Curragh Tips on July 18th - Four races covered on Irish Oaks day

Jon Vine

Editor

Last updated: Fri 17 Jul 2026 13:59

Jon Vine 1 hour ago

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One Look is tipped to win the Meadow Court Stakes again
Havana Anna is the pick for the Sapphire Stakes return to 5f
Celeron offers each-way value in the GAIN Railway Stakes

The Curragh racecourse. (Getty)

A strong card takes place at the Curragh on Saturday, with three pattern races leading up to the 2026 renewal of the Irish Oaks.

Here are our best betting tips for the four top races at the Curragh on Saturday.

Curragh Tips on Saturday 18th July

2:15pm Curragh - Meadow Court Stakes Tips

Following an excellent effort in the Pretty Polly Stakes, ONE LOOK (Evens) is almost impossible to oppose at the head of the market.

Paddy Twomey's mare was held up at the rear in that Group One and hit traffic as she attempted to make her challenge. Once she found daylight, One Look stayed on past the weakening favourite, Thundering On, and got to within a length and a half of Estrange as David O'Meara's raider claimed a breakthrough Group One success.

One Look ran out an easy winner of this Group Three 12 months ago, and I'd be surprised if she didn't retain her crown. Her stablemate Moody is worth watching, as she's entered in the Ebor and this run over ten furlongs should sharpen her up for that lucrative staying handicap.

3:25pm Curragh - Sapphire Stakes Tips

Five of the last eight runnings of this Group Two have been won by three-year-olds, and I'm keen to back HAVANA ANNA (9/2) as she drops back to the minimum trip.

Donnacha O'Brien's filly is two from two over the minimum distance on home soil, and clocked an excellent time when landing the Marwell Stakes at Naas last season. Havana Anna proved her versatility when pushing True Love close in the Cheveley Park Stakes, but didn't get the rub of the green when finishing last of the 12 runners in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint.

Gavin Ryan's mount returned with a hard-fought victory in the Lacken Stakes at Naas, and shaped well when fourth in the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot. Havana Anna has been drawn nicely as she returns to five furlongs today, and there's every chance Donnacha O'Brien's speedy filly has more to offer over this shorter distance.

4:00pm Curragh - GAIN Railway Stakes Tips

Despite failing to justify short prices on his last two starts, Confucius still heads the market for this Group Two. I'd rather take an each-way chance on CELERON (12/1), who I backed in the Windsor Castle Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Mick O'Callaghan's youngster was impressive when winning a competitive maiden at the Curragh in June. Celeron lined up at Royal Ascot just two weeks later, but was slowly away on the wrong side of the track and never managed to work his way into contention.

I'm more than happy to put a line through that defeat, and Oisin Murphy takes the ride on Celeron this Saturday. Murphy rode a winner for the stable at Killarney earlier in the week, and this talented colt has more than just an outside chance.