S.P.Read Esq: The Irish Oaks
Our daily columnist and pundit S.P. Read Esq. looks ahead to THE IRISH OAKS and finds the best opportunities available on Star Spreads, the home of sports spread betting.
With the golf on hold due to the weather I’m taking in an extra bet on the racing today in the big race in Ireland – the Darley Irish Oaks at the Curragh – due off at 5.50.
A quick word on the golf – play is not scheduled to start before 3pm due to high winds at St Andrews and the organisers have a nightmare on their hands as round two is still a long way off being completed. The last group out last night have only completed eight holes so we are in for the long haul.
Of my three recommended players, I’ve got most hope with Jason Day who is currently three shots off the lead tied by Dustin Johnson and Danny Willett. Day, however, still has five holes to play – whether that proves help or hindrance is literally in the laps of the gods and how tough conditions will be when play finally resumes.
The rapidly changing weather has also had an impact on today’s Irish Oaks. It was good to firm when Qualify was entered for the race on Thursday but that changed to good to yielding on Friday after overnight rain. Aidan O’Brien has taken out the 50/1 Epsom Oaks winner this morning but the course are reporting that the ground is now good with little rain forecast !!
O’Brien still has one third of the remaining nine strong field and the one I like the most is his Words who is unbeaten in two starts.
She won her maiden here at the Curragh and then successfully stepped up to Group 3 company to win the Munster Oaks Stakes over this 1m 4f trip at Cork last time out. She beat Carla Bianca that day who gave the form a boost with a Group 3 win at Leopardstown this week.
Moonstone, dam of Words won this in 2008 for the O’Brien stable who also won the race last year with Bracelet. Although this is much tougher for Words, she has the scope to improve. She has always been held in the highest regard by the stable.
Curvy is a real rag to riches story but she looks too short at around 2/1. David Wachman’s filly has won all four of her starts this season which started with a handicap win off a mark of 72 (she is now 112) !! She has been upped in grade each time and won the Group 2 Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot last time out and can go close here – which she will need to as connections have stumped up the supplementary fee of €40,000.
Jack Naylor went to Epsom with a good chance on paper in the Oaks but seemed to find the trip too far. This is an easier 1m 4f but may still be at the extreme of her optimum trip.
I’m a Star Spreads buyer on distances on the eight race card where only three of the races are handicaps.
At 12.8 I’m looking at an average of 1.6 lengths or better for a profit.
CLICK FOR CURRAGH MARKETS ON STAR SPREADS
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BUY DISTANCES AT THE CURRAGH at 12.8 for 25 points with Star Spreads
- Any spread prices quoted are indicative and as always prices are subject to fluctuation.
- Please note the opinion, views and forecasts above are of the author and not of Star Spreads.
