Minnie Hauk has little to do to complete double
Aidan O'Brien's filly was promising last season and has improved with both outings this season, culminating in that narrow success from stablemate Whirl in the British Classic.
The form received a nice boost when the runner-up won the Pretty Polly at the Curragh, and if this filly runs to the same form as at Epsom, she will follow up.
Wemightakedlongway was five and a quarter-lengths behind the selection in the Oaks and will do well to narrow that gap.
That said, she rates the only plausible challenger and her trainer, Joseph O'Brien, has his team in top form.
The nap goes to Extravagant, who can get off the mark in the Lavazza Sprint Nursery.
Aidan O'Brien's twice-raced colt was quite green on debut but ran a good race to finish second to Green Soul, and while he was beaten favourite on his second outing, it appeared as though the step up to seven furlongs caught him out.
Back to six for his first handicap, he can make a winning start off his mark of 83.
Old rival Bobby McGee, who has twice finished just behind him, can follow him home. He showed improved form last time and that looks good enough to ensure he goes close here.
Al Riffa can record his first win of the season by taking the Group 2 Michael John Kennedy Curragh Cup.
Joseph O'Brien's five-year-old has done plenty of travelling and this will be his first run in Ireland since finishing second in the International Stakes at this track in 2023.
Last time out, at the Royal meeting in Ascot, he posted a huge effort to finish runner-up to Rebel Romance in the Group 2 Hardwicke Stakes and, at this stage of his career, it looks as though he will appreciate the step up to today's one-mile-six trip.
He is conceding weight to all of his rivals but has a class edge and can make it count.
On Sunday's card, the Mark Prescott-trained Tasmania can build on a promising return from a long lay-off by taking the Group 3 Al Shira'aa Racing Meadow Court Stakes.
The five-year-old has clearly had plenty of issues, but she made her comeback, after almost a year off, in a Group 3 on Newcastle's all-weather track and caught the eye with her runner-up finish.
Bound to be better for the run, and sure to appreciate the bit of ease in the ground, she can make the trip across the Irish Sea a profitable one.
Tommy Lyons' picks:
CURRAGH (Saturday)
1:30 Seoul Force
2:00 Big Gossey
2:35 Puerto Rico
3:05 Powerful Nation
3:40 Minnie Hauk
4:15 Al Riffa (nb)
4:50 Extravagant (nap)
5:25 Shelbiana
Next best
1:30 Action
2:00 Heavenly Power
2:35 Power Blue
3:05 Mgheera
3:40 Wemightakedlongway
4:15 Shackelton
4:50 Bobby McGee
5:25 Proxima Centauri
CURRAGH (Sunday)
1:20 Saint Agatha
1:55 Empress Artemis
2:30 Tasmania (nap)
3:05 Lady In Paris
3:40 Room Service
4:15 Desert Power
4:50 Edelak (nb)
5:25 Sunlight Dance
Next best
1:20 You'll Think Of Me
1:55 Spicy Margarita
2:30 One Look
3:05 Valorous Power
3:40 Diego Velazquez
4:15 Bille Be Quick
4:50 Light As Air
5:25 Treasure Rose
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The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- The Irish Sun
Horse racing tips: ‘He will finish like a train' – Templegate's BIG 22-1 NAP and 1-2-3 King George prediction at Ascot
TEMPLEGATE tackles a monster Saturday of racing confident of bashing the bookies. The big race of the day is the King George from Ascot at 4.10pm - back a horse by clicking their odds below and check out this Advertisement SWORD (3.00 Ascot, nap) Looks sharp in the big £150,000 International Handicap. He struck at Leicester earlier this summer before going close in hot company at Haydock. David O'Meara's hope was unlucky at York last time and will be finishing strongly. The bottom weight was unlucky at York last time and looks ideal for this trip on quick ground. Needs a bit of luck coming late but has enough quality. CALANDAGAN (4.10 Ascot, nb) He has finally lost his nearly horse tag thanks to a blistering Group 1 win at St Cloud last time out. With that win under his belt he can turn the tables on Jan Brueghel who narrowly outmuscled him in the Coronation Cup at Epsom last time. That track clearly didn't suit the French raider who went down by just half a length in the end. He was a sparkling winner of the King Edward VII here last year so course and distance are ideal. Read on for my King George 1-2-3 prediction. Advertisement ALMAQAM (2.40 York, treble) He looks hard to beat after his impressive effort at Sandown last time out in May. He got the better of Ombudsman in the Brigadier Gerard and he went on to frank the form in style at Royal Ascot. This trip is ideal and some cut in the ground suits too. Templegate's TV verdicts ASCOT Advertisement Most read in Horse Racing 1.40 FITZELLA ran a cracker in the Albany here when she was much the best of the high-drawn horses and those up with the pace early. That was just her third run, and the daughter of Too Darn Hot already boasts a dominant Haydock maiden win, where she powered clear. The Dubawi filly is sister to Breeders' Cup hero Space Blues so is bred to be top class. She could improve significantly. Advertisement Bella Lyra also brings Listed form to the table, having gone down narrowly in a strong Newmarket contest. Her smooth Windsor win before that was eye-catching and Ryan Moore keeps the ride. Amberia and Argentine Tango are closely tied in with Bella Lyra and have place claims. 2.20 Advertisement JANCIS ran a stormer last time out in the Group 1 Pretty Polly at The Curragh, finishing fifth behind top-class Whirl and staying on nicely. She already has a Group 3 success on her CV from last season and dropping back to a mile holds no fears. Royal Dress is a big player after a dominant Listed win at Pontefract and she's shown her best over this distance. All ground suits and she won't be far away. Advertisement Chantilly Lace brings strong Royal Ascot form from the Coronation where she still looked green after just three runs. The fact she was in that race shows what Ralph Beckett thinks of her and this should be easier. Cajole was just a length away in a Sandown Listed race last time and likes quick ground. The booking of William Buick for the Gosdens takes the eye. Advertisement Lou Lou's Gift needed the run at Chelmsford after a year off and could nick a place. 3.00 SWORD looks sharp in the £150,000 International Handicap (3.00 Ascot). He struck at Leicester earlier this summer before going close in hot company at Haydock. Advertisement David O'Meara's hope was unlucky at York last time and will be finishing strongly. Akkadian Thunder, Aalto and Kodi Lion look the biggest dangers. Here's my big-race guide and rating out of five, with one the worst and five the best: ZOUM ZOUM 2 Advertisement ZOUM raider. Listed second earlier this season but faded in the Wokingham and stamina a worry over this trip in a strongly-run race. CITY HOUSE 1 SIN City. Tidy Bahrain record but poor UK form and needs cheekpieces to work wonders. ARRAY 3 Advertisement RAY of hope. Group 2 win last season on soft but form has dipped a little. Stays and may do better in hcap. NORTHERN EXPRESS 3 EXPRESS delivery. Won this last year and shaped well at Haydock last time. Solid chance from 2lb lower. GOLDEN MIND 2 Advertisement MIND games. Consistent in early season but poor in the Wokingham last time. Good claimer on but needs more. GALERON 3 ON the hunt. Well handicapped on past Group form and shaped better than result last time. Place say. AKKADIAN THUNDER 4 Advertisement THUNDER clap. Excellent second in the Buckingham Palace and no luck last time. Can produce another late surge and hit the frame. OLIVER SHOW 2 NO Show. Three AW wins last year and close second in the Lincoln before a poor run ehre latest. Needs best. YORKSHIRE 3 Advertisement YORK talk. Fair run in Buckingham Palace and 1lb lower now. Likes it quick and can't be ignored. FRESH 3 GET Fresh. Won this in 2022 off 3lb higher and fitter for his comeback at Newcastle. Veteran but in place hunt. CERULEAN BAY 2 Advertisement NAY Bay. In and out this year and below form in big handicaps. Needs more from this pretty lofty mark. NOBLE TRUTH 2 TRUTH or dare. Group winner in his prime but out of sorts this season and difficult to fancy despite falling handicap mark. BILLYJOH 3 Advertisement GO Joh. Running well in major handicaps and Bunbury Cup third reads well so place claims again if pace collapses. KODI LION 4 LION roars. Impressive in a big field at Haydock and has good C&D form. Had excuses last time and should go close. QAZAQ 3 Advertisement ZAQ attack. Cracking AW record and some promise over this trip at HQ last time. Can do better. AALTO 4 AALTO play for. Stormed home when second in Bunbury Cup and runs off same mark. Trip suits and William Buick takes over. LORD BERTIE 2 Advertisement LORD help him. Has run well here before but recent form is poor and this looks tough. TWO TRIBES 2 TWO much. Long losing run but promise over this trip at HQ latest. This is tougher. CLASSIC 3 Advertisement HAS Class. Ran well to land nice prize at Sandown last time over a mile. Drop in trip not ideal but a repeat could see him place. PALS BATTALION 1 NO Punter's Pal. Won on AW in spring but turf efforts have been poor this season. Hard to fancy. AL AMEEN 1 Advertisement AL pass. Useful AW form and best over this trip but has sights raised here. SWORD 5 MIGHTY Sword. Bottom weight was unlucky at York last time and looks ideal for this trip on quick ground. Needs a bit of luck coming late but has enough quality. 3.35 Advertisement BOPEDRO is a consistent performer at this level and he ran another massive race when less than a length away at York last time. His last Ascot run saw him go close in the Royal Hunt Cup so this straight mile is right up his street. He has plenty of weight but should be right there. Bullet Point sets the standard after his second in the Hunt Cup on top of three wins. Advertisement A 3lb rise is fair and he'll go close for William Haggas albeit at a fairly skinny price. Teroomm met with real traffic problems in the Buckingham Palace here last time but had been in fine form earlier and could easily bounce back. All-weather winner Cosi Bello went close on his turf debut at Chester and is another in the mix along with Supido who ran well in the Britannia. 4.10 Advertisement CALANDAGAN has finally lost his nearly horse tag thanks to a blistering Group 1 win at St Cloud last time out. With that win under his belt he can turn the tables on Jan Brueghel who narrowly outmuscled him in the Coronation Cup at Epsom last time. That track clearly didn't suit the French raider who went down by just half a length in the end. He was a sparkling winner of the King Edward VII here last year so course and distance are ideal. Advertisement Jan Breughel is the one to fear again given he comes here fresher having not run since Epsom. He is a strong stayer but it's interesting to see Aidan O'Brien put cheekpieces on him today which should sharpen him up. It should be another good battle between the pair. Rebel's Romance is proven at this level and will be no pushover, but may just the legs of his younger rivals. Advertisement Kalpana is a smashing filly. She's an Ascot Group 1 on her CV and gets weight, but she'll still need to find more to shine in this company. My 1-2-3 is: 1st Calandagan 2nd Jan Brueghel 3rd Rebel's Romance YORK Advertisement 2.00 ALZAHIR can keep his fantastic winning run going. He brought up the hat-trick well in a big field at Ascot last time and can cope with a 3lb rise in the weights. He will like this test and goes on any ground. There's every chance of the four-timer. Advertisement Plenty of others lurk with chances. Elmonjed went close at Windsor and is still on a fair mark, while Strike Red, often the bridesmaid, gets conditions to suit and is weighted to go close. Jubilee Walk ran a cracker behind Alzahir at Chester on return and should come on for that, especially with a more prominent ride. Brooklyn Nine Nine is progressive and stayed on strongly to win last time – he's unexposed at this level and won't mind the ground. Advertisement And don't give up on Korker, who returns to his favourite track. 2.40 ALMAQAM looks hard to beat after his impressive effort at Sandown last time out in May. He got the better of Ombudsman in the Brigadier Gerard and he went on to frank the form in style at Royal Ascot. Advertisement This trip is ideal and some cut in the ground suits too. Stanhope Gardens was a respectable fifth in the Derby when he didn't seem to stay 1m4f after travelling well. Dropping in trip looks a wise move and he's another who handles slowish ground. Green Impact was sixth in the Irish Derby latest after winning a Listed contest around this trip. Advertisement He has enough pace to be competitive for Jessica Harrington. Bay City Roller is proven in this grade and just about stayed this far in France last time so can't be ignored. 3.20 COPPER KNIGHT has a solid York record and the 11-year-old has looked up to the task this season in winning twice before going close here last time out. Advertisement He's scored off marks 20lb higher than this in his prime and has enough boot left to strike here for Tim Easterby. He goes on any ground and his middle draw gives him options. Bona Fortuna has been knocking on the door over this trip and is only 2lb higher than his last win. He doesn't mind a bit of juice underfoot. Advertisement 2022 winner Birkenhead went close at Ripon last time and is capable of holding on for a place if blasting off as usual with trainer Paul Midgley in decent nick. Fortunate Star is in flying form having won at Haydock before going close at Donny latest. He should still be ahead of the handicapper and likes this trip. Looking For Lynda is out of sorts but enjoys York and could hit the frame at tasty odds. Advertisement Templegate's tips FREE BETS - GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. . Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: Read more on the Irish Sun Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chases their losses Doesn't gamble if they're upset, angry or depressed Gamcare – Gamble Aware – Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
Irish Examiner
5 days ago
- Irish Examiner
Composing out to build on maiden success
Two matinee meetings take place on Thursday, the National Hunt variety in Wexford and a good Flat programme in Leopardstown. The nap comes in Dublin, where the Aidan O'Brien-trained Composing can build on her maiden success by taking the Group 3 Saudi Cup Silver Flash Stakes. Fifth to Balantina on debut, she stepped up considerably by taking a Curragh maiden on her second start, doing so by beating Cape Sounion by three parts of a length. Most impressive in that display was the pace she showed to take command of the race. While she is stepping up in trip, that shouldn't be an issue for the first foal of Epona Plays, who won at Group 2 level and twice at Group 3. She is an exciting prospect and can prove more than a match for her five rivals. Red Autumn is respected as a live danger. Given how much she stepped forward from her debut to her second start, she could yet be anything and cannot be dismissed lightly despite coming from a Bellewstown maiden to a Group race at this venue. Brownstown was a comfortable winner of a maiden over course and distance and can fill the frame. Only four go to post for the Group 3 Japan Racing Association Tyros Stakes and it is difficult to look beyond Flushing Meadows, who followed up a debut victory with a runner-up finish in a Group 3. That sets the standard, and he can bounce back to winning ways. North Coast is the danger, though Adrian Murray runs two, the more interesting of which is debutant Prospect Thunder. Market support for the latter would be worth noting. The Boylesports Best Odds Guaranteed Rated Race looks fiercely competitive, but Floresta is progressive enough to supplement her recent maiden success. Johnny Murtagh's filly caught the eye on her turf debut and duly built on it by winning in Limerick. The extra furlong of this race will eke further improvement, and she can take this at the expense of Happy Pharaoh. The jumps crew is in Wexford, where yesterday's all-chase card is followed by a seven-hurdle and one-bumper card. Yeah, it's probably work-saving and financially prudent but, boy, does it continue a worrying trend of boredom-inducing programmes, and flies in the opposite direction to the mixed cards which would be of such benefit to many of our festivals. Long live Galway, in its current guise. Just a few days more to wait.
Irish Examiner
21-07-2025
- Irish Examiner
Jan Brueghel spearheads stellar list of King George contenders
Jan Brueghel, Lambourn, Rebel's Romance, and Calandagan are among the eight horses left in a potentially star-studded King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot on Saturday. Aidan O'Brien said at the weekend it was probable that Coronation Cup winner Jan Brueghel would be his number one hope, with Lambourn likely to be aimed at the St Leger, possibly via the Great Voltigeur at York. O'Brien's Epsom Oaks runner-up Whirl, who has been mentioned in terms of the Nassau Stakes at Goodwood, has stood her ground, while the Ballydoyle handler is also responsible for Continuous. Like last year's winner Goliath, Calandagan is trained by Francis-Henri Graffard and pushed Jan Brueghel all the way at Epsom. The Aga Khan Studs-owned gelding has since bagged an elusive Group One victory in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud. The Charlie Appleby-trained Rebel's Romance, meanwhile, showed he is as good as ever in recording a popular triumph in the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot. Andrew Balding's Group One winner Kalpana is another representative for the fillies, with Jessica Harrington's Green Impact bolstering the Irish challenge. Kalpana will be stepping up to a mile and a half for the first time this season, at the scene of her biggest success to date, the British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes back in October. Her two outings this season have been in Ireland, finishing third in the Tattersalls Gold Cup and second in the Pretty Polly Stakes, both at the Curragh. Juddmonte's European racing manager Barry Mahon said: "Kalpana is all systems go for the King George. This has been her intended target since her last run in Ireland and she is in good shape. "I think her two runs this year have been very solid. We know she is proven over a mile and a half on soft ground, so for her to produce those performances over 10 furlongs on quicker ground is very promising. "We would be hopeful of a strong showing on Saturday back over 12 furlongs, for all it looks a competitive race. Calandagan is a top-class horse and we all saw what Jan Brueghel did at Epsom. I don't know if Lambourn will line up as well, but a Derby winner always commands respect." O'Brien, meanwhile, has confirmed Henri Matisse on course for a rematch with his Royal Ascot conqueror Field Of Gold in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood. O'Brien's Wootton Bassett colt ended last season in victory at the Breeders' Cup and struck Classic gold in the French 2,000 Guineas before finding only John and Thady Gosden's Field Of Gold too good in the St James's Palace Stakes. The Ballydoyle handler said: "He's being trained for the Sussex and is going good so far. We're very happy with him and he is progressing." Also a runner-up at the Royal meeting was Illinois, in the Gold Cup behind Trawlerman, and he too is set for a trip to the Sussex Downs, where he could be joined by an emerging stablemate. O'Brien said: "At the moment he (Illinois) is going for the Goodwood Cup and it's possible that Scandinavia could go there as well. "We were very happy with his run in Ascot. We'd prefer he had another year before he went there (for the Gold Cup), but that is the way it worked out." O'Brien also outlined plans for Coventry Stakes winner Gstaad, who will be seen next in top-level action at the Curragh. He said: "The plan is to go for the Phoenix Stakes (August 9). That is the way we are thinking at the moment."
