Curragh tips: Caravaggio a cut above in Phoenix Stakes odds
Published:
David Metcalf | August 6, 2016
Coral are proud to be commercial partners of The Curragh, and Sunday has a terrific card including Group 1 action.
What are the top Curragh tips and Phoenix Stakes odds to take from this summer meeting? Read on to see what our horse racing experts like the look of…
Caravaggio to enhance Classic claims at decent Phoenix Stakes odds
Trainer Aidan O’Brien has an incredible record in the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes, so Caravaggio looks a worthy red-hot favorite to further enhance it with victory in this year’s renewal of the 6f contest (15:35).
The Ballydoyle handler has incredibly saddled 14 of the last 18 Phoenix Stakes winners. In Caravaggio, O’Brien has a colt who is unbeaten in three starts.
In the last of those, the son of Scat Daddy was ultra-impressive when landing the Group 1 Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot.
After racing in touch in the unfavoured centre of the track, Caravaggio made good headway two from home to take up the running at the furlong marker. He then quickened clear to beat Mehmas by 2 1/4 lengths.
The turn of foot shown marked the two-year-old out as an exceptional prospect, and Caravaggio is currently 3/1 favourite with Coral for the 2017 renewal of the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket.
When it comes to Phoenix Stakes odds, Caravaggio simply looks a cut-above his four rivals on all known form, so can take this with the minimum of fuss en route to much better things.
Flight Risk holds solid claims in Phoenix Sprint
Jim Bolger’s Flight Risk has posted a series of solid efforts this season, and can gain a deserved success in the Group 3 Phoenix Sprint Stakes (16:05).
The five-year-old is a really tough and consistent sort who has finished runner-up in three of his last four starts.
In the first of those, Flight Risk went down by just a head to Mobsta in a Group 2 over course and distance.
He was also far from disgraced last time out when beaten just 1/2 a length by the unexposed and highly-regarded Rose De Pierre in a Listed contest at Cork.
With likely favourite Air Force Blue having plenty to prove, after three lacklustre efforts this season, Flight Risk looks decent value among Curragh tips to land the spoils.
Chestnut Fire weighted to strike
Chestnut Fire has caught the eye on more than one occasion this season, and can take advantage of a drop in the weights to land the 7f handicap (16:35).
This four-year-old son of Showcasing ran very well over course and distance on his penultimate outing when a keeping on 2 1/2 length fourth to Have a Nice Day.
Chestnut Fire backed that up with a solid sixth of 16 to Beau Satchel at the Galway Festival.
Losing vital ground in the latter when veering left as the stalls opened, Chestnut Fire did well in the circumstances to be beaten just four lengths.
The handicapper has since been kind in dropping him another 1lb to 78 and, having started the campaign of 83, that makes Chestnut Fire look weighted to get back to winnings ways.
Curragh tips
14.05: Blitz
14.35: Dancing Waves
15.05: Dubai Sand
15.35: Caravaggio
16.05: Flight Risk (NB)
16.35: Chestnut Fire (NAP)
17.05: Castle Guest
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