Irish Derby Festival: Saturday tips for The Curragh

Trained by the shrewd Charles O’Brien, the gelding caught the eye on seasonal reappearance when staying on from an impossible position to finish a never nearer 10th over an inadequate 1m 4f at Leopardstown.

Botany Bay went on to post a solid effort to finish third of 11 to Jennies Jewel over course and distance, and the winner has since gone on to follow-up at Royal Ascot to give the form a boost.

Well weighted on pick of form

The four-year-old then ran as well as could be expected when fourth of five to top stayer Order Of St George in a Listed contest at Naas when last seen in action, and will appreciate the drop back into handicap company.

Botany Bay is also now able to race off a rating of 86, and that is 1lb lower than when he finished a fine 3/4 length fourth of 16 to Polarisation in the ultra-competitive Melrose Stakes at York’s Ebor Meeting last season.

It gives the son of Galileo major claims at the weights, and the the fact that connections have secured the services of Ryan Moore to do the steering for the third time this season suggests they mean business.

Selections

15.00: Intelligence Cross
15.35: Hasanour
16.05: Foxtrot Charlie
16.40: King Electric (NAP)
17.20: Harzand
18.00: Botany Bay (NB)
18.30: Maarek
19.00: Hazmiyra

Related

You’ll find more horse racing betting tips from the Irish Derby Festival on our Curragh page.