Curragh 5:45 Result

This is a typical 22-runner Curragh handicap sprint-cavalry charge over 1m2f, so I want a horse on a genuine upward trajectory, with a big weight-for-class edge and a stable/jockey booking screaming confidence. Alphonsus Liguori fits perfectly: lightly raced 3yo colt for the powerful Joseph O'Brien yard, carrying only 121lbs off an OR of 90 - very light in a race full of older, more exposed 90-100+ rated types. His form figures 211 are exceptional - two wins and a placed effort last time, clearly progressive and unexposed. Being by Study Of Man out of a Galileo mare gives him middle-distance pedigree that should only get better with a step up in trip/experience. Crucially, he's trained by the same yard that also has Sky Captain and Summer Is Tomorrow in this race, and the choice to run three horses suggests genuine confidence in this JP O'Brien string; Alphonsus Liguori looks the least exposed and most attractive of the trio given his big weight concession. Declan McDonogh takes over which is a positive senior jockey booking for a improving type. Rivals like Summer Is Tomorrow and Amadeus Mozart carry big weights (133/131lbs) which is a significant task in a cavalry-charge handicap, while older, more exposed sorts like Fixation, Eastwatch and High Degree have flattered to deceive in giant fields previously. Alphonsus Liguori's placing in the draw (1) is workable, and with a treble-figure profile of consistent improvement, he looks the type to be temporarily under the radar in a huge field, making him a solid value using-form selection rather than just following the favourite.