Angus McNae: Sunday horse racing tips for the Curragh and Cartmel

2.10 Curragh: Statuette

This Group 2 Airlie Stud Stakes can go to Aidan O Brien and Ryan Moore.

Statuette looked a really good prospect when winning on her debut at Navan late in May, forging clear to win by three lengths with the promise of much more to come. The runner-up Olivia Maralda subsequently ran well when beaten five and half lengths by Dramatised in the Queen Mary at Royal Ascot.

Statuette's timefigure at Navan was very good for a debutante, suggesting that she has started her career as a pattern race performer even without any previous experience. I rate her as my best bet of the day.

2.20 Cartmel: Alqamar

He is unbeaten in three starts at Cartmel and, back at his favoured venue, can regain the winning thread here.

Alqamar racked up a four-timer last year, with three of those wins at this track, and now he has dropped to his last winning mark of 129. He failed to stay two and a half miles at Aintree last time out and returns to his best trip of 2m1f as well as his favoured track.

This is a very competitive contest, but Alqamar's track-craft and the help of Charlotte Jones - who has ridden him all nine times that he has run for James Moffat - means he should make a bold bid to win here yet again.

3.10 Curragh: Erosandpsyche

Trainer Paddy Twomey has a 37% strike rate this year and can take this fiercely competitive sprint with a horse having just his second start for the yard.

Erosandpsyche was a good third here at the Curragh over six furlongs on stable debut last month, seeing the trip out well enough. He is dropped back to his favoured five furlongs and he will sport a first-time visor which could spark him into an even better performance than last time.

I believe Erosandpsyche is likely to improve again for this red-hot yard and he take this valuable prize.

3.45 Curragh: My Astra

William Haggas sends this filly in pursuit of Group One glory and, while this is a big ask on the face of it, such was the impression she created in victory last time that I think she can take the step up in grade with ease.

My Astra won by 12 lengths at Ayr in a fast time, and quite simply you rarely see a horse destroy a field of Listed class performers in the manner that she did. This is a good renewal of this race, but there is a chance that she could be a very special filly.