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Saturday horse racing tips: Johnny Ward has three including in the Irish Oaks
By Johnny Ward
Last Updated: Fri 17 Jul 2026
Irish racing expert Johnny Ward has a selection for Saturday's Irish Oaks, as well as two big-priced fancies in two of the sprints. Watch every race live on Racing TV.
It's a busy day on the channel if you're not racing and feel inclined to escape the heat on the couch.
The Irish attack the Betway Summer Plate with a strong team at Market Rasen, and I am greatly looking forward to the Curragh.Here are three at Flat headquarters.
2.50 Curragh: City House
This horse's Habitat run behind Headmaster could be the key to this – he looked very unlucky not to get involved.
He shapes as though this trip could be perfect but he definitely needs a good pace I feel.
There's no doubt he can get involved if he gets that for a trainer greatly respected in this type of race.
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4.00 Curragh: Switching Sides
None of the shorter-price horses here look stars and the 14-1 about Jessica Harrington's runner is worth taking.
He had a slightly messy passage at Fairyhouse but looked smart, and it is notable how well-regarded the third, Trean is, as the Paddy Twomey-trained sprinter was sent off 13-8 on his next start at the Curragh despite taking on Abraham Lincoln.
By a reliable sire in Kodiac, Switching Sides should run a very respectable race at worst and perhaps improve enough to win.
4.35 Curragh: Thundering On
Outrageously impressive at Epsom, she was 11-10 despite dropping to ten furlongs and taking on the older horses in the Pretty Polly, a run that was better than implied by the bookmakers' reaction here, offering 5-2.
One bookmaker is even betting four places and I can't see how she is not in the first four unless she flops.
Sparan Nua might be a shade big at 10s, too.
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