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It's Irish 2000 Guineas day this Saturday, so this is the first part of our Curragh betting tips from a weekend of important action in the Emerald Isle. Supporting the first Classic of the year in Ireland is the Group 2 Greenlands Stakes for sprinters. Read all about these races and who our experts like here!
If the Irish 2000 Guineas (15:20) passes an inspection, then the ground will be testing. The Vertem Futurity Trophy has been an informative Classic guide in recent years, so Mac Swiney looks well worth backing each-way after winning that on heavy going at the back end of last season.
One of two in the race trained by Jim Bolger and running in his wife's colours, Mac Swiney comes here a fresh colt. Stable companion Poetic Flare, who won the English equivalent at the start of the month, ran in the French version of these race on Sunday.
He perhaps wasn't given the best tactical ride, and now takes to the track for the third time in as many weeks. Mac Swiney didn't seem to get the trip in the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial on reappearance at Leopardstown, meanwhile. However, coming back down in distance on a softer surface should suit him much better.
Many of his main market rivals are top of the ground colts who may not handle the conditions. There are no such doubts about Mac Swiney. If the meeting goes ahead, then the 10/1 with Betfred about him looks a value each-way play.
Van Gogh is another with Group 1 form on heavy ground, meanwhile, and he was best of the Aidan O'Brien trio in the English 2000 Guineas. He may also be worth a wager at a top-price 8/1 with Bet365 in these conditions.
In the Group 2 Lanwades Stud Stakes for fillies and mares over a mile (15:55), our Curragh betting tips make Champers Elysees. Johnny Murtagh's charge handles cut in the ground too and did nothing but progress last season out of handicap company all the way to the top.
Champers Elysees went through the grades notching four consecutive wins on all types of going. Such versatility stands her in good stead here. After summer wins her and at the Galway Festival, she landed a Gowran Park Group 3 win and backed it up with Group 1 glory 10 days later at Leopardstown.
It was a remarkable rise. Despite finishing a desperately unlucky fourth in the Sun Chariot at Newmarket on her final start, Champers Elysees should come on for her return to action. It was an inadequate trip and impossible task conceding 17lb in the Athasai Stakes earlier this month. Champers Elysees is a worthy 11/10 favourite with Betfair here in a race where she's clear on ratings.
In the Group 2 Greenland Stakes earlier on Irish 2000 Guineas day (14:45), bottom weight Sonaiyla appeals most. Since joining current trainer Paddy Twomey, this mare has run a string of fine races in Ireland. They include finishing second and third at this venue.
Sonaiyla now meets Phoenix Sprint conqueror Glen Shiel off 3lb better terms. There is just a neck between the pair on that form. The fact that she has won over seven furlongs is a plus, especially on the forecast ground. Sonaiyla was also a never nearer length third to Glass Slippers over an iadequate five furlongs here on Irish Champions Weekend.
Twomey has had a couple of winners from his small string of horses recently too. At the odds on offer, 5/1 with BetVictor about Sonaiyla winning on reappearance looks value. Last year's winner Speak In Colours also commands respect but didn't fare so well on his first Irish turf start of the campaign.
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