16.35 Curragh - Phoenix Sprint Stakes (Group 3): Maarek is the big favourite here and it is easy to see why. He has the right form in the book and will love any drop of rain in the ground. He remains as good as ever, won the Group 2 Duke of York earlier this year and finished a fine runner-up behind Slade Power over CD here at the Curragh back in May. Saying that, he is not unbeatable and he was less than two lengths in front of An Saighdiur that day, who in contrast to Maarek, made all that day and might used a bit too much energy early on. A 4lb swing in the weights gives him a chance to get a bit closer again today as he loves the mud, so any bit of rain is appreciated, and back over 6f is a plus, as 5f lto seemed bit too short, and he was badly hampered in the closing stages, to beaten in last that day has to be seen in the right context. Not many more with realistic chances here with trip or ground not to suit all of the other five runners in the field.
An Saighdiur @ 8/1 VC - 2pts win
17.05 Curragh - 1m Handicap: Competitive looking race, with a strong favourite. Shalamzar was a shade unlucky at Galway recently, when he didn't quite get a clear passage in the closing stages but still manged to finish a strong 3rd. If he can follow up with a similar strong performance today, he's in with a very obvious chance. Gone Viral as the only 3yo has to be taken serious. He looked improved at Gowran Park when he landed a 7f Handicap, follow up with a good performance in his next start, now against older horses, he needs to improve but the weight allowance can help. Beau Satchel is on a four-timer. His progress might not be over yet, but a new career highest mark has to be defied. I do really like the chance of Jayed Jidan at around 11/1. Still lightly raced, he was a good winner of a big Curragh Handicap last year. His seasonal reapperance in a sprint Handicap wasn't to suit, but he was better in a very competitive Handicap over CD here in June. If he can improve from that performance a bit, he'll be in with a big chance today I feel.
Jayed Jidan @ 11/1 - 1pt win VC
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