16:15 Curragh

Saturday 19 July 2025

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

Michael John Kennedy Curragh Cup (Group 2)

Off time: 16:16 | Winning time: 3m 1.81s

(7)

Al Riffa^p²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-11| J: Dylan Browne McMonagle| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 118| C

4/5

Very smart horse. Blinkered for 1st time, good 1¾ lengths second of 12 to Rebel's Romance in Hardwicke Stakes (4/1) at Royal Ascot (12f, good to firm) 28 days ago. Usual cheekpieces go back on and holds leading form claims.

Form: 210-342

(6)

Harbour Wind^p²⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-11| J: Chris Hayes| T: D K Weld| OR: 107| D

6/1

Smart gelding. Hampered over 2f out when a good seventh of 13 in handicap (6/1) at this course (12f, good) 20 days ago. Yard in good form so can go well.

Form: 1215-57

(9)

London City²⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-11| J: Ronan Whelan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 101

33/1

Useful colt. 10/1, eighteenth of 25 in handicap at this course (16f, good) 20 days ago. No forlorn hope.

Form: 56/115-0

(1)

Queenstown^b²⁸

Age: 5| Weight: 9-11| J: Wayne Lordan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 104| C

18/1

Smart gelding. Course winner. 7¼ lengths sixth of 7 to Uluru in listed race at Limerick (12.3f, good, 85/40) 28 days ago. Trainer going well so he's very much one to consider.

Form: 32200-6

(4)

Uxmal³⁹²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-11| J: Mikey Sheehy| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 108| D

20/1

Smart gelding. 2/1, career best when winning Queen Alexandra at Royal Ascot (21.6f, good to firm) 13 months ago. Significantly down in trip with his fitness to prove.

Form: 4212/11-

(3)

Drawn To Dream¹⁰

Age: 5| Weight: 9-8| J: Seamie Heffernan| T: R O'Sullivan| OR: 103

22/1

Useful mare. 50/1, good ½-length second of 9 to Goodie Two Shoes in Stanerra Stakes at Fairyhouse (14f, good) 10 days ago, sticking to task. Can make her presence felt again.

Form: 4276-52

(8)

Shackleton²⁰

Age: 3| Weight: 9-0| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 104| C

3/1

Useful colt. Course winner. 7 lengths eighth of 10 to Lambourn in Irish Derby (50/1) at this course (12f, good) 20 days ago. Shortlisted.

Form: 213-448

Non-Runners

(2)

Leinster³²

Weight: 9-11| Age: 4

T: J P O'Brien J: Declan McDonogh

(5)

Comic Book¹⁰

Weight: 9-8| Age: 4

T: Mrs J Harrington J: Shane Foley

Forecasts

Al Riffa (4/5), Shackleton (3/1), Harbour Wind (6/1), Leinster (14/1), Queenstown (18/1), Uxmal (20/1), Drawn To Dream (22/1), London City (33/1), Comic Book (50/1)

AL RIFFA holds the clear edge on form so is fancied to go one better than his good Hardwicke second and open his account for the season. Stablemate Queenstown could emerge as the chief threat, although Harbour Wind and Drawn To Dream enter calculations too.