Irish Derby tips: Curragh – Eamonn Hames’ top betting preview for TODAY
CURRAGH
5.15
SAXON WARRIOR can slay his rivals with ease in this afternoon's Irish Derby live on RTE1 and At The Races.
The Triple Crown may no longer be on the table, but Aidan O'Brien's superstar can prove he is the real deal by bouncing back from his shock Derby defeat.
Everything seemed against the Deep Impact colt at Epsom; he was badly drawn, failed to handle the undulating track and ran green down the camber.
However, he still finished a game fourth and should be even better for the experience.
It tends to happen a lot in the Epsom Derby that the most talented horse does not always get the breaks — that’s why they call the Epsom Derby the world’s greatest race — it is the ultimate test of the thoroughbred.
Recent market vibes suggest that he is back in the same as form as he was when bolting up in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket and O'Brien has been very bullish in the build-up to today's €1.5 million Classic showstopper at the Curragh.
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He expects plenty of improvement and with at least one of his stablemates likely to ensure there's a good gallop, he should have no problems getting his season back on track.
The great Vincent O'Brien always said that speed kills and Saxon Warrior has pace that none of his rivals can match. Get ready to watch Saxon prove he is the ultimate Warrior!
Mark Johnston's Dee Ex Bee is the big threat on form, but a place may be the best he can hope for once again.
There is no doubt that he ran a career best to finish two places ahead of the selection in the Derby but with two prior runs at the track to his name, the Epsom factor may well have counted for plenty.
Better value lies in the Harry Dunlop-trained Knight To Behold.
He was another that didn't take to the undulations of Epsom, but must be respected on what he did before.
He easily accounted for subsequent Queen's Vase winner Kew Gardens in the Lingfield Derby Trial and it will be fascinating to see how he goes here with the red-hot Frankie Dettori aboard.
Royal Ascot winner Old Persian was supplemented earlier in the week, but this is a big step up in class and the form of his King Edward win may not amount to much.
2.15
Earlier on the card the speedsters get the chance to shine in the Rockingham and DALI can continue his recent good run of form.
Aidan O'Brien's colt is starting to find his feet as a three-year-old sprinter and he gets in here off a lovely racing weight with top-weight Caspian Prince running.
Classy filly Blue Uluru holds a narrow verdict over him and UK raider Move In Time will love these conditions, but stablemate Battle Of Jericho could be the threat on his handicap debut.
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2.50
Ballydoyle should have plenty of winners on today's card and their INTELLIGENCE CROSS should be hard to beat in the Listed sprint now dropped significantly in class.
3.25
Their US import St Patrick's Day will grab all the attention in the Listed Celebration Stakes, but he has had a stop-start campaign and will need to be everything they say he is to beat an on-song ALEXIOS KOMNENOS.
Fozzy Stack's ace has to give a lot of weight away to O'Brien's three-year-old, but he sets a clear standard on form.
Eamonn Hames' top tips for the Curragh
2.15 Curragh - Dali: 'Gets in off a lovely weight'
2.50 Curragh - Intelligence Cross: 'Down in class and hard to beat'
3.25 Curragh - Alexios Komnenos: 'Sets a clear standard on form'
4.00 Curragh - Dianthus: 'A repeat of last run could be enough'
4.35 Curragh - Land Force: 'Norfolk Stakes third is the best form'
5.15 Curragh - Saxon Warrior: 'Classic-winning colt can prove his class'
4.00
The O'Brien name is synonymous with plenty of winners on Irish Derby day and Richard could be adding his name to the list if his DIANTHUS repeats the form of her game second here last month.
She has stamina assured and looks to have plenty of room for improvement.
Ballydoyle's Most Gifted ran with credit here in the 1,000 Guineas and it should be quite a battle between the pair.
4.35
The Aidan O'Brien stranglehold on the Railway Stakes has weakened in recent years, but he should be victorious here with his Norfolk Stakes third LAND FORCE boasting by far the best form on offer.
Stablemate Van Beethoven is closely matched with him on their Marble Hill running, but Land Force looks to have improved under more patient tactics.
CURRAGH
1.40 Mount Tabora
2.15 Dali
2.50 Intelligence Cross
3.25 Alexios Komnenos
4.00 Dianthus
4.35 Land Force
5.15 Saxon Warrior
5.55 The Graduate