Curragh Tips on July 19th - Two Group Twos covered on Sunday

Jon Vine

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Last updated: Sat 18 Jul 2026 12:51

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Jon Vine 18 Jul 2026

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Free tips for day two of the 2026 Irish Oaks meeting
Zodiac Bear backed to lead and win Minstrel Stakes
Al Riffa strongly fancied to defend Curragh Cup crown

Expired

Dylan Browne McMonagle riding Al Riffa win The Comer Group International Irish St. Leger at Curragh. (Getty)

Day two of the Irish Oaks meeting at the Curragh is headlined by two Group Two races, with strong fields declared for both the Minstrel Stakes and the Curragh Cup.

Here are our best betting tips for the two feature races at the Curragh on Sunday.

Curragh Tips on Sunday 19th July

3:15pm Curragh - Minstrel Stakes Tips

Power Blue won a Group One at this track last year and brings some strong Classic form into this Group Two. However, ZODIAC BEAR (4/1) is two from two on better ground and seemed to enjoy front-running tactics when winning here last month.

Johnny Murtagh's gelding won nicely on his second maiden outing last May, and did well on his first couple of starts this season, placing in two Group Threes after spending over a year off the track. Ben Coen then decided to take the bull by the horns in the Celebration Stakes, leading from pillar to post and holding some decent rivals at bay to claim a first Listed success.

Despite seeing out a mile well that day, Murtagh has fitted cheekpieces for this assignment. Coen will almost certainly look to lead again after being drawn on the rail in stall one, and Zodiac Bear would benefit most if this turned into a test of stamina.

4:25pm Curragh - Curragh Cup Tips

AL RIFFA (11/8) was superb in winning this race 12 months ago, scoring by an easy five lengths. Joseph O'Brien's star was even more impressive in the Irish St Leger, beating Amiloc comfortably before going on his travels.

O'Brien's stable star returned this season in the Prix Vicomtesse Vigier, finishing a close third behind Caballo De Mar. Dylan Browne McMonagle then held his mount up right at the back in the Ascot Gold Cup, but his late effort was only good enough for fourth as Scandinavia and Trawlerman fought out a thrilling finish.

While he stays two miles, this 14-furlong trip looks ideal for Al Riffa, especially if there's a strong pace from the outset, which looks likely with Dallas Star and Illinois in the field. O'Brien's six-year-old is the classiest horse in the line-up, and another emphatic victory would set him up perfectly for the defence of his Irish St Leger crown.

Verdict

Curragh Tips on July 19th

Sunday's Curragh Tips:

Al Riffa

4:25pm Curragh

@11/8 - 5 Units

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Zodiac Bear

3:15pm Curragh

@4/1 - 5 Units

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