Bets Of The Day: Count on Godolphin's Cross at the Curragh

No doubting Thomas claims at big odds

13:20 Curragh - Back Sirjack Thomas each-way @ 20/1 Sportsbook price

We start Sunday's BOTD with the opener at the Curragh on day two of Irish Champions Weekend. We can anticipate another stellar line-up, and there's a superb mix to the afternoon. Hopefully we can get off to a good start with Sirjack Thomas - who can be backed at a whopping 20/1 on the Sportsbook.

He was beaten last week at the Listowel festival, but I am more interested in his run at the Curragh previously in the Irish Cambridgeshire. He was part of the near-side group in that race and wasn't beaten too far after meeting a bit of trouble. That looked a hot handicap with some decent horses around him.

The Ado McGuinness charge has mostly been campaigned over further than today's 6f trip, but they'll go a good pace here and that should suit his run style. I don't see the distance as a negative at all, as he landed a race comfortably at Sligo over an extended five earlier in the season.

Ideally he could do with a bit of rain for optimum conditions, but he does have enough form on good ground for us not to worry too much. From 88, there's one of these big prizes in him.

This is also an Extra Place Special race on the Sportsbook.

Melbourne Cup hero can gain big prize for Appleby

16:10 Curragh - Back Cross Counter @ BSP

Between father and son Aidan and Joseph O'Brien, the pair account for seven of the ten runners in this year's Irish St Leger. However, I am banking on the prize to be wrestled away from the home team with Godolphin's Cross Counter.

Yes, he is the favourite, and was 9/4 to back on the Sportsbook last night, but I see him as the likeliest winner following two terrific runs over staying trips this term and he can gain compensation.

Last time out, the tactics were more forceful against Stradivarius in the Goodwood Cup, the great stayer who was ahead of him again at Ascot in the Gold Cup. That was the most interesting run, as he came from a long way back from a crawl of a gallop. He ended up very wide off the turn for home under James Doyle but still travelled superbly. At one stage he was held, but got a second wind and picked up again.

That was in soft conditions, and whilst he acted on that ground, he'll be much better on a sounder surface.

As a Melbourne Cup winner, the 1m6f for today could be his perfect distance.

*Click here for more exclusive news ahead of Irish Champions Weekend on Sunday