two group races at the Curragh

today is a Bank Holiday in the U.K. and Ireland, so there is lots of racing this afternoon- none this evening - and mainly at a low level, with some small fields as well. There is flat racing at Bath. Beverley, Warwick, Windsor and the Curragh in Ireland, while they go over jumps at Ffos Las, Kempton and Down Royal (N. Ireland)
Easily tne best card is at the Curragh, where there are two group races on the menu. The Mooresbridge Stakes for older horses over 10 furlongs at 17.15 CET is often used by Aidan O´Brien as the seasonal start for his best older horses and he has won it for the past 4 years. He can make it 5 today as Magician, partnered by his son Joseph, looks almost unbeatable; the winner of the Breeders Cup Turf stands out by a mile here and should have no problems with his 4 opponents, including a stable companion (as pacemaker?) and two trained by Jim Bolger. The O´Brien´s also have good prospects in the Athasi Stakes for fillies and mares over 7 furlongs at 18.25. Their runner Peace Burg had smart form in France when trained by JC Rouget and now makes his Irish debut. Dermot Weld´s two lightly-weighted 3yo´s Flying Jib (Kevin Manning) and Tahaany (Chris Hayes) look the main dangers. The O´Brien´s look set for a successful afternoon as their speedy 2yo The Great War, regarded as a Royal Ascot prospect, should take the opening juvenile race at 15.00, while the stable has 4 runners in the listed race for 3yo´s at 15.00, with Joseph´s mount Michaelmas probably the best of them.
Our best bet in the U.K. is Nordic Quest (Nicky Henderson/ Andrew Tinkler) in the novice hurdle at 14.45 at Kempton. This son of top German mare Nordtänzerin won in good style last time and can follow up; there are 14 opponents, but probably the only serious danger is Huff and Puff (Venetia Williams/ Aidan Coleman), who has won 4 times on the flat and shown promise over sticks. Williams and Coleman have another good chance with Pepite Rose, who has top weight in the 2 mile handicap chase at 17.35. Another German-bred who could run well here is Hartside (P & R Winks) who has top weight in the amateur riders hurdle at 18.10.

Betting forecast:
1. Race: Bwana - Fresh Focus - Intense Style
2. Race: Jembatt - Catwilldo - Majestic Timeline
3. Race: Great White Eagle - Michaelmas - Shining Emerald
4. Race: Dynamite Dixie - Woodsophiesmile - Alvar
5. Race: Parish Hall - Paene Magnus - Hall Of Mirrors
6. Race: Urban Moon - Henry Higgins - Waver
7. Race: Flying Jib - Peace Burg - Chicago Girl
8. Race: Monsieur Power - Household Cavalry - Seas Of Wells