Irish Derby Festival: Friday tips for the Curragh

The six-year-old made all and only had to be shaken-up to beat I Will Excel by 1/2 lengths in a competitive 19-runner affair, scoring with more in hand than the winning margin suggests.

Although Your Pal Tal has been hit with a 9lb rise in the weights for that victory, the son of Dark Angel’s revised rating of 75 still looks workable as he has won off 83 in the past and ran well off the same mark when runner-up over course and distance 12 months ago.

The Major General ready to rule

The Major General ran a blinder at Royal Ascot and can defy top weight to get back to winnings ways in the 1m 2f handicap (20.00).

Trained by Aidan O’Brien, the colt stayed on strongly to be nearest at the finish when fourth of 16 in the ultra-competitive King George V Stakes.

That form reads well in the context of this contest, and prior to that effort The Major General had won his maiden over course and distance before landing a Listed contest at Leopardstown.

Selections

17.30: Rhododendron
18.00: Reckless Gold
18.30: Your Pal Tal
19.00: Fiuntach
19.30: Time To Inspire (NAP)
20.00: The Major General (NB)
20.30: Mutadaffeq

Related

For more horse racing content, check out our dedicated archive.