Irish Derby and Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud

Relatively small fields in the two big races today - 8 runners in the Irish Derby on the Curragh at 16.50 CET and only 5 in the Grand Prix de de Saint-Cloud at 15.45. Both are Group One races over 1 1/2 miles, with the obvious difference that the Irish race is for 3yo´s only and the French race for older horses. The latter event looks at the mercy of the Aga Khan´s filly Sarafina (Alain de Royer-Dupre´/ Chritoph Lemaire), third after a very unlucky run in the 2010 "Arc" and one of the favourites for this year. The Irish Derby is more trick,y and the field includes the second, third, fourth and fifth from Epsom. Clear favourite the Queen´s Carlton House (Sir Michael Stoute/ Ryan Moore) third at Epsom after being hampered and forced to race wide. Following the Queen´s highly successful visit to Ireland in May, he would be a very popular winner and is certain to start favourite again. H is not goodvalue t the likly pric, but we expect him to win and reverse Epsom form with runne r-up Treasure Beach, one of 4 Aidan 0 `Brien runners from the stable that has won this race for the past 5 seasons. Colm O´Donoghue partners this one, while Seamus Heffernan rides Seville, Wayne Lordan Roderic O´Connor and the trainer´ s son Joseph the likely pacemaker Memphis Tennessee. The going will be soft after a lot of rain in the past few days, which further complicates matters.

Betting forecast for Curragh:
1. Race: After - Taigan - Lady Wingshot
2. Race: Tough As Nails - Lilbourne Lad - Choir
3. Race: Anderiego - The Confessor - Tajneed
4. Race: Inxile - Hamish Mcgonagall - Invincible Ash
5. Race: Carlton House - Treasure Beach - Seville
6. Race: Redera - Celendine - Flowers Of Spring
7. Race: Creekside - Penitent - Luisant
8. Race: Great Huzzar - Back Burner - Keep It Cool


Betting forecast for Saint Cloud:
1. Race: Skallet - Riquita - Fille De Famille
2. Race: Genzy - Septime Severe - Aloeil
3. Race: Testosterone - Adventure Seeker - Chegei Has
4. Race: Le Bosphore - Angolaner - Khadar
5. Race: Cirrus des Aigles - Sarafina - Cirrus des Aigles
6. Race: Hilal Al Zaman - Nayef Al Khalidiah - Scoubidou de Carrere
7. Race: Eyes On Me - Rysckly - Lutece Eria
8. Race: Nireas - Secret Land - Un Air De Danse
9. Race: Pentathlon - Beau Marchand - By Dariole