UK Horse Racing Tips: Curragh

HANS ANDERSEN bumped into a useful rival when finishing second on his debut over an extended 7f at Tipperary last month. The son of Frankel looks sure to improve for that experience and he could be hard to beat if doing so. Young Ireland has a similar profile to the selection and plenty of encouragement can be taken from his third-placed finish on debut. Al Riffa, Cairo and Nation's Call are all newcomers who merit consideration.
Prediction : 1st Hans Andersen 2nd Young Ireland 3rd Cairo

With the form of his Windsor Castle win working out well, LITTLE BIG BEAR sets a high standard in this Group 3. The step up in trip is another plus and he can hand the master of Ballydoyle a 12th win in this event. Badb outrun her odds to finish an excellent second in the Airlie Stud Stakes here last month and she must go close if building on that effort. The same can also be said of Slan Abhaile, who looked smart when easily seeing off her rivals here on debut.
Prediction : 1st Little Big Bear 2nd Badb 3rd Slan Abhaile

Coumshingaun is certainly a filly on the up and she demands respect looking to make it three wins in a row, but ANDREAS VESALIUS edges the vote. Joseph O'Brien's gelding certainly hasn't been disgraced at Group level in the past and looked better than ever when touched off in a 6f handicap at Naas most recently. First-time cheekpieces could potentially bring about further improvement and he looks sure to mount a bold bid. Mr Wagyu, Nordic Passage and Big Gossey are others to note in a fiercely competitive event.
Prediction : 1st Andreas Vesalius 2nd Coumshingaun 3rd Mr Wagyu

CASTLE STAR boasts a strong level of juvenile form having ended his season with a career-best second in the Middle Park behind Perfect Power at Newmarket when not getting the clearest of runs. The colt has the potential for further improvement this campaign and he gets the vote to make a winning return to action. Last year's winner Mooneista (fourth) and Equilateral (fifth) both ran with plenty of credit in the King's Stand at Royal Ascot and the pair are likely to enter calculations, while first-time blinkers could make a difference to Last Crusader.
Prediction : 1st Castle Star 2nd Mooneista 3rd Equilateral

Magical Lagoon seemed to relish a stiffer stamina test on her latest outing when landing the Ribblesdale at Royal Ascot and seeks to extend her winning streak stepping up in grade. It is likely she has more to offer, but Cazoo Oaks runner-up EMILY UPJOHN shades the vote on this occasion. This daughter of Sea The Stars needs no introduction after that unlucky Epsom defeat, which followed her five-and-a-half-length victory in the Group 3 Musidora Stakes at York in May, and she could still have more to offer. Emily Dickinson is also capable of making her presence felt.
Prediction : 1st Emily Upjohn 2nd Magical Lagoon 3rd Emily Dickinson

The Gordon Elliott-trained Dartington has shown improved form when winning over hurdles on his last two starts and is a fascinating prospect back on the Flat. However, he may have to settle for minor honours behind the lightly-raced KAZAKDARIA, who shaped well when third in a competitive event here last month and has the services of the irrepressible Rachael Blackmore. Extensio caught the eye when a fast-finishing second at Leopardstown last time and should make a bold bid, while the unexposed Derry Lad, who offered plenty when third at Ballinrobe on his latest start, can also make his presence felt.
Prediction : 1st Kazakdaria 2nd Dartington 3rd Extensio

All Things Nice is the only previous winner in the field but that success came over a mile and as a half-sister to a 10-furlong winner, she might find this trip on the sharp side. Woodcock Flight ran well over a furlong further at Down Royal, while Tanaiyla's best form has come over shorter, so preference is for HOLDONFORDEARLIFE. Ken Condon's gelding was third behind a subsequent Listed winner on his penultimate start and was far from disgraced when staying on in midfield at Fairyhouse last time.
Prediction : 1st Holdonfordearlife 2nd All Things Nice 3rd Tanaiyla

Benitoite has arguably the strongest piece of form on offer from her second-placed finish here last season, while Spring Feeling was unfancied in the betting ring on debut but showed up well for third. Aidan O'Brien unleashes the regally-bred So Beautiful who cannot be ignored, but Joseph O'Brien could take this with LIVIA CELESTE. A good third here last year, she could come on for her reappearance over this trip at Listowel last time.
Prediction : 1st Livia Celeste 2nd Benitoite 3rd So Beautiful