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Racing fans can enjoy a competitive card of top-class action at the Curragh on Sunday, in addition to the two Group 1 races.
Racing fans can enjoy a competitive card of top-class action at the Curragh on Sunday, in addition to the two Group 1 races.
In the 1m2f Group 3 Gallinule Stakes (4:25), Drumroll will be attempting ten furlongs for the first time following a good second in the Listed Tetrarch Stakes over a mile at the track. A full-brother to Saxon Warrior, the longer distance is expected to suit the Deep Impact colt and he holds an entry for the 1m4f Group 2 King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot.
The experienced Pivotal Trigger is expected to be Drumroll's main opposition, making his seasonal reappearance. A winner of a seven furlong maiden at Galway, he finished third in the Group 3 Prix des Chenes at Longchamp before a well-beaten seventh of seven in the Group 1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardare over the same course. A step up in trip is expected to suit.
WIN: DRUMROLL
The 1m Group 2 Lanwades Stud Stakes is expected to be a competitive affair, with current joint-favourites Honey Girl and Insinuendo. Honey Girl has been unbeaten in two starts since switching stables to Joseph O'Brien, recording a victory in a Curragh maiden before an impressive three-and-a-half length win in the Group 3 Athasi Stakes over seven furlongs. She has been effective at a mile in the past and rates highly.
Insinuendo was an eye-catching one-and-a-half length victor in the Group 3 Park Express Stakes over course and distance on seasonal reappearance. She did not enjoy the step up to ten furlongs when fourth in the Group 2 Mooresbridge Stakes against open company and will probably appreciate a return to a mile against her own sex.
Joseph O'Brien's Goldana cannot be dismissed. A Listed winner in Germany before being switched to the Irish trainer, she made an excellent start for her new yard when taking the Group 3 Gladness Stakes on heavy ground at this track and did previously win on good in Germany. She would probably prefer an ease in the ground though.
WIN: HONEY GIRL
Elsewhere on the card, Aidan O'Brien's Matrika is expected to make a strong start to her career in the 6f Tally Ho Irish EBF Fillies Maiden (1:45). A daughter of No Nay Never, the filly is a full-sister to Group Three winning Hong Kong-based Unicorn Lion and a half-sister to the speedy The Wow Signal. Padraig Roche's Back Down Under is the only horse in the field with prior experience and is expected to improve for her third behind Ribchestina at Naas.
WIN: MATRIKA
RACING & SPORTS SELECTIONS
RACE 1: MATRIKA
RACE 2: QUEEN'S PARDON
RACE 3: BAY BRIDGE
RACE 4: HONEY GIRL
RACE 5: TAHIYRA
RACE 6: DRUMROLL
RACE 7: STAR GALAXY
RACE 8: NEWFOUNDLAND
