Weekend racing preview: High Definition the star on show in Irish Derby

Following the Derby and Royal Ascot in quick succession, attention turns across the water on Saturday with the Group One Irish Derby the highlight at the Curragh.
Action from Curragh Racecourse. Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty ImagesAction from Curragh Racecourse. Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images
Action from Curragh Racecourse. Photo by Alan Crowhurst/Getty Images

Eleven runners go to post for the 12-furlong event and the race is live at 3.45pm on ITV Racing.

We’ve previewed the runners and riders with a complete racecard guide, so read on for our horse racing tips.

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The 15/8 market leader is High Definition who bids to give Aidan O’Brien a 15th victory in the Irish Classic. The three-year-old won both of his starts last term and returned to action with a pleasing third at York in the Dante. The son of Galileo was staying on at the finish and gives the impression that the step up to 12 furlongs will suit. He is a worthy market leader and remains a hugely exciting prospect going forward this term.

The Richard Hannon-trained Mojo Star was an excellent second in the Derby at Epsom last time, his third second-placed finish in three career starts. The three-year-old stayed on strongly from an uncompromising position and there is bags more improvement to come. He is the 55/1 second favourite, ahead of Derby third Hurricane Lane at 11/2. Godolphin’s charge landed the Dante at York, but looked stretch by 12 furlongs at Epsom and he is not a certain stayer in this event.

Lone Eagle (8/1) will have the services of Frankie Dettori in the Irish Derby having made all to score in good style at Goodwood in the Listed Cocked Hat Stakes last time out. He is another each-way possible along with Irish 2000 Guineas winner Mac Swiney who was fourth in the Derby last time out and is also available at 8/1. Listed winner Fernando Vichi (25/1) will need to take a step forward to feature prominently in this event.

Along with High Definition, Aidan O’Brien has four other runners in the race, including Van Gogh (14/1) who best effort this term came when third in the Irish 1000 Guineas and Wordsworth (20/1), a staying-on second in the Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot last week. O’Brien’s quintet are completed by likely pacesetters Arturo Toscanini (50/1) and Matchless (125/1).

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Elsewhere on the card, Dr Zempf (5/2) bids to maintain his unbeaten record in the Group Two Gain Railway Stakes at 3.05pm. He oozed class when scoring over course and distance earlier this month and can get the better of Marble Hill Stakes hero Castle Star (11/4) and Norfolk Stakes second Go Bears Go (9/2).

In Britain, the pick of the domestic action sees Trueshan bid for glory in the Northumberland Plate (3.30pm) at Newcastle. Trained by Alan King, the five-year-old missed Royal Ascot on account of the ground and is the 9/2 market leader for the two-mile event on the All-Weather. The list of dangers are headed by Dubious Affair (13/2) who was second in the Copper Horse Stakes at Royal Ascot, whilst unexposed stayers Australis (8/1), Grandmaster Flash (12/1), Hochfeld (12/1) and Mildenberger (12/1) in a thrilling event.