Curragh

The group two Beresford’s takes centre stage on today’s seven race Curragh programme. Past winners of this prestigious juvenile test include Alamshar (2001), Azamour (2002) and, in more recent years, Sea The Stars and St Nicholas Abbey. There’s little doubt then that the winner here will top the free handicap in Ireland over the winter months.

John Oxx has made no secret of his admiration for the Dubawi colt Akeed Mofeed, and those who witnessed his latest success at Leopardstown will not want to oppose him here. Ballydoyle run three, with the market the best guide to their respective chances; perhaps David Livingstone will prove to be the pick of the trio.

Racing opens with the twenty five runner maiden over six furlongs. Plenty of unknown quantities in this race and market reference will be essential, particularly in relation to the chances of Nephrite, the Robert Ogden owned Mississipi and Bird’s Eye View running in the McManus colours.

The six furlong premier handicap is next up and with twenty six runners up the straight six furlongs the best advice is to side with those drawn high. Blue Dahlia is looking for her third course and distance success appeals as an each way option here.

Madhmoonah beat a subsequent winner (Wading) here at The Curragh a few weeks back and the group three C.L Weld stakes (3.10) looks well within her scope. The locally-trained Coral Wave has course-winning form to her credit and can be expected to give a good account. Hujaleya is a consistent sort and may have Rock N’ Roll kid to fear in the seven furlong conditions race (3.45) while in the wide open apprentice handicap Sun Disc and the unexposed Raydari are put up against the field.