Curragh Irish Derby Festival Sunday tips: Best bets on day 3, June 30

James Fanshawe's Epsom second Ambiente Friendly is favourite to go one better, though Aidan O'Brien has a four-strong team in his quest for a 16th Irish Derby win.

They race at the Curragh from 13:10-17:50 on a whopping nine-race offering and Enda McElhinney once more has race-by-race picks for Planet Sport readers on Derby Day in Ireland.

Don't forget to check out the full racecard, results and live odds in Planet Sport's racing live centre.

Good luck and please gamble responsibly.

(Please be aware selections could become non-runners after article's first publication)

 

Curragh Sunday selections in full:

13:10 (Curragh) Thor's Hammer

13:40 (Curragh) Arizona Blaze

14:15 (Curragh) My Mate Alfie

14:50 (Curragh) Sturlasson

15:25 (Curragh) Azada

16:05 (Curragh) Ambiente Friendly

16:40 (Curragh) No More Porter

17:15 (Curragh) Gunzburg

17:50 (Curragh) Intellotto

13:10 (Curragh) Thor's Hammer

Lightly-raced Harzand gelding Sharinay went close at Naas on handicap bow last month over a mile and could have more to offer but Johnny Murtagh would love nothing more than to put Hall Of Famer John Velazquez on a winner on Derby Day at the Curragh and Thor's Hammer could be one.

The Night Of Thunder colt is consistent and should have his tail up after winning a Killarney maiden last month.

An opening mark of 85 is fair and he should improve on quicker ground.

 

13:40 (Curragh) Arizona Blaze

Arizona Blaze was third in the Norfolk at Royal Ascot 10 days ago, beaten a length-and-a-quarter but overturning previous form with Whistlejacket.

That effort can be marked up as David Egan's partner ran a solo up the nearside running rail, beat those in the group nearest to him, and had no chance with first two home as they raced wide apart from him.

Already a Group 3 winner over C&D, returning to this trip should be optimal.

 

14:15 (Curragh) My Mate Alfie

Commanche Falls sets the standard but Michael Dods' raider concedes 5lb and more to the field in his bid to repeat the 2023 success he had in this contest.

He's yet to win this season but My Mate Alfie has been running consistently well amongst his peer-group.

Ger Lyons and Colin Keane will hope he can take advantage of these terms against older rivals.

 

14:50 (Curragh) Sturlasson

A top prize of €60,000 on offer for a typically strong renewal of the Rockingham Handicap over the flying five-furlongs.

Little Queenie and Amazon Lady arrive in fine fettle but Sturlasson backed up his Navan maiden success with a cracking second in the 3YO Dash at Epsom at the start of this month, with that form advertised since by the winner going close at Royal Ascot in a deep field from 6lb higher.

Kieran Cotter's charge is only up 3lb now and he has retained Oisin Murphy's services.

 

15:25 (Curragh) Azada

Dermot Weld won't have lost too much heart from seeing Azada fade to sixth in last month's Irish 1000 Guineas over C&D.

That was just the second start of her career and the Siyouni filly was returning 218 days off.

This is a lesser ask both on paper and on the make-up of the field and Chris Hayes' partner should step forward for that comeback run five weeks ago. She makes plenty of appeal in this company.

 

16:05 (Curragh) Ambiente Friendly

The feature is of course the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby itself, where Aidan O'Brien saddles four in a bid to win this race for the 16th time.

The Ballydoyle supremo may be forced into a supporting role, however, as Ambiente Friendly was clear of the rest, including having over three-lengths to spare on Los Angeles, when second at Epsom four weeks ago in the Derby.

He couldn't handle City Of Troy that afternoon but was clearly second-best and some not-inconsiderable compensation awaits for James Fanshawe and Robert Havlin now.

 

16:40 (Curragh) No More Porter

No More Porter ran a fine race when fifth in the Irish Lincolnshire over C&D in March 2023, his first outing for Ado McGuinness and first start in 195 days at the time.

He was very consistent in a dozen more starts last season after that, but couldn't get his head in front. He is 3lb below that mark he started on for this yard now and is likely to be trained to the minute for this comeback run.

 

17:15 (Curragh) Gunzburg

Kayhana is a contender for Dermot Weld on form but preference is for Gavin Cromwell's runner Gunzburg.

The Sioux Nation filly has mostly operated at sprinting trips in her eight-race career but she caught the eye here last month on her first go at 7f, staying on from the rear to finish a never-nearer one-length fourth at the line.

She was nudged up the bare minimum for that and may have more to give at this distance.

 

17:50 (Curragh) Intellotto

Another €60,000 payout in the finale, the 1m4f Ragusa Handicap, which features a field of 12 contenders.

Jessica Harrington's Saturn is 2-3 this season and should shape well down in trip after scoring over 1m6f here at the start of the month. He's rated 4lb higher.

Intellotto showed plenty promise over timber for Joseph O'Brien in the season just gone and then won a 1m2f Sligo maiden last month back on the level.

A strongly run race over this longer trip should suit Dylan McMonagle's partner.