A most enjoyable day at Leopardstown. Blue skies, another fine performance from the metronomic Magical, and Mogul overcoming a tough trip to mark himself as a potential top notcher. The Curragh's marathon card may not be as lucky with the weather. There are at least nine winners to be found mind.
1.20pm Irish Stallion Farms Bold Lad Handicap: Venturous should go close if repeating his latest effort at Goodwood. A three pound rise looks lenient. The horse can have issues with the starting gates. Those problems may have caused a below par effort on his last visit to the Curragh. In the hope he gets away on terms, a good run looks assured. Blairmayne loves the Curragh. He seems to run well whatever the grade. Selection: Venturous 10/1
1.55pm Moyglare Blandford Stakes: Tarnawa is having a good season. Bar a blip in the Oaks she has progressed steadily. Her recent Cork romp has been boosted since. She should go very close with a repeat. Goddess has belatedly started to realise her potential of late. She's feared most. Selection: Tarnawa 9/4
2.25pm Derrinstown Stud Flying Five Stakes: Soldier's Call was a beaten favourite over course and distance on his penultimate start. He did lose a shoe that day. Given that his efforts either side of that run were getting relatively close to two great sprinters, that run is probably best forgiven. He can capitalise in calmer waters here. Mabs Cross was a touch disappointing at York. She can improve here, and is respected. Selection: Soldier's Call 5/1
3pm Moyglare Stud Stakes: Daahyeh ran into a high-class opponent on her last start. She shaped that day as if this step up in trip will aid her cause. This doesn't look a particularly strong Group 1. Albigna should relish the extra furlong too. The form of her two wins is open to question though. Selection: Daahyeh 3/1
3.35pm Goffs National Stakes: This looks like being the race of the weekend. Pinatubo and Armory are probably the best juveniles in England and Ireland respectively. Pinatubo is a short-priced favourite. Justifiably so. He's won his last two runs in devastating style. Armory hasn't been as visually impressive but my hunch is there's plenty under the bonnet. With eight runners Armory rates the obvious e/w play. He can win, and it's nearly inconceivable he finishes out of the frame. Selection: Armory 7/2
4.10pm Comer Group Irish St Leger: Kew Gardens 14-week absence is a nagging worry. The likelihood is he will be fit. We're deep in the season, and this is a prestigious race. He looked all over the winner of the Coronation Cup last time. It's possible his mind wandered having taken the lead. His jockey will be mindful to leave the challenge later tomorrow. If he does Kew Gardens should have too much for the opposition. Southern France should run his usual honest race and can hit the board. Selection: Kew Gardens 10/3
4.50pm Pat Smullen Champions Race: A watching brief is probably best. Kattani has scope from his mark and rates the nominal selection. Selection: Kattani 9/2
5.25 pm Tattersalls Sales Stakes: Last Opportunity looked potentially smart once the penny dropped on debut in Leopardstown. That form of that race isn't working out but I'll back the visual impression. Hamish Macbeth seems to be well regarded, and is feared most. Selection: Last Opportunity 7/4
6pm Irish Stallion Farms Northfields Handicap: Great Grey shaped like he needed this trip when fifth here two runs ago. He confirmed that impression when running second over 10 furlongs in Leopardstown. The form of that race is working out well. He should go close with a repeat, and remains relatively unexposed. Group race company proved too much for Nickajack Cave last time up. He should go well back in these calmer waters. Selection: Great Grey 20/1
