Irish racing expert Tony Keenan has one bet for this afternoon’s card at the Curragh.
Aidan O’Brien has had hard luck with his two-year-old colts in the last couple of months, Albert Einstein and Charles Darwin off the track just now, and it looks a distinct possibility that Gstaad is heading the same way after news that he was a ‘bit quiet in himself’ yesterday morning.
Hopefully, the setback is not serious, but he is an uncertain runner in the Keeneland Phoenix Stakes at 4:00 which should leave the way clear for True Love to beat a field mainly comprised of rivals she beat easily last time.
The other Group race on the card, the FBD Hotels And Resorts Phoenix Sprint Stakes at 3:25, has drawn a much bigger field than usual, 14 runners the most since Osterhase won in 2005 when 15 took part.
Babouche bids to get back on track after racing too keenly in the Commonwealth Cup though her stablemate My Mate Alfie could be more solid. He has a good record at the track, and his form last year suggests he could be a second half of the season horse though his draw in stall one is not ideal.
Bucanero Fuerte has the ability to win a race like this but it is unclear why he has been off since May as no updates have been given though he does go well fresh and perhaps the break is intentional.
Three juvenile races open the card, and Al Haarith looks the right favourite in the first having caught the eye over course and distance over Derby weekend while his stable’s juveniles have been improving for the run moreso than was the case last year.
Justiciar might prove best of the ones with a run in the Grand Hotel Malahide Irish EBF Fillies Juvenile Race at 2:50, the penny really dropping with her late on debut in a race that has worked out, though that is reflected in the market and the unraced fillies getting weight could be dangerous.
The handicaps at 4:35 and 5:00 look difficult but the Kwiff: Proud Sponsors Of The Supercharge Series Handicap at 5:05 is more interesting because the front end of the market may be vulnerable.
Mint Man won well five days ago at Naas but had looked a tricky sort prior to that and his tendency to hang may have won the race for him as it took him into the favoured part of the track. A nine pounds rise for that looks stiff while Tropical Retreat had no excuses then either.
Bundle Of Interest is another that had a track bias her in favour last time at Navan and has copped a big hike too so instead a chance is taken on TAI TAM BAY.
The selection paid for an impressive win at Naas last year with a 12lbs rise though she largely ran well afterwards and her record over a straight six furlongs is a consistent:313332300.
She shaped well on return over course and distance in March, squeezed out at the start but finishing third to a pair that have gone up 12lbs and 9lbs in the weights respectively while she is 8lbs lower now. She disappointed afterwards but at least one of those was draw-related and given a short break she hinted at a return to form last time at Galway.
Racing over seven furlongs on a turning track that probably wasn’t ideal as she dropped in from a high draw and was travelling as well as anything leaving the dip before getting hampered and shuffled back then kept on well down the rail when not getting a hard time.
Perhaps that will prove a false dawn, and she is just regressive but there was something in that run and this looks a suitable race under her ideal conditions.
Preview posted at 0830 on 09/08/2025
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