UK Horse Racing Tips: Curragh

Aidan O'Brien has saddled the last eight winners of this contest and the master of Ballydoyle looks to hold a strong hand today with Gulf Of Mexico and CAIRO. The former is beautifully bred and cost 1,100,000gns as a yearling, so it would be disappointing if he doesn't run a big race, but experience could give his stablemate the edge. He was only beaten a head on his debut over 6f here three weeks ago and, likely to improve for this step up in trip, he should mount a bold bid. Naas runner-up Warrior Lion and Ger Lyons' newcomer Voice Of Reason add further spice to the race.
Prediction : 1st Cairo 2nd Gulf Of Mexico 3rd Warrior Lion

A strong case can be made for most of these but preference is for CAROLINE STREET, who was an impressive winner on her debut at Leopardstown last month. The daughter of No Nay Never is entitled to improve for that experience and she could be hard to beat if doing so. Shelton confirmed the promise that she displayed on debut when getting off the mark over 7f here three weeks ago and she should not be underestimated. Dame Kiri edges out Maybe Just Maybe and La Dolce Vita to be the pick of the remainder.
Prediction : 1st Caroline Street 2nd Shelton 3rd Dame Kiri

Narrowly denied in Listed company on her penultimate start here, TREASURE TROVE put it all together when destroying her rivals at York's Ebor Festival last week. Paddy Twomey's charge has been a model of consistency throughout this season and now seems to be the right time to go back up in trip. A determined winner at Naas last week, the well-bred Dower House must be respected for connections that have farmed this race in recent years, while Ocean Quest is another open to improvement following a strong placed effort in the Ballyhane Stakes.
Prediction : 1st Treasure Trove 2nd Dower House 3rd Ocean Quest

KING OF BAVARIA looked a colt going places when scoring on both starts as a juvenile at Naas. Things haven't gone to plan in Listed company this season, including when last seen at York's Dante meeting, but the return to handicap company represents the ideal opportunity for him to bounce back. Najat makes her debut for new connections and she is likely to enter calculations along with Yermanthere, who may appreciate the drop to 6f for the first time in his career.
Prediction : 1st King Of Bavaria 2nd Najat 3rd Yermanthere

In a small, yet competitive, field, marginal preference is for the Ger Lyons-trained JUNCTURE, who arrives in this following an eye-catching run in the Group 3 Desmond Stakes at Leopardstown earlier this month. She kept on well for second over 1m on that occasion, so a stiffer stamina test could well go in her favour in this. An obvious threat comes in the form of the grade-dropping Seisai, while Viareggio is another to note.
Prediction : 1st Juncture 2nd Seisai 3rd Viareggio

A typically wide-open Cambridgeshire, in which a tentative vote goes to SALTONSTALL. Fourth in this last year, Adrian McGuinness' eight-year-old returns to race from an 8lb lower mark and providing stall one doesn't prove to be a hindrance, he's a major player. Fastnet Crown and Star Harbour sandwiched the selection last year and both hold solid claims this afternoon. Cowboy Justice, Good Heavens and Janoobi remain unexposed and need taking seriously, along with recent C&D scorer Celtic Crown. No More Porter likes it here and he might reward each-way backers.
Prediction : 1st Saltonstall 2nd Fastnet Crown 3rd Cowboy Justice

Such is the competitive nature of this handicap, there are plenty of chances in this field, but ONE SWEET DAY gets the nod. The four-year-old was a good second last time out over 6f at this venue and she shaped as if the step up to 7f could be the perfect tonic. She runs off the same mark today, plus Jake Coen claims a valuable 2lb. Ducky Mallon is likely to be her biggest danger after winning last time, but he has been raised 7lb for that success. Sadiqaa completes the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st One Sweet Day 2nd Ducky Mallon 3rd Sadiqaa

A case can be made for several of these, but the Joseph O'Brien-trained KARAOKE built on a pleasing racecourse debut to score on the all-weather on her most recent run. She should have a say in proceedings once more, but Hasten Slowly has recently been successful at this distance and seems a big threat. First-time blinkers helped Palace Gardens shed her maiden tag earlier this month and she is another worthy of consideration.
Prediction : 1st Karaoke 2nd Hasten Slowly 3rd Palace Gardens