UK Horse Racing Tips: Curragh

OCEAN BAROQUE offered plenty of encouragement when filling the runner-up spot over C&D on his racecourse bow earlier this month and the now-gelded son of Caravaggio must hold every chance of building on that. Jakajaro will be worth monitoring closely in the market, having recorded a staying-on sixth over 5f at Cork on his debut, along with Joseph O'Brien's newcomer Absolute Advantage. Others worthy of consideration include Velvet Skies and Nemonte.
Prediction : 1st Ocean Baroque 2nd Jakajaro 3rd Absolute Advantage

MACHNAMH ran her best race to date when weakening into fourth over a mile at Naas earlier in the month and Jim Bolger's filly could gain a breakthrough success now dropped in distance. Danvers Gold offered plenty of encouragement on her third-placed debut here last June and the daughter of Galileo is feared most. Roaming Star often goes well and is respected, while newcomers Nelda and Ostraka require market checks.
Prediction : 1st Machnamh 2nd Danvers Gold 3rd Roaming Star

Bellaphina surprised a few when winning a Limerick maiden in comprehensive style last month, giving the impression this extra furlong could bring out further improvement. However, the vote goes to the hat-trick seeking SNOWCAPPED, who was a most impressive scorer over 7f here earlier this month and can defy the 11lb rise she received for that success. Tea Olive is another who makes appeal having performed well on all three starts so far this season.
Prediction : 1st Snowcapped 2nd Bellaphina 3rd Tea Olive

SUBZERO was a clear second behind a progressive type, who has since come out and franked the form in Listed company, last time out over 7f at Leopardstown, and a repeat of that effort would make him very tough to beat. The Franchise is fancied to pose the biggest threat based on the form of his racecourse debut third last August over C&D. Beyond The Steps heads the remainder.
Prediction : 1st Subzero 2nd The Franchise 3rd Beyond The Steps

SHE'S IN THE GAME returned from a break to strike at Dundalk and now goes off an 11lb higher mark. Considering the manner of that victory, the daughter of Starspangledbanner is fancied to make it three out of her last three to continue on her upward curve. The main threat might be Miramis, who steps back down in distance after a solid third at Gowran Park and is just 1lb higher. Touching Clouds completes the shortlist on her handicap bow.
Prediction : 1st Shes In The Game 2nd Miramis 3rd Touching Clouds

Dunum continues to go from strength to strength and was a clear-cut winner on his Limerick return, while Earls burst back into life when denying All Lies Ahead at Cork. Joseph O'Brien holds a strong hand and while there is no denying Gambe Veloci was impressive when breaking through at Limerick, a chance is taken on his returning stablemate POINT GELLIBRAND, who has been set some stiff assignments. Tosen Wish, a former inmate of O'Brien's, caught the eye when fifth in Earls' Cork race.
Prediction : 1st Point Gellibrand 2nd Dunum 3rd Earls

A fiendishly difficult race to unpick in which many would appear to hold chances, so only a tentative vote can go to the form horse DANDYVILLE. Natalia Lupini's charge racked up a brace of successes at Dundalk in November before returning with a decisive victory at Naas, so a subsequent 10lb rise might not be enough to stop him from completing the four-timer. Others to note include Hurricane Ivor, Tawaazon, Jon Riggens and last year's runner up Mickey The Steel.
Prediction : 1st Dandyville 2nd Hurricane Ivor 3rd Tawaazon

In a competitive handicap A Shin Undine may prove popular after winning off a 7lb lower mark at Gowran Park. She can go well over this reduced trip, but preference is for FACETHEPUCKOUT, who was unlucky in running before coming home third at Naas and races off just a pound higher here. Others worthy of a place on the shortlist are Secret Spy and Helpmeout.
Prediction : 1st Facethepuckout 2nd A Shin Undine 3rd Secret Spy