Renaissance Stakes Tips & Betting Preview

Nine runners have been declared for the 6f Group 3 contest at the Curragh on Sunday. Read our full race preview for our experts’ betting tips.

IN SUMMARY: Jane’s Memory is a progressive filly who will be suited by the ground and comes here after a very creditable run in the Group 1 Sprint Cup at Haydock this month. However, it’s hard to get away from THE HAPPY PRINCE, who looked in excellent nick when winning a soft-ground conditions race over 6f this month and subsequently went close in a 7f Group 2 at the St Leger meeting at Doncaster. Flight Risk ought to be on the premises but seems to find it hard to get his head in front. La Rioja needs to get back on track but will be suited by the ground and has an each-way shout.

1 Gordon Lord Byron – Triple Group 1 winner in his prime and proved he’s still capable of very smart form when causing 16/1 surprise in 7f Group 2 here in July; will be fine over today’s trip but recent efforts have been rather disappointing and his 5lb penalty probably leaves him vulnerable.

2 Flight Risk – Versatile regarding trip/ground and generally been in good form this season, perhaps most notably when going very close in C&D Group 2 (yielding to soft) in March; probably won’t be far away but 2-26 strike-rate is poor for a horse of his ability.

3 Goken – Outran 50/1 odds when strong-finishing third in the Group 1 King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot (5f, soft) in June but has struggled to land any sort of blow at the highest level on last couple of outings (5f/6f); this race is easier but he still needs to up his game.

4 In Salutem – Has made good progress this season and landed a good-quality handicap at Ascot (5f, good to firm) last month; comfortably held (at level weights) when second to The Happy Prince at Navan (6f, soft) three weeks ago but subsequent fifth in 5f Group 2 here was very respectable.

5 The Happy Prince – Seemingly back in peak form this month and, after comfortable success in Navan conditions race (6f, soft), went very close in Group 2 event at Doncaster (7f, good); could prove very difficult to beat.

6 Fort Del Oro – Three-time Listed winner, once over C&D and most recently at Naas (6f, good) in July; slightly disappointing when fourth of seven in C&D Group 3 last month and today’s softish ground may not be ideal, but she still enters calculations.

7 Jane’s Memory – Displayed improvement to cause 20/1 surprise in Listed company at Haydock (6f, good to soft) in May and also gave very good account when sixth in the Group 1 Sprint Cup over that C&D (soft) this month; not yet fully exposed and a big player here.

8 Bebhinn – Lightly raced 3yo who was successful in Listed company at Fairyhouse (6f, good to yielding) a year ago; however, seen only once this season, when sixth of nine in C&D Listed event in June, and has a lot more to prove than some of these.

9 La Rioja – Group 3 winner on soft ground as a 2yo and was somewhere near that form when creditable fourth in the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot (6f, good to soft) in June; seems to have lost her way a bit since then but, with conditions suitable, is not ruled out here.

myracing Forecast Prices: 7/4 The Happy Prince, 11/2 Jane’s Memory, 7/1 Flight Risk, 8/1 Fort Del Oro, 12/1 Gordon Lord Byron, Goken, In Salutem, Bebhinn, La Rioja