Irish Derby Festival: Sunday tips for the Curragh
David Metcalf | June 25, 2016
Wonder ready to cut a dash in Rockingham
Tylery Wonder has a good record at the Curragh and looks decent value to land the 5f Rockingham Handicap on the final day of the Irish Derby Festival (16:55).
The Willie McCreery trained gelding is a three-time winner at the track and has also been placed on five occasions from 13 starts at it.
In the last of those successes nine months ago, Tylery Wonder showed his customary early dash before keeping on strongly to score by 1/2 a length off a mark of 84.
This six-year-old is now able to race off 1lb lower and that gives Tylery Wonder major claims from a handicapping perspective.
Coming to the boil
Although Tylery Wonder has failed to trouble the judge in two starts this season, the son of Choisir has shaped better than the bare result suggests on both occasions and only faded late on last time out when fifth in a 6f contest at Navan.
That run made a case for Tylery Wonder coming to the boil, and the drop back down to the minimum trip looks sure to suit.
The return to this venue is another plus and, with Leigh Roche in the saddle, everything looks in place for a big run.
Chemical to take Charge in International Stakes
Chemical Charge ran a blinder when runner-up last time out, but can go one better to land the Group 3 International Stakes (14:45).
This colt won both his starts when trained by Ralph Beckett, but then suffered an injury and was on the sidlines for 567 days before chasing home Portage over course and distance earlier in the month on his first start for Ger Lyons.
Chemical Charge looked badly in need of the outing and there was lots to like about the way he stuck to the task to be beaten just a length.
The four-year-old finished 2 1/4 length in front of the third home Sir Isaac Newton, and there is no reason why Chemical Charge should not confirm the form with that rival, given that he is entitled to come on significantly for the run.
Fire looks Magical in Grangecon Stud Stakes
Magical Fire has a progressive profile and can take the step up into Group 3 company in her stride to land the Grangecon Stud Stakes (15:45).
The filly shaped with plenty of promise on debut when sixth to Cuff, and also caught the eye next time up behind the same rival at Naas when dwelling at the start before keeping on nicely under tender handling to finish fifth.
Magical Fire then opened her account in good style at Fairyhouse earlier in the month, travelling strongly before only having to be pushed out by jockey Kieren Fallon to register a cosy one length success.
Judged on the manner of that victory, the daughter of Dragon Pulse is going the right way and well worth a crack at this level.
Curragh selections
14.15: Moritzburg
14.45: Chemical Charge
15.15: An Saighdiur
15.45: Magical Fire (NB)
16.20: Minding
16.55: Tylery Wonder (NAP)
17.25: Landofhopeandglory
17.55: Aared
Related
You’ll find more Irish Derby Festival tips on our Curragh page.
