Curragh, Saturday 27 June 2026: Tips & Selections

Curragh, Saturday 27 June 2026: Tips & Selections

Three Pattern races at the Curragh today, with a decent smattering of showers keeping things honest on what is otherwise a quick surface. Good to firm in the Pretty Polly, good for the two earlier races. Ryan Moore brings his 31% course strike rate to the party across multiple rides, and Aidan O’Brien’s yard is ticking over at a respectable clip from 43 runners in the last fortnight. Worth noting that James Doyle’s A/E of 1.14 at this track makes him one to follow when the price is right. Let us get into it.

2:15 — Airlie Stud Stakes (Group 2, 6½f, Good)

Six runners, short field, odds-on favourite. This is essentially a match between Confucius and Immortal Guard, with a debut colt in Mr Predicted providing the one significant unknown.

Confucius is half a length off Group 2 level at Ascot on his most recent start and has the Moore/O’Brien machine behind him. At 1/2, there is no betting value whatsoever, but he is clearly the horse to beat. The trainer is running at 8/43 over the past fortnight and Moore at 31% at this venue, so backing them blind makes logical sense even if the price is brutal.

The better play is Immortal Guard at 9/2 with Boyle Sports. He was third in a Group 3 here on his previous visit and finished with real purpose, suggesting the step up to this level is within his reach rather than beyond it. The Curragh at 6f suits him, he handles this ground, and W J Lee gets on well with this type of horse. The yard has been quiet in the last 14 days but Immortal Guard’s course form is the most concrete evidence on offer from the market-priced alternatives. At 9/2 in a six-runner field, the place is effectively guaranteed if he runs his race, and he could nick the lot.

Selection: Immortal Guard at 9/2 (Boyle Sports / Betfred). Honest each-way alternative to the jolly.

3:20 — Anglesey Stakes (Group 3, 6f, Good)

Sun Goddess is a near-unbackable 4/11 favourite and honestly, the market has got this right. She ran a Group 3 at Ascot eight days ago to a standard that clears this field by several lengths on form, and Aidan O’Brien has a strong record in this race. Ryan Moore at 31% course wins. The quick turnaround is the only question mark, but O’Brien does not send them back under a fortnight unless they are right.

The each-way interest in an eight-runner field at 1/5 three places is not compelling at short prices, but if you need a saver, Velozee Each-Way at 8/1 (Boyle Sports) or 7/1 (LiveScore Bet) is the most interesting runner behind the jolly. She won a course-and-distance contest in good style earlier in the season, her Ascot run in a Group 2 looks like it came on ground that was not quite testing enough over a trip that stretched her, and dropping back to 6f at the Curragh puts her back on her favourite track and trip. Pat Twomey’s yard has a 19% course record and she is well placed in the draw. At 8/1 each-way, you are getting a genuine place shot at a fair price.

Selection: Sun Goddess to win; Velozee each-way at 8/1 (Boyle Sports) as the value saver.

3:55 — Pretty Polly Stakes (Group 1, 1m2f, Good To Firm)

The flagship race of the day and the one where there is genuine debate at the top of the market. Estrange is the 3/1 favourite and deserves her position: three wins from her last five starts including a Group 3 at Carlisle last month, handles any ground, and looks well within herself when asserting. She holds something back and that is a trait you want in a Group 1.

However, the selection here is Red Letter Each-Way at 9/1 (Boyle Sports / Betfred). A filly who has shown real quality across her recent starts, she went to York for a Group 2 and was beaten under a length in second, despite arriving at the start in a lathered state. That is a form line that gets better the longer you look at it. She has shown she handles any ground, the step to Group 1 level is warranted rather than speculative, and Colin Keane knows the Curragh as well as any jockey in Ireland. At 9/1 in a ten-runner race with three places at 1/5 odds, the each-way case is strong.

Qilin Queen at 40/1 is worth a mention: her Longchamp run at a shorter trip can be entirely forgiven, and she has course and distance form behind her, but 40s is where she belongs given the current form of her rivals.

One Look at 15/2 with James Doyle is interesting given that jockey’s A/E of 1.14 at this course, and the first-time cheekpieces stepping back up to her best trip has form angle written all over it. She goes in the exotics.

Selection: Red Letter each-way at 9/1 (Boyle Sports / Betfred), three places at 1/5 odds.

Today’s NAP

Red Letter — Pretty Polly Stakes (3:55, Curragh)
Odds: 9/1 — Boyle Sports (others: 9/1 Betfred, 8/1 LiveScore Bet)

A filly who ran a career-best in a Group 2 at York last time out, finishing second by under a length despite a difficult pre-race demeanour. The form stacks up against this Group 1 field, she handles the good to firm, and Colin Keane on a filly with something to prove at the Curragh is a combination that demands respect. Estrange heads the market but 9/1 about Red Letter is a price that should not be available by race time.

Each-Way Recommended — 3 places at 1/5 odds