Can Galway Hurdle hero Nurburgring complete audacious double in Irish Cesarewitch?

Nurburgring seems the sensible place to start in the 2m1f Irish Cesarewitch given the sparkling form he's been in this season, headlined by an electric display in the Galway Hurdle on his penultimate start.

His latest run at Leopardstown was a hugely eyecatching effort which tees him up nicely for a crack at this huge pot. Turning for home, he had just three rivals behind him in a 22-runner field but he steadily ploughed on in the straight to finish fourth, beaten eight and a half lengths.

Furthermore, that doesn't tell the whole story as the winner, Fighter, made every post a winning one and Nurburgring was one of the few in the field to make any impact from off the pace.

The trip is an unknown but he showed himself to be a very strong stayer at this distance over hurdles last season, typically shaping as if he would get further in that sphere, so it shouldn't be an issue. He pitches up off the same mark for last year's winning trainer Joseph O'Brien and it's hard to poke holes in him.

O'Brien saddles seven and they all have claims, but last year's third Dawn Rising is particularly interesting. He's just a pound higher this time around and loves these types of races, best evidenced by his victory in the Queen Alexandra last season, and he has prepared well with a good third in that race in June.

Magellan Strait returns to the scene of his shock 150-1 triumph last season off a 4lb higher mark, having plied his trade over hurdles recently where he's been placed on all three starts. He's not the easiest horse to predict but is clearly capable.

Magellan Strait: winner of last year's Irish CesarewitchCredit: Caroline Norris

Comfort Zone shaped well when third over hurdles at Galway on his penultimate start and ran a very encouraging race on the Flat last season when chasing home Satin in the Petingo Handicap. He disappointed in that same race last time out but he will enjoy this trip and won't mind any rain. He's a big each-way player if things fall right for him and is definitely capable off his mark.

The Euphrates makes his handicap debut for Aidan O'Brien with Ryan Moore on board, and arrives in excellent shape after being beaten by Kyprios into fourth in the Irish St Leger last time out. He should have no problem with this trip and could easily have a bit in hand off a mark of 105 but will likely have to do it the hard way from the front.

Gavin Cromwell saddles two, with Sixandahalf an interesting contender having landed a handicap at Newmarket last time in good style. She has a big engine, but rain might not suit.

My Mate Mozzie travelled like a dream before fading into fifth in last year's race. He's been in excellent form lately, finishing third in the Copper Horse Handicap at Royal Ascot before filling the same spot in the Galway Hurdle and a respectable ninth in the Ebor. He's a very solid proposition in these types of races and has a big chance provided his stamina holds out.

The each-way shout is Enniskerry for Barry Connell. He defeated Sixandahalf in good style at Listowel in June before finishing third at Bellewstown when the drop in trip and sedate pace held him back. He was beaten two and a quarter lengths that day and the form has worked out remarkably well, with the runner-up Samui bolting up by 17 lengths next time out, while the winner Eagle's Way landed the Guinness Handicap at Galway.

He finished tenth of 20 at Galway last time out but had a poor draw and was too keen having got no cover as a result. He has a big chance if settling over this trip and has been dropped 3lb for his latest run despite running quite well. He has a horrendous draw again in 33 but he's worth a shot at 16-1 as he would have a cracking chance if he can get in and settle.

Going update

The ground is currently good to yielding, yielding in places on the straight course and good, good to yielding in places on the round track after a dry 24 hours from Friday into Saturday. However, there is heavy rain set to hit the Curragh on Sunday, with a possibility of 15mm according to Met Eireann meaning the ground is likely to ease considerably.

What they say

Joseph O'Brien, trainer of Dawn Rising, A Piece Of Heaven, Derida, Magellan Strait, Prairie Dancer, Nurburgring, Comfort Zone
Dylan [Browne McMonagle] rides Nurburgring. He ran well when fourth at Leopardstown and has been in good form since. Comfort Zone didn't run as well as we would have hoped at Leopardstown but the ground was probably a bit quick for him. He tries blinkers and hopefully has a chance. Derida didn't run badly at Galway. She has to improve but she'll love the step up in trip. Prairie Dancer won a beginners' chase at Downpatrick and has been in good form since. Hopefully he can pick up some prize-money, he has been a great horse for connections. A Piece Of Heaven has a chance but I'm not sure about soft ground for him. Dawn Rising was third in it last year and ran well at Ascot last time so has a chance, while last year's winner Magellan Strait has been running well over hurdles so arrives in good form.

Harry Eustace, trainer of Divine Comedy
She’s done really well at home off the back of her last run. They’ve had a bit of rain at the Curragh and that’s definitely going to suit her. There’s more to come too, so you’d hope good-to-soft is the quickest it would be. I think the track will really suit her too, as it’s a very fair, galloping course that I hope will bring out the best in her.

Jessica Harrington, trainer of Taipan
He won't mind any rain. He's been in great form this season and he's drawn wide, but for him that isn't necessarily a bad thing.

Paddy Twomey, trainer of Countess Of Tyrone
We've had this race in mind for her for quite a while and we think it will suit her. She's trained well for it and we're putting a pair of cheekpieces on her for the first time. We're hopeful of a good run.

Paddy Twomey: trainer was among the buyers at Book 1 on Tuesday

Paddy Twomey: runs Countess Of Tyrone in the Irish CesarewitchCredit: Patrick McCann

Aidan O'Brien, trainer of The Euphrates
We were very happy with how he ran in the Irish St Leger the last day. It's a step up in trip for him in a handicap so we'll see, but he's in good form.

Hugo Palmer, trainer of Zoffee
It should be quite nice ground and he's in great order. I think that stiff two and a bit miles is super for him. It's a big field so they should go a good gallop and we're excited about giving it a go.

Read these next:

'The softer the better for him' - connections of British raider Spycatcher hope forecast rain arrives

Moores seek unique Derby double and Ralph's Beckett's eyecatching stat - Sunday's punting pearls