2 Group Races at the Curragh

The Curragh kicks off its Irish Oaks meeting this afternoon with a good card, featuring two group races. The Minstrel Stakes over 7 furlongs at 17.00 CET has surprisingly no 3yo´s in the field and the 4yo´s Mad About You (Dermot Weld/ Pat Smullen) and Three Roses (Jim Bolger/ Kevin Manning) should fight out the finish. Some heavy rain is expected, and if it materialises Jumbajukiba (Jessica Harrington/ Fran Berry) despite top weight would certainly come into the reckoning. Weld and Smullen also have good chances in the International Stakes over 9 furlongs at 17.30 with Famous Name. British challenger Staying On (Walter Swinburn/ Adam Kirby) could go close, while Aidan O´Brien saddles 2 runners, Red Rock Canyon (Colm O´Donoghue) and Rockhampton (Seamus Heffernan), both of whom are usually used as pacemakers for the stable stars.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Devoted To You - Brushed Aside - Della`Alba
2. Race: Golan Girl - Azana - Roll Over Rover
3. Race: Bipasha - Mt Weather - Qeyaada
4. Race: Mad About You - Jumbajukiba - Dohasa
5. Race: Famous Name - Staying On - Chintz
6. Race: Good Time Sue - Ballivor - Optimal Power
7. Race: Boxing Day - Reggae Dancer - Rigid Rock