THE second day of the Irish Champions Weekend takes place at the Curragh where there is high class Group 1 action, including in the Flying Five Stakes, in which Asfoora is looking to follow up on her Ebor success, though the softer conditions will not be in her favour this time after producing the highlight of the Ebor in my opinion.
It is the final day of the St Leger Festival at Doncaster as well as the top-class action at the Curragh.
Enjoy whether at the Curragh or Doncaster or watching #athome on ITV Racing and Racing TV.
Cheers!
The Wine Tipster
3.15 Curragh – Flying Five Stakes Group 1 (5f)
Bucanero Fuerte is very classy, and he returned to action with a win over five furlongs at Naas in May and then won at the Curragh in the race that Art Power ran in over six furlongs. He has a great attitude, and with the ground looking very likely to be too soft for the wonderful mare Asfoora, this gives Bucanero Fuerte every chance.
Art Power is an eight-year-old who loves the Curragh, with four of his eight career wins at the course, and in his favour will be the softer conditions too.
He has had one start in 2025 over six furlongs, and that was at the Curragh last month when fourth to Bucanero Fuerte, who reopposes here. Art Power raced prominently and as enthusiastically as ever when losing two places in the last furlong.
He will be sharper for that outing, and in such an open division, Art Power has strong each way claims.
4.25 Curragh – Comer Group International Irish St Leger Group 1 (1m 6f)
Al Riffa (nap) was my selection for the Arc last year when finishing unplaced and holds an entry this year. Al Riffa looked in really good shape when running over this distance here at the Curragh in July when beating Shackleton by five lengths.
He had previously finished second to Rebel’s Romance at Royal Ascot over one mile four furlongs, which showed his class. Al Riffa will benefit from the mostly dry forecast and expect him to be ridden prominently.
5.35 Curragh – Irish Stallion Farms EBF Northfields Handicap (1m 2f)
Tony Montana makes the trip over to the Curragh, and he has previously been tipped up in my Unibet blog. After two good seconds at the start of the season, Tony Montana has raced at Royal Ascot, Glorious Goodwood and most recently at the Ebor Festival. He started slowly at York and then challenged from off the pace when looking like he was going to play a significant part in the race before fading late on.
That performance certainly indicated that this five-year-old still has the ability, and in comparison to the recent handicaps he has run in this looks less competitive, which gives him each way claims with five placers being paid.
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