Excelebration makes Ireland debut at the Curragh this Sunday

EXCELEBRATION, formerly trained by Marco Botti in Newmarket and now in the care of Aidan O’Brien, is the no. 1 attraction at the Curragh this Sunday, 22nd April, when the son of Exceed And Excel makes his Irish debut in the Group 3 Big Bad Bob Gladness Stakes, writes TOMMY CALLAGHAN.

EXCELEBRATION, formerly trained by Marco Botti in Newmarket and now in the care of Aidan O’Brien, is the no. 1 attraction at the Curragh this Sunday, 22nd April, when the son of Exceed And Excel makes his Irish debut in the Group 3 Big Bad Bob Gladness Stakes, writes TOMMY CALLAGHAN.

Excelebration was rated one of the top milers in the world last season and twice finished runner-up to the outstanding Frankel.

He is reported to be in good shape ahead of Sunday’s race when he will face five rivals including the British trained Beacon Lodge, Kargali winner of the race in 2010 and the Dermot Weld trained Croisultan

Leading Classic race contender, Nephite, makes his seasonal debut when he heads the eight runners in the Listed Anne Brewster Memorial Loughbrown Stakes and will face notable runners including Tough As Nails, Coolnagree and Caonach,

Recent Group 3 race winner Chrysanthemium returns to ‘Headquarters’ in the Run Kildare 13th May Alleged Stakes. The David Wachman trained filly will face six rivals in the 10 furlong contest.

1st race at the Curragh on Sunday is 2.20pm Admission €15 Under 15s and Seniors €8 Under 16s free. Dublin Coach service to the races (see www.dublincoach.ie) and free shuttle bus from Kildare Town Train Station