Curragh tips for Saturday: Mecca’s Angel a Sapphire Stakes gem
Published:
David Metcalf | July 15, 2016
Angel can sprint to success in Sapphire Stakes
Mecca’s Angel is one of the best sprinters in training and can take advantage of a drop in class to get back to winning ways in the Group 2 Sapphire Stakes on Irish Oaks day at the Curragh (16:05).
The Michael Dods trained mare has a tremendous strike rate, having won seven of her 15 starts and has also finished placed on four occasions.
She was beaten just a neck in the race 12 months ago before posting a career best performance when landing the Group 1 Nunthorpe Stakes at York on good-to-soft ground in sensational style.
After showing bags of early pace in a race run at a searching gallop, the five-year-old was ridden to chase the trail-blazing clear leader Acapulco a furlong from home before showing a smart turn of foot to mow down that rival and win going away by two lengths.
Awesome display of speed and power
It was an awesome display of speed and power, and Mecca’s Angel has nothing to fear from the re-opposing Sole Power, who finished 4 1/2 lengths behind her in fourth.
Although turned over in the Group 2 Temple Stakes on return to action at Haydock when sent off a short-priced favourite, the daughter of Dark Angel went down fighting to be beaten just a neck by Profitable and looked as good as ever.
Mecca’s Angel was then found wanting again after flopping in the Group 1 King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot, but this is easier and represents a nice opening for her to get her career back on track.
Radio Silence has a huge shout in Anglesey Stakes
Radio Silence created a huge impression when scoring on debut and can take the step up into Group 3 company in his stride to land the 6f Anglesey Stakes (16:40).
The Jim Bolger trained colt was backed off the boards before landing a 7f contest at Leopardstown with far more in hand than the two-length winning margin suggests.
After running very green in the early stages at the rear of the four-runner field, the son of War Front gradually realised what was required and picked up in good style three from home to take up the running 150 yards out and forge clear.
It was a most taking performance and one which suggested the two-year-old had a huge engine needing keeping firmly onside.
This requires more, but Radio Silence looks a top-notch prospect and can land the spoils en route to even better things.
Selections
14.55: Taj Mahal
15.30: Have A Nice Day
16.05: Mecca’s Angel (NAP)
16.40: Radio Silence (NB)
17.10: Master Speaker
17.45: Architecture
18.20: Modem
18.50: London
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