Punters are in for a treat at the Curragh on Saturday with some quality action and that of course brings with it the race of the day at the County Kildare track, the Alleged Stakes.
The famous Group 3 contest is routinely a great stepping stone for some of the best horses on the Flat and this year carries a purse that totals €55,000 as the field of nine go in search of Alleged Stakes glory at Ireland’s Flat HQ. .
Adrian Wall provides his analysis on the big race as well as some other selections for the Curragh's afternoon meeting, where they race from 1.45-5.35, with the Alleged Stakes itself due off at 2.55.
2.55 – Alleged Stakes (Group 3, 1m2f)
Upgraded from Listed status to Group 3 in 2017, the Alleged Stakes has attracted some big stars in the past and it is always a very informative race at the start of the Flat season. The amazing Dylan Thomas won the race back in 2007 before going on to win four Group 1s that year, culminating with victory in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp.
Ballydoyle handler Aidan O'Brien has won the race four times in the last five years, and if he handles really testing conditions, GREENLAND could be the answer in a competitive renewal. The four-year-old son of Saxon Warrior won a French Group 3 at Saint-Cloud over this trip in May last year, and conditions were quite testing on that occasion which bodes well.
Greenland was far from disgraced on his next start when fourth behind Ace Impact in a French Group 2 at Deauville over 1m2f in August, and he rounded off his campaign with a rather disappointing fifth behind Fantastic Moon in the Group 2 Prix Niel over 1m4f in September. There's every chance he will prove to be a better horse in testing conditions and he can strike first time up.
If there is a danger to the selection, it could prove to be the Joseph O'Brien-trained Maxux.
The daughter of Frankel made short work of talented stablemate Sandy Creek on her debut at Gowran Park in June, and she was hugely impressive when last seen winning a 1m1f Group 3 at Fairyhouse in September, bolting up despite missing the break completely.
She could be anything and regardless of what happens in this contest, she is one to keep on the right side of this year.
4.35 - Spring Series Median Auction Fillies Maiden (1m2f)
Moving on to a decent looking maiden and although Aidan O'Brien has also farmed this race in recent years, netting seven of the last 10 runnings, typically the winner has had at least one run under her belt. With that in mind, although Opaque could turn out to be a lovely filly in time, she might just need the run here.
The horse that interests me is Joseph O'Brien's EVENING BLOSSOM with Dylan Browne McMonagle booked for the ride. Out of Australia, the three-year-old seemed to handle soft ground well when third behind Irish Oaks entry Porters Place on her debut at this track over 7f in October.
Porters Place put in one of the most visually striking performances of the year on that occasion and looks a Group 1 winner in waiting this year. Despite missing the start, Evening Blossom came from rear to lead approaching the furlong pole, but just got run out of it in the closing stages. The step up in trip should do her the world of good and there has to be improvement coming.
Of the rest, Lady Doris strikes as a type who will improve vastly from first to second start. Donnacha O'Brien's runner outran her 50/1 odds when fourth to Soldier's Empire on debut at Dundalk in a valuable maiden in October. The daughter of Churchill will have to prove her effectiveness in the mud, but she should be one to follow this year.
5.05 - Handicap (6f)
Last but certainly not least, the final selection of the day runs in the 6f handicap, with a field of eight runners set to go to post. Despite the field size, it's a very competitive race on paper, and one horse who will handle the conditions better than most is course specialist LAUGH A MINUTE, who hails from the Ado McGuinness yard and has talented 5lb claimer Adam Caffrey aboard.
This horse has run in some of the biggest handicaps of the year at the Curragh, and he has won three times at the track. All of those victories came over 5f, but he is a multiple winner over 6f and 7f so there is no issue with the trip. He also handles heavy ground very well and is a strong traveller who likes to pounce late and fast.
Laugh A Minute also has the benefit of a recent run over course and distance when third behind Real Force on Irish Lincoln day last month. He kept on well late on and his effort can be marked up as he was short of room two-furlongs out which cost him plenty of momentum. Running from the same mark, he can reverse the form with Stag Night who was in second on that occasion.
Stag Night is the big danger to the selection, however. He followed up his Curragh second with victory at Cork 12 days later under a good ride from a promising 10lb claimer who will keep the ride. He has a very good record on heavy ground and has won over this sort of trip. Likely to be up with the pace early, Stag Night will probably want to get on with things and Laugh A Minute will be waiting in the wings to strike late on.
