Irish Weekend Racing Tips: Three Bets For The Curragh On Saturday
The Curragh will play host to the Irish 2000 Guineas on Saturday - the season's first Classic on these shores.
Some of the best three-year-old horses will be in action, including a number of British-trained runners looking to down the home team.
Also on the card is the Group 2 Greenlands Stakes and a valuable 1m2f Premier Handicap.
Below, our tipster picks out the best bets for each of the three races and the top odds available on betting sites.
Tip 1: 14:30 Curragh - Dutch Gold 0.5pts Each-Way - 17/2 With Quinnbet (5 Places)
A 19-runner handicap is not for the faint-hearted, and there are a number of runners in here that could surprise at a big odds.
The favourite, Himalayan Heights, is a classy sort, but is worth taking on at the prices.
I have a feeling that Dutch Gold might be slipping in here under the radar off a nice weight.
The Noel Meade-trained five-year-old hasn't won in quite some time, but he has a course and distance victory to his name and has dropped to a nice mark of 85.
Hopefully, the first time cheekpieces will have the desired effect, and he should be staying on in the latter stages.
Those looking for even more each-way value could do worse than backing Star Harbour.
Tip 2: 15:05 Curragh - My Mate Alfie 1pt Win - 4/1 With Bet365
Storm Boy will be all the rage here as he makes his debut for Aidan O'Brien.
He was a Group One performer in Australia and may prove hard to beat on his Irish bow now dropped in class.
Saying that, I am willing to take him on with the consistent My Mate Alfie.
Ger Lyons' charge was progressive last season, and there was nothing wrong with his reappearance at Naas last month.
He was a little bit rusty on that occasion, but flew home to finish a close second.
With that run under his belt, he will give the favourite plenty to think about here.
Tip 3: 15:40 Curragh - Field Of Gold 1pt Win - 11/10 With William Hill
The Irish 2000 Guineas is always a tough race to win, but Field Of Gold looks like the standout candidate this year.
He was unfortunate not to win the British equivalent of this race, missing the kick for home, after which he was always playing catch-up.
Before that, the Kingman colt was an impressive winner of the Craven Stakes, and he should be able to bounce back to winning ways here.
His biggest rival will be in the same colours, with fellow Juddmonte-owned runner Cosmic Year.
He is unbeaten in his three starts to date and is sure to keep on improving.
Hotazhell and Officer may prove to be the home team's best chances.
