We give our best Curragh horse racing tips on Friday where it is Irish 2000 Guineas day.
The Irish horse racing action continues onto the Curragh on Friday for the first of two top-class days’ horse racing action on Irish Guineas weekend.
The Irish 2000 Guineas dominates the day one racecard at the premier Irish flat racing venue and the season’s first Classic is joined on a stellar card by the Group Two Mooresbridge Stakes as well as the competitive Irish Lincoln Handicap on what promises to be an unmissable racecard.
The pick of the action on Friday’s racecard will be shown live on ITV Racing and we’ve picked out our best Curragh horse racing tips for the day’s action. Be sure to check out our dedicated Irish 2000 Guineas preview and read our tips below!
CURRAGH HORSE RACING TIPS ON FRIDAY 12 JUNE
5:10 Curragh – Equine MediRecord Handicap (3yo+) 6f
A competitive handicap contest could go the way of the consistent ICE COLD IN ALEX who rarely runs a bad race and Ken Condon’s charge can gain some just rewards for a series of consistent efforts last term.
The six-year old boasts some solid form at this venue, winning here twice which includes in the 2018 season and he also struck at Leopardstown in the same campaign. Although he failed to add to his tally last term in five outings he finished fourth or better each time including behind the reopposing Verhoyen over course and distance.
He was giving that rival weight and enjoys a significant pull now so could turn the tables and he was only beaten a half-length when last seen over an extra furlong at Leopardstown in September.
A repeat of that effort from the same mark ought to see him firmly in the mix once more and with a strong pace likely then this hold-up performer looks to hold solid claims of making a return to winning ways.
Ice Cold In Alex can get back to winning ways at the Curragh.
6:10 Curragh – Coolmore Ten Sovereigns Gallinule Stakes (Group 3) (3yo) 1m2f
Aidan O’Brien’s Mythical sets a solid standard but given the form of Jessica Harrington’s runners since the restart of Irish racing then it could be worth chancing GOLD MAZE to come out on top and the Golden Horn colt has showed a good level of ability in his two starts to date.
Undone by inexperience behind Irish 2000 Guineas hopeful Sinawann on his debut here in August he stepped up on that effort to post a creditable third behind Innisfree in the Group Two Beresford Stakes when last seen in September. He had travelled well into that contest, leading into the last furlong but couldn’t match the front pair for pace in the heavy conditions.
Both those pieces of form read well and he is bred to appreciate this stiffer test so every chance he can show improvement on his return with the better ground unlikely to present too much of an issue.
Given the form of his yard he has to be afforded plenty of respect and it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him find a chunk of progress to post a big effort here.
7:15 Curragh – Paddy Power Irish Lincolnshire (Premier Handicap) (4yo+) 1m
BOWERMAN had been on good terms with himself prior to the shutdown of the season, winning twice on the all-weather at Dundalk and then getting to within one length of Volfango in a French Listed contest on his final start in February.
Adrian McGuinness’ Dutch Art gelding was a turf winner last September at Gowran Park and he had shown himself to be a useful sort for Roger Varian prior to his switch with three wins from six starts.
Thought good enough to contest a Group Three for this yard at Tipperary in August, he struggled to get competitive; but back in a handicap and with a very good record fresh – 3-4 returning from breaks greater than 90 days – then he can make his presence felt here from what looks a very attractive rating.
He had placed on firm ground during his time in England and while he probably needs a shade more in a more competitive contest he has a solid profile and a good record at the distance so it wouldn’t come as a shock if he were to step up here with a big effort back on turf and he can go well.
Fleeting can close our Curragh horse racing tips with a win in the finale.
7:45 Curragh – Coolmore Magna Grecia Irish EBF Mooresbridge Stakes (Group 2) (4yo+) 1m2½f
Search For A Song is on a hat-trick and the Irish St Leger winner looks set to go close in her bid for a three-timer; but FLEETING could prove the one to side with in the finale and Aidan O’Brien can close out Irish 2000 Guineas day with a winner.
The Zoffany filly was winless last term having completed her juvenile campaign with a win in the May Hill Stakes; but despite failing to add to her tally she ran a number of solid races in defeat including finishing third in the Epsom Oaks and runner-up in the Irish Oaks where she finished ahead of Dermot Weld’s runner.
The winner, Star Catcher, proved to be a thorn in her side and she again came up short behind that rival in the British Champions Fillies & Mares’ Stakes where she finished fourth; she had got to within a short-head of Villa Marina in the Group One Prix De L’Opera on her previous outing.
This drop in trip on her return to action is no problem for the Ballydoyle runner who ought to be more suited to the distance than her hat-trick seeking rival; while the quicker ground will also prove no issue and every chance she can get back to winning ways here easing back slightly in grade.