This weekend, all eyes are on The Curragh, where two of Ireland's biggest races take centre stage. Saturday features the Pretty Polly Stakes, before attention turns to Sunday's Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby, one of the highlights of the European flat racing calendar.
Back in the UK racing begins on Friday evening with Newcastle's all-weather card, headed by the Hoppings Fillies' Stakes. Elsewhere there is flat racing from Doncaster and Yarmouth, while the jumps season continues at Cartmel.
Saturday offers a varied programme with meetings from Newcastle, Chester, Chepstow and Lingfield, alongside international action from Eagle Farm in Australia, Churchill Downs in the United States and Sha Tin in Hong Kong.
The weekend's feature race is undoubtedly the Irish Derby. Aidan O'Brien is responsible for half of the eight declared runners as he bids for yet another success in the Classic. Benvenuto Cellini heads the betting at around 7/4 following his luckless run in the Derby at Epsom, where his race was effectively over before it had begun.
There is also competitive summer jumping on Sunday, with the Summer Cup Handicap Chase at Uttoxeter providing one of the highlights of the National Hunt calendar during the warmer months.
The racing calendar settles down slightly after the weekend, with meetings from Ffos Las, Windsor, Pontefract, Thirsk and Musselburgh through the middle of next week.
Looking a little further ahead, attention will soon switch to Sandown and the Coral-Eclipse on 4 July, the first major clash of the season between the leading three-year-olds and their older rivals.
Big races this week
6:53pm Newcastle, Friday (SKY)
JenningsBet In Delves Hoppings Fillies' Stakes (Group 3)
1m2f, All-Weather
6:58am Eagle Farm, Saturday
Tattersall's Tiara (Group 1)
7f, Flat Turf
3:15pm Newcastle, Saturday (ITV)
Northumberland Plate Handicap
2m½f, All-Weather
3:33pm Chester, Saturday (SKY)
Queen Charlotte Fillies' Stakes (Listed Race)
7f, Flat Turf
3:55pm Curragh, Saturday (RTE2)
Paddy Power Pretty Polly Stakes (Group 1)
1m2f, Flat Turf
11:14pm Churchill Downs, Saturday (SKY)
Stephen Foster Stakes (Grade 1)
1m1f, Dirt
3:27pm Uttoxeter, Sunday (SKY)
bet365 Summer Cup Handicap Chase
3m, Chase
4:35pm Curragh, Sunday (RTE1)
Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby (Group 1)
1m4f, Flat Turf
*All races above are listed in UK time.
Race Notes
4:35pm Irish Derby - Curragh
The Irish Derby looks set to be one of the races of the weekend, with Aidan O'Brien responsible for four of the eight runners as he bids to extend his remarkable record in the Curragh Classic.
The market is headed by Benvenuto Cellini, who many feel remains the horse to beat despite his luckless run in the Derby at Epsom. His chance disappeared before the race had really begun after becoming badly hampered leaving the stalls, and that effort is easy enough to forgive. His impressive victory in the Chester Vase showed he has both the class and stamina for this trip, and Ryan Moore is once again in the saddle.
Epsom Derby winner Christmas Day returns for another crack at Classic glory. He handled testing conditions superbly at Epsom and fully deserved his victory, although this will be a different examination on much quicker ground. If he reproduces that Derby form, he'll take plenty of beating once again.
The unbeaten Raaheeb is perhaps the most interesting challenger to Ballydoyle. Owen Burrows' colt has raced only twice but created a big impression when winning the Classic Trial at Sandown, although this is a significant step up into Group 1 company.
James J Braddock shouldn't be overlooked either. Joseph O'Brien's colt won the Leopardstown Derby Trial before running an excellent third at Epsom. With only five starts to his name, there could still be plenty more improvement to come, making him an interesting each-way contender.
Among the outsiders, Pierre Bonnard is capable of bouncing back after disappointing at Epsom, while Action, another from the Ballydoyle team, has solid Group race form without quite looking good enough to trouble the principals.
With four runners, Aidan O'Brien once again holds a very strong hand, but this doesn't look a straightforward renewal. Benvenuto Cellini has obvious claims if putting Epsom behind him, Christmas Day arrives as the proven Derby winner, while Raaheeb remains the horse with the biggest untapped potential.
Selection: Christmas Day (Win)
Antepost Watch
Earth Shot has been one of the biggest movers in the ante-post markets for the Juddmonte Irish Oaks at the Curragh on 18 July.
Having been available at 40/1 before Royal Ascot, she is now as short as 3/1 after an impressive victory in the Ribblesdale Stakes.
The way she finished her race suggested stepping up to the 1m4f of the Irish Oaks should hold no fears, and bookmakers have reacted accordingly. She has gone from being an outsider to one of the leading contenders in the space of a single run.
There's still plenty of time before the Curragh Classic, but Earth Shot has firmly put herself into the picture and is one to keep a close eye on over the coming weeks.
Racing Syndicates
Pompey Ventures have added another interesting youngster to their team: a filly by Twilight Son out of Fellbeck, who will be trained by Ollie Sangster at Manton House.
She was bought at the Goffs Orby Book 2 Yearling Sale for €21,000 and is qualified for the Goffs €2 Million Series, which gives her a useful early target. She is also expected to be aimed at Band D restricted races, giving connections a sensible route as she develops.
On paper, there is plenty to like. Her dam has a good record of producing useful fillies, with 50% of her previous female offspring rated 8us0 or higher, while the wider family includes smart black type performers.
Pompey Ventures felt she was well bought at the price, but the real appeal came when they saw her in person. Their describe her as an eye-catching physical with real potential, noting her size and movement. Trainer Ollie Sangster was also keen during the bidding, which helped make her a must-have addition for Team PV.
Interest in learning more, click here.
Betting Offers
Betfred will be active again around the major racing action, with promo offers, extra places on selected races, and regular racing specials available throughout the week.
Away from racing, Betfred also has a full range of promotions planned around the FIFA World Cup.
18+ Please gamble responsibly. #ad Need help? contact GambleAware.org
Racing News
Here are a few racing updates that caught the eye this week.
Racing Legends - Bobbyjo
Bobbyjo’s 1999 Grand National victory was a landmark Irish success that ended a 24‑year drought and helped usher in a new era of Irish dominance at Aintree.
Run in drying spring ground on 10 April 1999, the race produced a decisive 10‑length winner and a story steeped in family history.
Thanks for reading! Let’s catch up again next week.
Regards
The Newsletter Team
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