group race at the Curragh

the only flat racing today comes from Ireland, where the Gladness Stakes over 7 furlongs at the Curragh at 16.55 CET is the top event. This looks very open, with last year´s winner Custom Cut (David O´Meara/ Danny Tudhope) and Sruthen (Paul Deegan/ Chris Hayes), winner of a similar event last time at Tipperary in October, both penalised. Of these we prefer the latter, as the stable is in good form, while Cristoforo Colombo (Aidan and Joseph O´Brien) has not really lived up to early promise, so that the tough and consistent Bold Thady Quill (Keith Condon/ Shane Foley) could run into a place at a decent price. Another 2013 winner hoping for a repeat is Parish Hall (Jim Bolger/ Robbie Whelan) in the listed Alleged Stakes half an hour later. He missed all of 2012 through injury, but he won the Dewhurst back in 2011 and in anything like his best form should not be troubled to win this. Another interesting race here is the 3yo maiden over 10 furlongs at 18.35. Aidan O= Brien won this last year with Ruler of the World, who went on to win the Derby. He now tries again with Adjusted with the main opposition probably coming from the two Aga Khan runners.
There is also N.H. racing at Stratford, Wetherby and Wincanton in England and Tramore in Ireland, mainly at a very low level. Mick Channon is mainly a flat trainer, but does well with his jumpers - aided of course by Hen - and he can land an across the card double with Ballypatrick (Brian Harding), who has top weight in the staying handicap chase at 17.20 at Wetherby, and Paradise Valley (Dominic Elsworth) in the second division of the maiden hurdle at 15.50 at Wincanton. The first division can go to Nordic Quest (Nicky Henderson/ Andrew Tinkler), who has showed promise over sticks and who comes from a top German family, his dam being the winner of two group races in this country.


Betting forecast:
1. Race: Brightly Shining - Akeed Misk - Convergence
2. Race: Beyond Brilliance - Booker - Zaindera
3. Race: Truthwillsetufree - Thomas Edison - Waver
4. Race: Wannabe Better - Cristoforo Colombo - Sruthan
5. Race: Alive Alive Oh - Parish Hall - Stuccodor
6. Race: Tylery Wonder - Balmont Blast - Srucahan
7. Race: Adjusted - Marakoush - Sinkal