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Key Tips for Saturday's Curragh Group 3s Neutral

17-7-25 Leopardstown.Queen Of Hawaii and Dylan Browne McMonagle win the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden.Healy Racing Photo
© Healy Racing Photos

A cracking afternoon of racing in store from the Curragh on Saturday includes a trio of Group 3 races.

The Newtownanner Stud Irish European Breeders Fund Stakes (14:20), the Heider Family Stables Round Tower Stakes (14:52) and the Snow Fairy Fillies Stakes (15:27) all precede the Irish Cambridgeshire later on in the afternoon. We have tips for the trio of Group 3 events on the card.

Selections for The Curragh's Group 3s

14:20 Curragh - Queen Of Hawaii

Aidan O'Brien has won this seven times since 2005 and his 7f course debut winner Sugar Island will be popular for the win now under Ryan Moore, however, that July success has taken a knock or two on the form book.

Queen Of Hawaii was well held on debut over 7f here in June but came forward nicely to win a 1m Leopardstown maiden on good ground the following month in the hands of Dylan McMonagle.

That form puts her right in the firing line for this and she has already improved for this mile trip.

Her rider has been hoovering up weekend wins lately as he chases a maiden jockeys' title and can start off another good day at HQ.

2.201m. 6 Declared.
Newtownanner Stud Irish EBF Stakes (Group 3) of €65,000.00 2-y-o

14:52 Curragh - Red Earth

Mission Central heads the betting for the Heider Family Stables Round Tower Stakes off the back of his second-time-out win over C&D earlier this month.

He made all and left his rivals trailing in behind as he sauntered clear for an eight-length win.

He sets the standard, but Red Earth made a pleasing first impression at Naas (6f, yielding) last month when taking care of business under minimal urging from Seamie Heffernan.

23-7-25 Naas.Red Earth and Seamie Heffernan (left) win the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden from Krasimir (right).Healy Racing Photo
© Healy Racing Photos

He beat the experienced Krasimir cosily and the third, Whatchadoin, ran well in third behind Mission Central next time out at this venue.

Fozzy Stack's son of No Nay Never is open to plenty of improvement after that initial success five weeks ago and it's no shock to find him taking a cut at a race of this ilk.

He could be destined for much better things and, at the forecast odds, appeals as a solid each-way option now.

2.526f. 10 Declared.
Heider Family Stables Round Tower Stakes (Group 3) of €60,000.00 2-y-o

15:27 Curragh - Red Letter

Ger Lyons' Frankel filly Red Letter can grab the spoils in the Snow Fairy Fillies Stakes over nine-furlongs.

She remains low-mileage after just six starts and has two wins and two placed efforts on her CV.

She didn't run badly in the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket on her comeback in May, beaten less than three lengths, and was only denied by Barnavara in a hot renewal of the Listed Kooyonga Stakes at Navan in June.

The winner won a Group 3 next time and third collected a Listed prize, as did Red Letter on her only outing since.

That came at Killarney (1m, soft) just over six weeks ago where she overcame a wide draw and ground softer than she would relish to come and collect with something to spare.

The extra furlong on good ground looks to be in her favour and it's unlikely we have seen the best of this Juddmonte-owned three-year-old.

3.271m. 1f. 7 Declared.
Snow Fairy (Fillies) Stakes (Group 3) of €60,000.00 3-y-o plus

About Enda McElhinney
Donegal born and bred, Enda has more than 10 years' experience covering Irish and UK racing with the Racing Post, Spotlight Sports Group and previously Sporting Life and The Telegraph. Jumps racing is his premier passion, though he is a year-round follower of horses. He also covers other sports, including GAA, and when not studying the formbook, he can often be found on some of Donegal's world class Links golf courses attempting to lower his handicap.