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Not every mile race at the Curragh is run on the straight track, there are a few run on the round track such as the Beresford Stakes, the listed/group 3 race on Derby Day (won by Famous Name last year) and a few others.
I was referring to both Guineas. They’ve always been on the ‘straight’ mile for as long as I can remember.
Got £20 on Fencing Master at 5s. like the horse and AOB has good record in the race.
Got £10 on at 50s for the Derby too
Cant figure out who is going to win this race.
Steinbeck at near 4/1 on Betfair is cracking bet but then can he win after such a layoff. Surely Murtagh wouldn’t have got off a Guineas winner in Fencing Master or maybe Colm O Donoghue keeps the ride as he seems to do with Remember When on Sunday as he moves up to probaly no.2 Jockey in Ballydoyle.
Canford Cliffs…never been a fan. Xtension unsexy times 20. Noll Wallop surely not High Chaparrall getting A Guineas Winner.
Maybe Dynasty is the answer?
Ran a smashing race on debut and tempremant is shocking but at 30/1 is he overpriced in a muddling field with no standouts?
Cutlass Bay should win this race. Like their will be simply no excuses if he loses. Everything is in his favour…Ground/Trip/Form.
Wal – I can think of a few reasons why this race is not an ideal target for ‘Cutlass’!
Bookies have F+G 1/2
Yikes….i thought Cutless Bay was a Top Class Animal. Fame and Glory doesn’t have a blistering turn of foot and it will rock hard firm ground. If he was still with Fabre what price would he be not 5/2 imo. More like 6/4 each of 2 or something
Ground/jockey/ experience of horse & course?!
Can you believe that Frankie would go to ride the filly and ‘Kite’ over this potential top prospect?!
Murtagh is staying on Steinbeck despite his lack of a run at Newmarket last year.So he must know something.Since he still needs a run why think he will catch those who already have had a run?(at Newmarket this year)
He’s pretty much meeting Fencing Master in the same way as in the Dewhurst: he’s had a long lay off whereas FM has had a recent run.
I expect very little to be between them again tomorrow, but there could be something special about Steinbeck!
I would agree that each of the leading contenders has something to prove, but it’s hard to look beyond the first four in the betting.
Many still question the ability of Canford Cliffs over this trip. He appeared to stay the mile at Newmarket, although his detractors may argue that his stamina limitations were exposed when he was unable to pass the first two home, despite cruising up to challenge.
Richard Hannon, who was proved correct regarding similar accusations about Paco Boy, is confident his star does stay the trip. The Curragh will suit him better than Newmarket and the expected fast pace will surely help him to settle.
I was among those who expected Fencing Master to come here with a big shout. It’s a worry, however, that Murtagh prefers Steinbeck – a horse expected to come on a lot for this race after missing Newmarket through injury. Both will benefit from the presence of the pace makers (Encompassing and Purple Heart), but I favour Fencing Master to finish best of the Ballydoyle contingent.
Xtension ran right up to his very best at Newmarket. A really likeable horse who maintains his effort right to the line, he lacks that extra bit of power in a finish and will probably find a couple too good again. Will be hard to keep out of the frame, though.
Noll Wallop has always been considered more of an Irish Derby-type, so it was a bonus when he beat Viscount Nelson in a Group Three at Leopardstown over a mile. Tommy Stack was in tremendous form at the time and he may struggle on this occasion, especially against the speedier colts on this surface.
All of these have questions to answer, but it would be something of a surprise if the winner doesn’t come from the first four in the betting. Noll Wallop and Keredari could reach a place, but both have a bit to find and their respective prices don’t have me rushing to back them.
Xtension will be hard to keep out of the first three, but will probably find a few too good and 13/2 doesn’t make too much appeal, either.
I’d take a chance on the stamina of Canford Cliffs. The ground, track and forecast fast pace will be to his advantage and Ballydoyle could just set the race up for him.
My idea of the first three:
1 Canford Cliffs
2 Fencing Master
3 XtensionYeah, the front 4 in the market all have questions to answer but then again most lightly raced 3yo’s do.
XTENSION ticks major boxes for me and as much as I rate Canford Cliffs AND have no doubt that he stays I just can’t have him today. Thats not to say I can’t see him winning but I’m not tempted by the price. XTENSION at 13/2 rates a good bet to me and I expect him to strip much fitter after his English 2000 Guineas re-appearance.
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I’d love to see Canford Cliffs win this, and was convinced he’d stay – until the Guineas. On that evidence alone, he probably won’t last home over this stiffer track if the Coolmore tribe set a strong pace, so while I wouldn’t bet anything to beat him, I’ll take just a watching brief on this one. Amazed he didn’t go to Longchamp though.
At around 9/2, I think Steinbeck is a right price. The only thing that could catch him out is a lack of match practice against more experienced opponents. I really feel he’s O’Brien’s 3yo to follow this season, even if he doesn’t win today. I’ve backed him e/w incase a lack of fitness gets the better of him.
Fencing Mastre is a horse I’ve always liked. He finished ahead of Steinbeck in the Dewhurst in which both horses could be counted as somewhat unlucky imo. I think he could be among the top milers this season, but the vibes from Ballydoyle have never really shouted that he’s in the same league as Steinbeck.
Canford Cliffs is very highly rated by R.Hannon, but I think he’ll be better suited by a return to sprint distances, as he looks to have speed to burn. Xtension is a horse I’ve never really warmed to, and I think he’ll find a couple too good again today.
The Stack and Oxx horses are interesting, but before Noll Wallop won his trial the Irish Derby was his target, so he might not have the speed necessary to win this. He’ll be hard to keep out of the frame though.
Here’s hoping for a good race with no hard luck stories anyway.
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