Royal Ascot may be over for another year, but we’ve still got some fantastic racing to look forward to this weekend, including plenty of Group 1 action at the Curragh. I’ve picked out two fancies for Saturday’s racing, including a strong win bet over in Ireland, plus one who looks overpriced on the York card.
14:25 York – STARGAZED (10/1 Generally)
This looks a cracker of a race, with plenty of them taking each other on again, and it’s a race I think we can find some good value in. There’s one in the race I feel is wildly overpriced, and that’s STARGAZED.
Her seasonal reappearance was a great effort, finishing runner-up behind the reopposing Fortification over C&D in May, where she was giving the winner 6lbs that day. The selection is now 4lbs better off with that rival in here, which should be enough to reverse placings this time around. The third that day was Naana’s Shadow, who has since boosted the form by winning at Epsom next time out. Stargazed is also 4lbs better off with that rival compared to when finishing ahead of her over C&D in May.
Plenty of online bookmakers are offering four places on the race (SkyBet offering five), so she looks an excellent each-way bet. Karl Burke has his yard in fine form and I’m expecting Stargazed to run a cracker!
15:55 Curragh – THUNDERING ON (10/11 Generally)
The Pretty Polly Stakes has had some notable winners over the years, including Magical (2020), Bluestocking (2024) and most recently, Whirl (2025). It’s worth noting that the last six winners of this race were rated 110+, and there are only two in here with an official rating of 110 or more – Estrange and THUNDERING ON. Of the two, I simply have to be with the Epsom Oaks winner Thundering On.
After a quiet start to her career as a 2YO, she clearly progressed over the winter and ran out a decisive winner of the Group 3 Salsabil at Navan on her second start of 2026. However, it was her next run that really caught the eye, where she stormed to an ultra-impressive victory in the Epsom Oaks, where she tanked through the race and only needed to be shaken up to win going away.
Joseph O’Brien has won this race twice in the last seven years, including with Thundering Nights in 2021, who is the dam of Thundering On. With a proven winner of this race in her blood, it’s hard to see anything but another impressive win for the new superstar filly on the scene.
SATURDAY SELECTIONS
14:25 York – STARGAZED (10/1 generally)
15:55 Curragh – THUNDERING ON (10/11 Generally)
*Odds correct at time of posting – 11:25am Friday 26th June
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Please note that although Tom has uploaded the tips, he is not our Racing Club Insider – the insider will remain anonymous!
