Phoenix Stakes Day At The Curragh

Secretinthepark was a very welcome winner for the blog yesterday at 7/1. I had wondered where the next winner was going to come from after rattling the crossbar quite a lot over the past few days, and to be honest I thought we had got mugged on the line. McEvoy managed to get him back up though, and I think I may have disturbed a few neighbours with an almighty roar when Channel 4 showed the still on the line.

The best of Sunday's domestic action comes from the Curragh, with the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes the main attraction. Below are my selctions for the day.


2.20 Curragh (Maiden 8F)

Some seriously well bred animals lining up for this maiden, and all the top yards and owners are represented. Many hold classic entries for next year, and from a punting point of view it is a decidedly tricky puzzle to solve.
A watching brief is probably best advised, but one that has a pedigree as good as any and looks overpriced is the Kevin Prendergast colt Mutadaffeq. He is a son of top class sire New Approach, and is out of a half sister to Rockfel and Irish 1000 Guineas winner Hula Angel. The owners also have the much shorter priced half brother to Dark Angel, Almanaara, trained by Dermot Weld, but he is only 9/2, and at 16/1 the Prendergast horse could run well. Small stakes the way to go in this minefield of a race.

Stevos' Selection: Mutadaffeq (16/1 e/w)

2.50 Curragh (Fillies 6F)

Willie McCreery has looked to be hitting form recently, and his Arcano filly Erysimum looks too big a price at 14/1 here. She ran a perfectly respectable race on debut, and if she comes on  for that she should be capable of making her presence felt.

Stevos' Selection: Erysimum (14/1 e/w)

3.20 Curragh (Handicap 7F)

Mick Mulvany had a nice winner, Battleroftheboyne, the other night, and Jembatt also ran a decent race for him during the week. It looks as if his horses are starting to hit a little bit of form, and Tom Dooley looks a huge price here.
He races off a mark of 61, just a pound higher than he was for his last flat win, a decisive victory over today's trip on good to firm at Gowran. He has been running well enough in recent weeks, and the handicapper has dropped him two pounds for his last run at Galway, which wasn't bad at all considering the ground would have been plenty soft enough for him. Young Downey takes off a handy 5lb too, and back on decent ground he could well run a massive race. He looks way too big a price at 20/1 and is worthy of each way support.

Stevos' Selection: Tom Dooley (20/1 e/w)

3.50 Curragh (Phoenix Stakes Group 1 6F)

You can find my in depth preview and selection at Bettingtools .


4.20 Curragh (Phoenix Sprint Stakes Group 3 6F)

Anthem Alexander should prove very difficult to beat here dropped in class. He has performed with credit at Group 1 level on his last two runs, and the vibes from the stable are strong regarding this one. Unless the rain arrives he is a confident selection. Maarek enters calculations if there is cut in the ground.

Stevos' Selection: Anthem Alexander (5/2)

4.50 Curragh (Handicap 8F)

Lord Carleton is the one I like at a price here. Was favourite last time at  Naas, but I don't know who was backing him as the drop to 6F was never likely to suit. There is plenty of stamina in his pedigree, and the step back up to a mile is likely to suit. The handicapper has given him a real chance,awarding him a mark of just 74 for his handicap debut. With the more than capable Tom Madden taking off another 5lbs it will be disappointing if he can't show up better today. At 16/1 he could run a big race.

Stevos' Selection: Lord Carleton (16/1 e/w)

5.20 Curragh (2yo Handicap 5F)

A trappy little contest and no strong opinion here. Perhaps China Eyes can improve with Gary Halpin in the plate for the first time and on her handicap debut.

Stevos' Selection: China Eyes (10/1).