Irish racing today

By far the best racing today takes place at the Curragh, where there are 3 Group 3 races, and it by no means inconceivable that Dermot Weld and his stable jockey Pat Smullen can win all 3 of them. Their candidate in the Tetrarch Stakes for 2yos over 7 furlongs at 15.30 CET is Firey Red, who looked very unlucky when just touched off here last time, and now has Vocalised (Jim Bolger/ Kevin Manning), winner of the Greenham at Newbury last time, and possibly Aidan O´Brien´ s Chief Lone Eagle (Johnny Murtagh) to beat. Mad About You was just behind Firey Red then and had since easily won a similar race; she can continue the Weld stable run in the Athasi Stakes, also over 7 furlongs at 16.00, where the main opposition Maoinach (Manning) again comes from the Bolger yard. Finally Famous Name can complete the clean sweep in the 10 furlongs Woodbridge Strakes at 17.00; he had excellent form last season, including a second place in the Prix du Jockey Club and stands out in this company. The going is very heavy so no surprise if mud-lover Lady Deauville (Roger Curtis/ Wayne Lordan) comes out best of the 3 Brits, but on form the Aga Khan´s Kargali (John Oxx/ Mick Kinane) looks the main danger. There is also N.H. racing today at two Irish tracks, Down Royal and Limerick, with huge fields. Ruby Walsh can land a double in the two main events at the former track with Willie Mullins´ Persian City at 16.20 and Tony Martin´s Ross Accord half an hour later.