Curragh tips for Irish Champions Weekend: O’Brien to show the Churchill spirit

Rhododendron can bloom in Moyglare Stud Stakes

Aidan O’Brien entries dominate the 7f Moyglare Stud Stakes (15:40), and of his quartet Rhododendron could be the best of the bunch.

Stablemate Promise To Be True is the overnight favourite, but connections are fast-tracking her into Group 1 company here after just two starts.

While that suggests O’Brien expects big things from Promise To Be True, fellow filly Rhododendron has a course and distance win under her belt in the Group 2 Debutante Stakes.

That is a persuasive point based on fact rather than potential. Hydrangea and Brave Anna are other O’Brien hopes here.

O’Brien to assert he’s Best In The World

The Blandford Stakes over 1m 2f (14:35) is one of a pair of Group 2 contests on The Curragh card, and Best In The World should again hold off the challenge of Shamreen to give O’Brien a clean sweep of the main races.

A Group 3 winner at Cork last time out, Best In The World also has a course victory to her credit.

Shamreen is owned by the Aga Khan, but Dermot Weld’s filly was only a five-length fourth behind the selection last time out.

With that contest also taking place on the yielding ground both get underfoot here, there’s nothing to suggest Shamreen can stop Best In The World from winning once more.

Hedge your bets over the flying 5f

A wide-open renewal of the Group 2 Derrinstown Stud Flying Five Stakes (15:10) has three fascinating contenders to consider.

Overnight favourite Cotai Glory looks one to avoid as Charlie Hills’ four-year-old has failed to score in six starts since winning the Scarborough Stakes at last year’s St Leger meeting at Doncaster.

Instead it’s Toscanini, Take Cover and/or Spirit Quartz on which punters should hedge their bets.

Michael Halford’s Godolphin-owned four-year-old gelding Toscanini has two Curragh victories over 6f this season, including the Group 3 Phoenix Sprint Stakes last time out.

Relative veteran Take Cover scooped the Group 2 King George Stakes at Glorious Goodwood, beating Washington Dc by a neck to show age is no barrier to success.

The nine-year-old followed up with a four-length third of 19 in the Group 1 Nunthorpe Stakes, and there’s no shame in finishing behind Mecca’s Angel and Limato.

Spirit Quartz is also a contender for Robert Cowell, because he’s won both starts in Ireland this season over the 5f trip.

Curragh tips for September 11

14:00 Intisaab
14:35 Best In The World
15:10 Toscanini (E/W)
15:40 Rhododendron
16:15 Churchill (NB)
16:50 Order Of St George (NAP), Wicklow Brave (E/W)
17:25 Parnassian (E/W)
17:55 Dark Red (E/W)

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