Today's Pointers - Curragh 19th March

Only a few days on from a great Cheltenham Festival, we move swiftly onto the first day of the Irish Flat season at the Curragh.

In the first race of the season (2.35) and the first for juveniles, It might be notable that Richard Fahey, so good with these early season contests, sends over Lost City (bred to be well forward and related to a host of previous winners) but Whipper has made a good start with his first few crops and his WHIP RULE could take all the beating for Jim Bolger and Kevin Manning.

In the next maiden (3.05) Rose Bonheur was touched off by a short-head twice in similar contests here last year over 6f and 7f but ANDGERIGO may well have won had he not dwelt at the start when second behind Ruling and if straight should go close here. The winner was not disgraced behind Derby fancy Dubai Prince next time out.

There’s not too much of an appealing shape to the sprint handicap (3.35).Top weight Luisant had a great time of it last season but he’s running from a 5lbs higher mark than when beaten on his last handicap start. If there’s an angle it may be by backing Tommy Stack early on in the season with BLUE DAHLAIA off bottom weight. He found a well backed favourite just too much on his last start and has a 10lbs claimer to help, which could make all the difference.

Termagant (maroon, second right) won both starts at two and
shaped as if retaining that ability in the Irish 1,000 Guineas

In the best race of the day by far, the Lodge Park Stud European Breeders Fund Park Express Stakes, (4.05) much will depend on how straight the horses are. This makes Lolly For Dolly a powerful contender considering the form she has (still not exposed as well) but giving 3lbs to TERMAGANT may prove beyond her. That makes her 3lbs better off for a quarter length beating and there are reason to believe that Termagant’s the better horse. She had beaten group 3 winner Cabaret before winning the Moyglare Stud Stakes from Lille Langtry and was having her seasonal debut when ninth in the Guineas. If she’s fit today she’s got every chance.

Only one makes any appeal in the Irish Lincoln (4.35) . PHOTO OPPORTUNITY didn’t get a good passage at all when fourth in a big handicap on his last start and has been very well treated in a bid to make amends here. The form of that race has been boosted by Hujalyea’s good runs in Dubai and he can take the beating.

The Gabriel Curran Memorial Madrid Handicap (5.05) is one of the hardest to solve on the card but there’s one horse who could be much better than a handicapper and that’s ADILAPOUR. As short as 40/1 for the Derby, he made a very taking debut when beating Pirate Chest (who’s not been out of the frame since) and subsequent listed winner Tiz The Shot. Under Johnny Murtagh a big run should be coming here.

Advice

1 pt win Whip Rule in 2.35 Curragh

1 pt win Anderigo in 3.05 Curragh

0.5 pt each/way Blue Dahlia in 3.35 Curragh

1.5 pts win Termagant in 4.05 Curragh

0.75 pt win Photo Opportunity in 4.35 Curragh

0.5 pt win Adailpour in 5.05 Curragh