Age: 9| Weight: 9-11| J: Gary Carroll| T: L Comer| OR: 81| D

300/1

Out of sorts and most unlikely to make his mark in a race of this nature.

Form: 985006/

(8)

Eastern Legend^p,t⁷⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: Rory Cleary| T: J S Bolger| OR: 97| D

66/1

Useful on Flat/over hurdles and ran with plenty of credit when second in a handicap off 95 at Navan last time. Others have achieved more, though.

Form: 31331-2

(2)

Raise You^h¹⁸

Age: 8| Weight: 9-11| J: Dylan Browne McMonagle| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 104| CD

28/1

Smart at his best but both efforts (particularly the latest one) this year suggest he might not be the force of old. Others more persuasive.

Form: 1215/47

(1)

Seattle Creek⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 9-11| J: Seamie Heffernan| T: L Comer| OR: 85

200/1

Useful sort who didn't need to be at his best to land a minor event at Leopardstown recently. Will likely be outclassed in this company, however.

Form: 082/461

(10)

Tower Of London⁶⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 116| BF

13/8

Improver in the Middle East at the start of this year, bagging valuable prizes around 2m in Saudi and Dubai. Bit disapppointing in the Yorkshire Cup at York last time but top yard will likely have him back on track and he sets the standard.

Form: 249-115

(3)

Vauban^t³⁰

Age: 6| Weight: 9-11| J: Colin Keane| T: W P Mullins| OR: 113| D

11/8

High-class hurdler and also really smart on the Flat. Excellent fourth in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot last time and is expected to put up another bold showing.

Form: 1/110-24

(9)

Dancing Tango^t¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: Declan McDonogh| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 102

25/1

Smart and likeable mare who was best of those held up when second in the Stanerra Stakes at Fairyhouse last time. Could be involved if the race is run to suit.

Form: 341-422

(6)

Shamida²⁹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-8| J: Chris Hayes| T: D K Weld| OR: 106| CD

9/1

Highly progressive last season prior to a lesser run at Longchamp to sign off. Looks the type to make a better 4yo, so worth monitoring in the betting on return.

Form: 3/31117-

(11)

Gasper De Lemos^v1³⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Wayne Lordan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 99| C

16/1

Won a Curragh maiden (7f) prior to a good second in Group 3 Zetland Stakes at Newmarket (10f) on final outing at 2yrs. Best effort this year when fifth in King George V Handicap at Royal Ascot last time but this is a big ask.

Form: 412-635

(7)

Grosvenor Square²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: Gavin Ryan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 104

17/2

Winner of 2 of his 3 starts as a 2-y-o, signing campaign off with success in the Eyrefield Stakes at Leopardstown. Yet to hit top form this season but this is an easier contest than the Irish Derby (last time), so may yet get back on the up.

Form: 131-37

Non-Runners

(12)

Crypto Force²⁸

Weight: 9-11| Age: 4

T: A Murray J: D Egan

(4)

Kinesiology⁴⁴

Weight: 8-13| Age: 3

T: Mrs J Harrington J: Shane Foley

Forecasts

Vauban (11/8), Tower Of London (13/8), Grosvenor Square (17/2), Shamida (9/1), Kinesiology (10/1), Gasper De Lemos (16/1), Crypto Force (16/1), Dancing Tango (25/1), Raise You (28/1), Eastern Legend (66/1), Seattle Creek (200/1), Aircraft Carrier (300/1)

TOWER OF LONDON is the form pick and might not have reached his limit, so he's fancied to dispell a poor run in the Yorkshire Cup and get back to winning ways. Vauban is an obvious danger having hit the frame in the Gold Cup and Shamida is an interesting one on reappearance.