Yet another busy Saturday of Flat horse racing action, including the Irish 2000 Guineas, means there are Curragh betting tips for punters. We also bring you Horsebetting.com experts’ selections from the big races at Haydock and York. Read on and get the lowdown.
Curragh betting tips – Mac Swiney the each-way play in Irish 2000 Guineas
An open renewal of the Irish 2000 Guineas at The Curragh (15:20) should be run on soft ground, and that suits MAC SWINEY. One of two in the race trained by Jim Bolger, this colt comes into this Classic contest a fresher horse than stable companion Poetic Flare.
Mac Swiney relished testing ground at Doncaster at the end of last season when landing the Group 1 Vertem Futurity Trophy. That has been a key trial for the Guineas in England and Ireland in recent years. As the son of New Approach faded in the Derrinstown on reappearance, he may be suited by a combination of the going and drop back in trip.
Other horses in the field have to prove they handle this softer surface. With the Aidan O’Brien contingent all looking to bounce back from disappointing displays, Mac Swiney could hit the frame. He is 10/1 with Betfred, who pay four places, to do just that.
Speak In Colours gets Greenlands vote
In the 6f Group 2 Greenlands Stakes (14:45), Glen Shiel sets the standard but gives weight all-round. SPEAK IN COLOURS landed this race last season and now meets that rival off 8lb better terms from their course and distance meeting last August.
With just half-a-length between them on that form, Glen Shiel is not such a solid favourite. He also doesn’t have the best record fresh. At the weights, the mare Sonaiyla also has claims of turning the tables from the Phoenix Sprint.
Speak In Colours is trained by Joseph O’Brien and has a good track record at this venue. He has also won on his third start in Britain or Ireland during both of the last two years. As with the Irish 2000 Guineas, this is more open than the betting suggests.
Now primed to give his best running on ground that isn’t a problem, Speak In Colours should take a step forward from his fifth over 7f behind Lancaster House. He looks a solid each-way bet at 13/2 with BetVictor for a successful defence of his crown.
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Champers Elysees looks good in Lanwades Stud Stakes
In the 1m Group 2 Lanwades Stud Stakes for fillies and mares (15:55), CHAMPERS ELYSEES sets a clear and obvious standard. Trained by Jonny Murtagh, the four-year-old made remarkable progress last season. She landed a four-timer, progressing through the grades up to Group 1 glory during Irish Champions Weekend.
Champers Elysees has handled a softer surface just fine in the past. She also faced an impossible task giving a massive penalty and weight-for-age to No Speak Alexander on reappearance in the Athasi Stakes here. Over an inadequate trip of 7f, she ran on for fourth despite conceding 17lb to the winner.
Although the re-opposing Soul Search finished in front of her there, Champers Elysees meets that one off 2lb better terms. With less than two lengths to find over a furlong further, it gives the mount of Ben Coen every chance of turning the tables.
As Champers Elysees comes out 2lb and upwards clear of the field on adjusted ratings, she should be winning this. Only giving 3lb away all-round is much more favourable too. Therefore, the 11/10 with William Hill about the chances of Champers Elysees mean she is also among our Curragh betting tips from this card.
Haydock betting tips – Liberty Beach taken for Temple
At Haydock, meanwhile, the feature 5f Group 2 Temple Stakes (16:10) can go to LIBERTY BEACH. One of two trained by John Quinn in the race, this four-year-old daughter of Cable Bay goes well first time out. She often takes a keen hold but Liberty Beach also has winning course form.
That came on her reappearance last season in the Listed 6f Cecil Frail Stakes over further on good to soft ground. From there, Liberty Beach ran third in the King’s Stand at Royal Ascot. Although re-opposing stable companion Keep Busy finished ahead of her in the Flying Five at The Curragh, that one may need the run.
Liberty Beach was also a fine third in the Prix de l’Abbaye on Arc Weekend at Longchamp on her last start in October. That form, along with the King’s Stand, is the best on offer and this is also easier. Que Amoro tops the ratings, yet that filly isn’t proven on softer surfaces.
Taking all that into account, Liberty Beach has lots going for her. She could still develop into a very useful sprinter if settling better. The 9/4 on offer with Bet365 is thus a bit of value, and the first of our Haydock betting tips on a card that will shape the betting on Royal Ascot sprints.
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Method in our Sandy Lane selection
In the other top-class race, the 6f Group 3 Sandy Lane Stakes for three-year-olds (15:35), METHOD appeals each-way. This is a very open affair too, something of a theme for this Saturday in the British Isles in the sport. Trained by Martyn Meade, Method has strong form claims of this on his return to action.
The Mehmas colt beat subsequent 1000 Guineas third Fev Rover comprehensively on debut at Doncaster. Method then followed-up in Listed company at Newbury. He then shaped as if something was amiss when last in the Group 1 Middle Park Stakes. It later emerged that the saddle slipped.
When eased in grade to the Group 3 Cornwallis Stakes back at Newmarket, Method bumped into speedy filly Winter Power. He was beaten three lengths giving a 3lb sex allowance away, and the winner has since bolted up in a Listed contest during the York Dante Festival last midweek.
There is stiff competition from unbeaten Archie Watson inmate Dragon Symbol on his first start in black type company. First-time cheekpieces go on Roger Varian runner Saint Lawrence, meanwhile. Method is an 8/1 shot with Betfair and could well hit the frame.
York betting tips – Might Blue the Bronte Cup choice
At York, the big race is the 1m 6f Group 3 Bronte Cup for fillies and mares (14:40). Irish raider MIGHTY BLUE comes over off the back of a distance win on similarly forecast going. Another inmate of the Joseph O’Brien stable, the daughter of Authorized has been mixing it over hurdles and on the Flat.
Mighty Blue placed in this grade at The Curragh over further when behind Dawn Patrol in the Loughbrown Stakes last autumn. She is a maiden over obstacles, but the five-year-old has run some cracking races in defeat. They include when runner-up to Punchestown Festival winner Gauloise at Thurles and later third in the Dawn Run at the Cheltenham Festival.
As Mighty Blue finished ahead of subsequent Grade 1 heroine Skyace that day, she clearly has ability in that sphere. She found 1m 4f too sharp on her switch back to the Flat at Cork but then bolted up at Gowran Park. Mighty Blue reversed past form with Princess Zoe and Barrington Court in her 7 1/2 lengths romp.
Given the former won the Prix du Cadran on Arc Weekend at Longchamp, that reads well in the context of this event. Mighty Blue tops ratings here and has no penalty for her Listed success. The 100/30 with William Hill looks well worth taking here.
