Curragh afternoon racing tips: Best bets for Saturday, April 20

They race at the Co. Kildare venue from 13:35 -17:05 and Enda McElhinney has tips for all seven races for Planet Sport readers.

Don't forget to check out the full racecard, results and live odds in Planet Sport's racing live centre.

Good luck and please gamble responsibly.

(Please be aware selections could become non-runners after article's first publication)

 

13:35 (Curragh) Igor Stravinksky

Both No Knee Never for Joseph O'Brien and Zaynab for Gordon Elliott showed enough in lone starts at this venue to suggest they'll be winning races before long.

But Aidan O'Brien sends out newcomer Igor Stravinsky and the No Nay Never colt could be good enough to make an immediate impact.

He's well related and is entered in next month's Irish 2000 Guineas.

 

14:10 (Curragh) Jalaybee

Dermot Weld's runner Jalaybee could go well here getting weight from the field. The Showcasing gelding showed ability in three starts early last season and, while disappointing on final outing at Naas in October, last month's comeback in a 5f Cork maiden – where he was fifth of 18 – was a solid showing.

He's entitled to be sharper for it and has his chance under Chris Hayes.

 

14:45 (Curragh) Earls

The Gavin Cromwell-trained Earls is on a winning mark and should come on from his comeback run at this track last month over a mile (heavy) where he made up good late ground after a slow start to finish fifth of 19 runners.

The Dream Ahead gelding knows where the winning post is, boasting a 24 per-cent strike-rate on turf (9-37) and has plenty winning form on heavy ground.

 

15:20 (Curragh) Concluding Call

A wide open maiden on paper. Donnacha O'Brien's newcomer Uncanny will demand a close look as Ryan Moore is partnering the Churchill filly.

Concluding Call shaped with promise in a pair of Polytrack maidens at Dundalk in the winter and Willie McCreery's Holy Roman Emperor filly should have more to offer on turf before long.

 

15:55 (Curragh) Village Voice

Maxux was an impressive Group 3 winner at Fairyhouse in September for Joseph O'Brien and could be hard to topple now but Village Voice is preferred.

Jessica Harrington's filly was behind in third that afternoon, but she was gaining at the line.

She went to France in October and bagged a Group 3 prize of her own and was a Listed heavy-ground winner in last season's comeback.

She has to improve again but Shane Foley's partner is a lively contender.

 

16:30 (Curragh) Bloom Vega

Chemistry was third in a Naas maiden on heavy ground in October and the Ballydoyle colt could have plenty more to come now. He's one to monitor closely.

Johnny Murtagh's newcomer Bloom Vega is interesting. She's bred to be smart and should have no issues on this testing surface on pedigree. It wouldn't be any shock to see her taking front rank in this maiden.

 

17:05 (Curragh) Secret Magician

A winner over course and distance last August, the Martin Hassett-trained Secret Magician shaped well for a long way over 7f on last month's comeback run at Cork.

He is 2lb below his previous win-mark now and has Wayne Hassett climbing back on board taking off a handy 7lb in the saddle. This two-time C&D winner has gone close in both runs here on heavy ground and looks primed for another big effort in a fiendish finale.

 

Curragh selections in full:

Curragh: 13:35 Igor Stravinksky, 14:10 Jalaybee, 14:45 Earls, 15:20 Concluding Call, 15:55 Village Voice, 16:30 Bloom Vega, 17:05 Secret Magician.