'She has a proper shout' - who wants to be a millionaire at the Curragh?

Saturday: 3.20 Curragh
Goffs Million | 7f | 2yo | ITV4/RTV

The Goffs Million, which is actually now worth more than a million with a cheque for €611,000 going to the winner, is Europe's richest juvenile race and returns for the first time since 2009.

It is hardly surprising to see such a big field take their chance given there is €246,800 for second and prize-money all the way down to tenth place. Only nine of the 19 who enter the stalls won't get paid. It is a race not just worth winning, but a race worth running in.

Hellsing is the obvious starting point for punters. He already boasts an official rating of 103 and has won a Listed race and been placed in a Group 3. He even won his maiden at the Curragh. His sole defeat came in the Tyros Stakes at Leopardstown in July where he chased home Proud And Regal. That form looks strong now as the horse who conquered him there has since gone on to finish second in the National Stakes.

Joseph O'Brien has a strong team of juveniles this season and he is represented by Zoinnocent and The Franchise, who finished third over course and distance on his debut last month.

Zoinnocent is undoubtedly the more interesting of the pair. She has had four starts but she doesn't look the finished article yet. She flew home to take second in the Silver Flash at Leopardstown in July and, while she was a shade disappointing when only fifth to Meditate in the Debutante Stakes last time, cover in a big-field might be exactly what she needs. She looks decent value at a double figure price.

It is a big day for the Ballydoyle juveniles with leading contenders in the Middle Park, Cheveley Park and Royal Lodge at Newmarket, as well as the Beresford earlier on the Curragh card. It is interesting that Aidan O'Brien relies solely on Hiawatha given the prize-money on offer.

The son of Camelot, who is a brother to Arc favourite Luxembourg, looks like he relished every inch of the mile when winning his maiden at the track last time out and this shorter trip could prove inadequate. He has class, though, and that can sometimes suffice.

There is a seriously strong British challenge, both in terms of numbers and quality. Ed Bethell sends his first horse to Ireland in the shape of Oviedo. He was third to Chaldean in the Acomb at York and that form looks very good now given the winner has since landed the Champagne Stakes at Doncaster and is rated 115. The fifth home there - Local Dynasty - was quite impressive next time at Sandown.

Still, Oviedo's Racing Post Rating of 97 in the Acomb needs to be improved upon.

He's A Monster's Chelmsford win was easy on the eye, while Killybegs Warrior has won two of his three starts and was well on top at the line at Newmarket last time. The Patrick Owens-trained Wahaaj is also two from three, while Galeron bounced back to form with a fine effort in a valuable sales race at Doncaster last time.

Champion Keane confident of bold showing from classy Hellsing

Colin Keane said he would not swap Hellsing for anything else in the race as Ireland's champion jockey goes in search of one of his biggest ever paydays.

Successful on Westover in the Irish Derby earlier on this season, Keane has his eyes on another juicy prize here and feels Hellsing has the ideal big-race experience for a competitive contest of this nature.

Keane said: "Hellsing is a Listed winner and the form of his second in a Group 3 at Leopardstown has worked out with the winner running well in the National Stakes on Irish Champions Weekend.

"We do think he's a nice horse and he's progressing with every run. I know it's a very competitive race but I certainly wouldn't swap him for anything else."

What they say

Aidan O'Brien, trainer of Hiawatha
He's in good form but he wouldn't mind going a bit further. I'd say seven will be on the sharp side for him. He hasn't got a great draw either [stall 19] but he is a nice colt.

Ed Bethell, trainer of Oviedo
His debut was good and then he was unlucky not to finish a darn sight closer in the Acomb Stakes. That form is very solid and gives him a big chance, though I'm not sure we're drawn in the best place.

Joseph O'Brien, trainer of The Franchise and Zoinnocent
Zoinnocent has got some nice form and has been running in Group company of late. It looks a very competitive race, as you would expect for the money, but we're hoping she can run well. The Franchise is a nice colt who made an encouraging start to his career in a course and distance maiden. We're hoping he can step up on that and run a nice race here.

Richard Hannon, trainer of Magical Sunset
This is Europe's richest two-year-old race and there are lots of other incentives to run so it was a no-brainer to give it a shot. She didn't disgrace herself at Doncaster last time, but I think she'll be better suited by the step up in trip and we've got a decent jockey on board. This is a very tough race but she's a good filly and has a proper shout.

Saturday's race previews:

1.35 Curragh: Aidan O'Brien saddles two in bid for staggering 22nd Beresford Stakes win

1.50 Newmarket: Can Appleby's Royal Lodge luck change with classy juvenile Flying Honours?

2.25 Newmarket: 'She's as good as Tiggy Wiggy' - who will come out on top in the Cheveley Park?

3.00 Newmarket: 'There's more to come' - Marshman and Blackbeard face off in classy Middle Park

3.40 Newmarket: 'He'll run a big race' - trainers on their hopes for the Cambridgeshire

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