Sunday 30th June
By SP2A Analysis
CURRAGH 2.50 Handicap - 5 furlongs - 17 run - Yielding to Soft
The dynamic of this race has changed in my opinion with the rain and unless the usual logic goes completely out of the window a middle to high draw will be a significant advantage.
At the top of the market are the 3 year olds Sturlasson and Kendall Roy. Both arrive in excellent form but I think the draw does Kendall Roy no favours at all and I think in a race of this type any 3 year old unless it is prodigious is vulnerable. I think Sturlasson is good but on this ground is opposable.
The British arrive with a few good chances with Korker and Lethal Nymph but neither has had much luck with the draw, Korker is weight laden and Lethal Nymph doesn't really entice me either. I think the draw also spoils the chance of the in-form Harry Hill following up its win in this race last year.
There are a few who could run massive races at decent prices like So Majestic (drawn 17) who drops in Class and who might be worth a small look at 33/1 amd Shandy, who is another 3 year old with form in heavy ground. This is the one horse I want to TRACK forwards in the race. Thunderbear is solid and consistent and would have enhanced place chances and was my 4th rated and if you wanted a 3rd preference overall it would be LITTLE QUEENIE who can slip a field but who can get the fractions wrong but when getting it right is a massive danger. With 17 runners, enhanced places, this would be my definitely biggest danger to the 2 main selections.
I think this is tailor made for the veteran and Course specialist BIG GOSSEY, it's a bit like the Red Sea parting for this one, rain at just the right time after a grough, the vital high stall draw, a handicap mark below 100 and the Course and Distance form. If he's not in the top 4 here with luck in running I will be bitterly disappointed. GREEK FLOWER is my clear second rated and from Stall 9 could get a lovely tow off the already mentioned LITTLE QUEENIE. GREEK FLOWER prefers some cut in the ground, should be peaking as a 5 year old and has had a nice prep run for this. (Sean)