UK Horse Racing Tips: Curragh

DALTON HIGHWAY makes plenty of appeal on his course-and-distance second in the Irish Cesarewitch last season and remains fairly treated, off this 2lb higher mark, with a subsequent victory over hurdles suggesting he's still on the up. Any money for Kaatskill Nap, who returns from a lengthy absence, would be interesting, with Willie Mullins strengthening his hand further with Zenon, who ran well over hurdles in the spring. Never Do Nothing is another to consider now returning from a spell over timber as he's unexposed as a stayer on the Flat, while fresh from an AW victory in February, Jerandme also merits consideration.
Prediction : 1st Dalton Highway 2nd Never Do Nothing 3rd Kaatskill Nap

With no form to go on at all the market will be a key guide, with the marginal preference for TASSEL FLOWER, who has a pedigree that suggests she could be useful this year. She is by top sire Kodiac, while her dam won over 6f and is a half-sister to the Group 3-winning juvenile Angel's Hideaway. Finest is an obvious threat having cost 250,000 euros and Aidan O'Brien's two-year-olds have been in great form this week. Others who merit consideration are Blue Cabochon, Dickiedooda and Royal Blend.
Prediction : 1st Tassel Flower 2nd Finest 3rd Dickiedooda

FLORENCE CAMILLE shaped with a fair amount of promise on her debut when third at Cork in August and Dermot Weld's filly makes plenty of appeal with the step up in distance likely to bring about improvement. Snow is capable of taking a big step forward as a three-year-old being a full-sister to Kew Gardens, while Thunder Kiss and Sagrada Familia appeal most of the newcomers as they are related to black-type performers.
Prediction : 1st Florence Camille 2nd Snow 3rd Thunder Kiss

BAHLWAN wasn't at his best at Dundalk last time, but his previous turf form was strong and this relatively big field should suit Denis Hogan's charge. The five-year-old might be one of the better handicapped horses in this race off 62, and appeals slightly more than Strong Johnson, who carries a big weight as a result of his consistency in 2019. Teddy Boy took 17 attempts to get off the mark but merits plenty of respect nonetheless.
Prediction : 1st Bahlwan 2nd Strong Johnson 3rd Teddy Boy

Joseph O'Brien has a strong hand with stable newcomer Verimli and King's Vow, who made it back-to-back-victories when getting the better of Kasperenko (second) last time. The former boasts a fine record from his time with Alan de Royer-Dupre and having just been touched off in a Listed race on his latest start in France, looks set for a bold bid here. However, a step up in trip could bring about further improvement from Jim Bolger's likeable filly MOTHER VINCENT, who finished last season with a three-timer, and she is narrowly preferred. The lightly-raced track-and-trip winner War Diary, Jon Ess and Tartlette are others to note.
Prediction : 1st Mother Vincent 2nd Verimli 3rd Kings Vow

LANCASTER HOUSE started his career with three successive victories for the Ballydoyle team, but a tilt at Group 2 company probably came soon enough for him in September and he just looked to find the experience too overbearing. These are slightly calmer waters and, with a few extra months on his back, the four-year-old is fancied to resume that earlier development. Speak In Colours shaped nicely when fourth at Riyadh in February, while Psychedelic Funk and Smash Williams could also prove dangerous.
Prediction : 1st Lancaster House 2nd Speak In Colours 3rd Psychedelic Funk

ALBIGNA sets the standard in this contest having scored in the Prix Marcel Boussac last October and she was not disgraced when not suited by the test of speed in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf. She may prove to be better over slightly further than this in time but the daughter of Zoffany still rates as the one to beat. The maiden So Wonderful should not be underestimated having run well in defeat on multiple occasions last year, including when in front of the selection in the Moyglare. The shortlist is completed by Fancy Blue and Peaceful.
Prediction : 1st Albigna 2nd So Wonderful 3rd Peaceful

MAGIC WAND is forced to concede weight to all of her rivals and must prove she has the gears for this assignment now dropping back in trip on her seasonal return. Nevertheless, her victory in the Mackinnon Stakes in November, which was followed up with two near misses at the top level in Hong Kong and America, suggests Aidan O'Brien's globetrotter is the one to beat. Silk Forest appears a filly on the upgrade and could put up most resistance, with Hamariyna and the dropped-in-trip Lady Wannabe others to consider in what could be a close battle for the minor money.
Prediction : 1st Magic Wand 2nd Silk Forest 3rd Hamariyna