IRISH ANGLE

NAP OF THE DAY

IT’S great to see so many UK-based trainers represented at the Curragh today in both the Group 1 Phoenix Stakes and in the Group 3 Phoenix Sprint Stakes.

Hollie Doyle also makes the trip and she can land the featured contest on BRADSELL (4.15) for Archie Watson.

The juvenile colt has won two from two and was hugely impressive at York before scoring the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot in June.

He has two Aidan O’Brien colts to beat but Watson’s bravery in tackling this should be rewarded with a win.

EACH-WAY THIEF

THE Sheehy Motors Volkswagen Handicap is a good heat with nine runners and ICE COLD IN ALEX (3.45) is given an each-way chance on his favourite track. He can often run well here and the last of his five career wins came here a year ago on Derby weekend, as did his best run of this season when third over 7f at the 2022 meeting in June.

Joey Sheridan gets on well with the Ken Condon-trained veteran and a big run is anticipated.

ONE TO WATCH

BOY SCOUT (1.30) is a son of Frankel that cost Coolmore an eye-watering 925,000 GNS and is a fascinating debutant in the opening maiden at the Curragh today.

The Aidan O’Brientrained colt is partnered by Ryan Moore, who has ridden eight winners from just 23 rides for Ballydoyle alone in the past three weeks.

Aidan’s son Joseph looks to pose the biggest threat with Al Riffa but this one could be a rare enough Ballydoyle debut winner.

ONE TO SWERVE

JOE MURPHY’S Gustavus Weston (3.15) is looking for a hat-trick having won the Phoenix Sprint in 2021 and 2019 but they came with plenty of cut in the ground.

The forecast is good for the Curragh and he might struggle to win again on the better going.