Tim Carroll 's Bio

Tim started off as a jockey in Australia before pursuing a media career. He is a highly experienced and respected racing presenter who has been based in England since 2005. Tim has travelled the world covering many of the major meetings, including Royal Ascot, The Epsom Derby, The International meeting from Sha Tin, The Dubai World Cup, The Everest, The Saudi Cup and The Breeders. He is currently a presenter for Sky Sports Racing, specialising in both the local and international scene. Tim is a regular contributor to the At The Races Website where his twice weekly tipping column on Hong Kong racing has gathered a strong following.

Curragh Racecourse – Track Analysis (Irish Derby Day)

Curragh racecourse, which is commonly referred to as ‘The Curragh’ - simply ‘The Place of the Running Horse’ in Gaelic - is a horseshoe shaped, right-handed course. With no sharp bends, it is generally a galloping track that nonetheless features a number of undulations throughout, in particular the 600m homestretch that races slightly uphill all the way. There are several starting points on the horseshoe courses up to 3200m, whilst the straight course, which has a chute on the bottom right hand side of the track that joins the main straight, has starting points from 1000m to 1600m.

The Irish Derby Day see’s nine turf races for coverage.

For both 1200m G2 Railway Stakes and the Listed Belgrave Stakes, they start from the chute that joins the main straight. On the straight track they will mostly look to come down the centre or grandstand side, as there is a gradual camber from the stand side to the far side, meaning the stand side is usually a tad drier, thus high draws are preferred. Horses can win from anywhere, but those that go too quickly on the front will usually be found out over the concluding stages.

For the 1000m Rockingham Handicap, it sounds the obvious thing to say, but the 1000m start has the same characteristics as the 1200m start, in that they join the main straight after 400m, and high draws are preferred, as they will mostly look to come down the grandstand side and the centre.

For the 1400m Summer Fillies Handicap, it runs on the straight course, although there is a slight bend not long after they leave the stalls, but as its one of the widest parts of the track, it has very little impact. Again, the characteristics are similar to the 1200m start. However, the stalls are usually placed in the middle of the track, and they do have several different positions for the running rail. Thus, if the rail is toward the grandstand side, then high draws aren’t seen as disadvantageous, but riders will prefer a low draw when the rail is placed toward the far side. But just to add further complication, if the ground is soft, then riders will look to go to the high side where the drier ground is usually found, thus a high draw is seen as an advantage.

The 1600m Derby Festival Handicap starts from the 1600m chute, which is precisely the Guineas trip. Often referred to as a straight mile, it is nevertheless a misnomer, as a massive, gradual, right-handed dog-leg presents itself some 300m after the break, eventually funneling the field back into the straight. Thus, it is tantamount for both stalkers and deep closers to fetch cover early, especially in bigger fields, as it is almost impossible to cut the breeze and win it every step of the way, especially on days when fields are racing into a strong head-wind.

Another race which also run over 1600m is Celebration Stakes. This race starts from the New Course. They jump out and go approximately 300m before meeting a big gradual sweeping bend that eventually leads into the straight. It is important, especially in bigger fields that those who don’t look to lead find some cover, as it’s hard to cut the breeze and win, especially on days when there is some wind about. The Maddenstown Handicap over 1800m is similar, while they jump and go approximately 400n before meeting a big gradual sweeping slightly uphill bend that eventually leads into the straight.

Both G1 Irish Derby and the Ragusa Handicap are run over 2400m. The Derby is run on the course that bares its name, The Derby Course. Although it is a 2400m race, barriers can be important as they are constantly turning until they meet the straight. Whilst none of these bends are tight, there is a preference for a low draw in fields that are medium to large, especially for horses that like to sit handy. Like most races on the round course, horses can win from anywhere, but the uphill rise does tend to catch them out if they are ridden aggressively. The barrier draw has had little impact on the Derby, as it’s a race that rarely draws a large field. Aiden O’Brien has dominated the race in recent times, recording fifteen wins since 1997.

Last year’s Irish Derby was run on Good ground with a field of nine going to post. On leaving the stalls ADELAIDE RIVER took up the running to lead from SAN ANTONIO with AUGUSTE RODIN, parked behind his two stable companions in a forward position, whilst WHITE BIRCH, was waited with toward the rear. There was no change through the early stages, with the race run at an honest gallop. Unfortunately, SAN ANTONIO went wrong nearing the 800m mark, and in the process unseated his rider. AUGUSTE RODIN cruised up on the outside of ADELAIDE RIVER approaching the 600m mark to lay down the gauntlet, whilst COVENT GARDEN moved in third. As they approached the 500m mark AUGUSTE RODIN got half a length in front, but ADELAIDE RIVER continued to find for pressure on his inside with the pair drawing clear to settle down to fight it out and it wasn’t until the last little bit that AUGUSTE RODIN got on top, winning by a-length-and-a-half from a brave ADELAIDE RIVER, whilst COVENT GARDEN was back in third in a time that was 0.24 seconds slower than standard. 

The weather forecast for Curragh during the week leading up to race day is mostly fine with only a minimal chance of light showers. Given the forecast, chances are that will run on ground with Good this year.

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