Can favourite backers kick off Curragh card with well-backed winner?
Today's top stories
There are four back-to-back Group 1 races at the Curragh – it doesn't get any better than that!
The Brits look likely protagonists in the Derrinstown Stud Flying Five Stakes (2.55), with Nunthorpe heroine Winter Power, Glass Slippers and Dragon Symbol at the top of the market, while unbeaten juveniles Point Lonsdale and Native Trail clash in the Goffs Vincent O'Brien National Stakes (4.05).
The Moyglare Stud Stakes (3.30) and Comer Group International Irish St Leger (4.40) complete the top-level Curragh offerings, although Love features on the undercard and is a hot favourite for the Moyglare Jewels Blandford Stakes (2.20).
Arc favourite Snowfall is long odds on to gain a fourth successive Group 1 in the Qatar Prix Vermeille (2.55) at Longchamp, where she is partnered by Frankie Dettori.
There could be Qipco British Champions Day pointers too as Skalleti takes aim at the Prix Foy (3.30), while favourite Bolshoi Ballet is a non-runner in the Prix Niel (1.33) due to an irregularity in his passport surrounding an equine influenza vaccination.
Market movers
Punters are hoping to kick off day two of the Irish Champions Weekend at the Curragh on the right note with well-backed favourite Jon Riggens, who has shortened to 4-1 from as big as 8-1 yesterday.
Jon Riggens’ trainer Edward Lynam won the Irish Stallion Farms EBF "Bold Lad" Sprint Handicap with Soffia three years ago and his market leader has a lightly raced, progressive profile.
He won on his fourth start and stable debut in a Curragh maiden last time and an opening mark of 86 may underestimate the ability of Chris Hayes’s mount.
There is not much to split Winter Power, Dragon Symbol and Glass Slippers in the Flying Five betting, with the first two sprinters sharing favouritism at 3-1 and Glass Slippers a best price 7-2 with William Hill.
The Michael O’Callaghan-trained King X J was a promising seventh on debut at this track and has halved in price to 4-1 with bet365 for the valuable Tattersalls Ireland Super Auction Sale Stakes.
Over at Longchamp, Pretty Tiger is being supported in the Prix Niel. Christophe Soumilion's mount was as big as 10-3 with Sky Bet yesterday and is now into 15-8 behind 7-4 market leader Bolshoi Ballet.
1.33 Longchamp Pretty Tiger 15-8 (from 10-3)
1.45 Curragh Jon Riggens 4-1 (from 8)
5.15 Curragh King X J 4-1 (from 8)
5.30 Haydock Mystery Fox 2-1 (from 5)
5.45 Curragh Max Mayhem 17-2 (from 18)
The going
Day two of Irish Champions Weekend at the Curragh will take place on ground described as good on the straight course and good, good to firm in places on the round course.
Selective watering has ensured a safe racing surface for the meeting, with four top-level races on the eight-race card.
Brendan Sheridan, clerk of the course at the Curragh, said: "The ground remains good on the straight course and good, good to firm on the round course following three millimetres of rain since declarations and selective watering.
"The forecast is for it to stay mainly dry with the possibility of some light showers and we're all good to go."
The ground is described as good for Arc trials day at Longchamp, while the only going change among the four meetings in Britain is at Bath, where the ground has quickened to firm (from firm, good to firm in places).
Sunday previews:
Can Search For A Song land the hat-trick in the Irish St Leger at the Curragh?
Love faces serious opposition dropping down in grade for the Blandford Stakes
Nunthorpe Stakes heroine Winter Power faces fierce test in Flying Five
'Straightforward' Point Lonsdale out to extend perfect record in National Stakes
Agartha and Homeless Songs renew rivalry in fascinating Moyglare Stud Stakes
'He should be three from three' – key quotes as Sunday Series draws to a close
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