Following the well-treated horses in yesterdays British Cesarewitch Handicap paid dividends, and we are taking a similar approach to pick out the winner in the Irish version of the Cesarewitch at The Curragh today.
Three-year-olds have a strong recent record in this race, in part down to the substantial weight-for-age-allowance that they receive. Willie Mullins picked up this prize last year and we are tipping him to snap it up again with the fast-improving LAWS OF SPIN, who seemed to progress on his first attempt over a stamina-testing distance.
He sneaks in at the bottom of-the-handicap and is officially weighted 11lbs well-in with the current favourite, Pyromaniac, who has a cracking chance despite his 5lb rise for his latest start when he was runner-up to Quick Jack at Leopardstown.
Laws Of Spin has already proven his stamina, and Mullins horses are in exceptional form over the flat at the moment. He is partnered by the experienced Chris Hayes which is also a positive.
The other horse that looks very well-treated is entered by another National Hunt heavyweight trainer in Gordon Elliott.
AUTOMATED does not profess the most impressive form over the flat, but he has only raced over 2m on two previous occasions and each time, he has improved and finished in the places.
He was third at the Galway festival behind Artful Artist and Water Sprite over a similar trip, both of whom reoppose on severely worse terms and he should turn that around.
Automated’s form has looked much better in recent months – including a third-place over hurdles where he is rated +127 – and he has finished off his races particularly well. He has the benefit of a 10lb claimer on-board and if he can reproduce a similar effort to his latest runs, then he looks weighted to go very close.
Others that are entitled to run well include the progressive Swamp Fox, and British Raider Slunovrat.
1pt win Laws Of Spin @8/1, 16:55 Curragh, Sunday
1pt win Automated @12/1, 16:55 Curragh, Sunday