The Jessica Harrington-trained Admiralty Place should prove too strong for his younger rivals in the Cavalor Equine Nutrition Maiden at the opening session of the Guineas Festival at the Curragh.
The 87-rated four-year-old doesn’t look entirely straightforward, but has performed creditably in his three starts this season and has been found a good opportunity here.
Third to Irish Guineas hope Malex on his stable debut, the Territories gelding was then narrowly beaten by Needle Lace in a Limerick maiden.
Last time, on his handicap debut, he ran a cracker to finish a close third of 25 behind Lord Dudley in the ultracompetitive Mallow Handicap in Cork.
Back in maiden company, he must give weight to his three-year-old rivals but should be up to the task.
The Joseph O’Brien-trained Hannibal Barca, a close fourth behind Luxembourg in the Group 1 Vertem Futurity on his final start last year before being purchased for 500,000 Guineas, should be tough to beat on his Irish debut in the Group 3 Heider Family Stables Gallinule Stakes.
And, badly drawn last time in Cork, the Ger Lyons-trained Mutasarref appeals in the ultra-competitive €150,000 William Hill Emerald Mile Handicap.
Colin Keane’s mount had impressed on his stable debut at Leopardstown and should go close here.
Peter O’Hehir's tips for the Curragh
4.25.Apache Outlaw
4.55.Waterville
5.25.Hannibal Barca
6.00.Mutasarref
6.35.Admiralty Place (Nap)
7.10.Half Nutz
7.45.My Eyes Adore You
8.15.Echoes In Rain
Next Best
4.25.Panic Alarm
4.55.World Famous
5.25.Anchorage
6.00.Haziya
6.35.Navagio
7.10.Punk Poet
7.45.Soilse
8.15.Sionnach Eile
Double : Hannibal Barca and Admiralty Place.
O’Hehir’s Longshot : No More Porter (6.00.)
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