Sunday 27th June Tips

Shareef Dancer in 1983 was the last horse to complete the King Edward VII/Irish Derby double, but hopes are high that fast improver Monterosso can improve on that statistic in this afternoon’s renewal (5.10pm, RTE1).

The one factor that might derail his bid is the mere 9 day gap between races, but he seems to take his sport very well (already run 7 times this season).

This doesn’t strike you as a vintage running of the Curragh Classic, and although Midas Touch is my biggest fear of the Aidan O’Brien team I reckon the decision of Mark Johnston and connections to stump up a massive €125,000 to supplement their son of Dubawi can pay handsome dividends in an open looking contest.

He’s a 7/2 poke with either Coral or Totesport.

Your correspondent spent a couple of happy hours in the comany of Welsh handler Ron Harris watching the USA v Ghana match in a bar in Naas last night, and am pleased to pass on a good word for his filly Glamorous Spirit in the Group 3 Sapphire Stakes at 2.15pm here at the Curragh.

While she appears to be potentially out of her depth in this company it might pay to take a second look: she has the assistance of one K Fallon in the plate, bags of speed over the minimum trip, and unheralded might just nick this from the front at a general 33/1.�

There are only 25 to try and unravel in the National Lottery Sweepstakes race at 3.50pm, and the buzz is for Jim Goldie’s Hakeyethenoo, but it might pay to side with another of the English horses in the race with Oldjoesaid primed to make his mark in the uber-competitive handicap.

Now in the care of Kevin Ryan he’s slipped back to a handy looking mark of 91, and can play a part each way at 16/1 with several of the firms including Ladbrokes, Hills, VC and Stan James, although Bet365 or Paddy Power are 14/1 but paying each way 1/4 odds 1-2-3-4-5.

Having tipped up two English horses running in Ireland I’ll return the favour with a positive mention for Charles Byrnes’ Classic Frontier in the marathon Summer National over 3m 4f at 2.40pm.

They won’t be taking him over just to get a whiff of the delightful Staffordsire air, although the renowned health giving effects of a lung full of Stoke fumes are rumoured to add/subtract 20 years from your life.

Neatly weighted, he hacked up at Kilbeggan last time in a race which has seen its form franked and should appreciate the quickish surface.

As long as he stays he’s the one to beat. Back him each way at 6/1 with Bet365 or William Hill.

Apparently there’s a small football match going on at 3pm in Bloemfontein.

This is very much a contender for penalties and extra time, so rather than getting involved in the intricacies of whether one or both sides might wilt under that pressure, back the draw in 90 minutes at 11/5 with any of Bet365, Coral, Stan James or Totesport.

Both sides have their weaknesses, but the impetus not to lose is massive, and the draw looks to provide a value option.

Good luck!

Sunday’s best bets:

2.15 Curragh – Dubai Duty Free Sapphire Stakes – 8 Glamorous Spirit (each way) @ 33/1 (general)

2.40 Uttoxeter – Britannia English Summer National Handicap Chase – 10 Classic Frontier (each way) @ 6/1 (Bet365 or William Hill)

3.50 Curragh – National Lottery Sweepstakes Race – 14 Oldjoesaid (each way) @ 16/1 (William Hill)

5.10 Curragh – Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby – 10 Monterosso (win) @ 7/2 (Coral or Totesport)

World Cup last 16 – England v Germany to draw in 90 mins @ 11/5 (Bet365, Coral, Stan James or Totesport)