UK Horse Racing Tips: Curragh

It may pay to side with those with experience, with MR SATURDAY shading the vote. There was plenty of encouragement to be taken from Ger Lyons' colt when runner-up on his debut at Naas earlier in the month and he could have enough improvement in him to topple Unquestionable. The son of Wootton Bassett also made a pleasing start to his career with a third in the First Flier Stakes here, while his stablemate City Of Troy could fare best of the newcomers.
Prediction : 1st Mr Saturday 2nd Unquestionable 3rd City Of Troy

HIS MAJESTY and Valiant Force fought out the finish of the First Flier Stakes and it would come as no surprise to see a repeat in this contest, despite them tacking an additional furlong. Aidan O'Brien's youngster, who is a half-brother to winners over 6f and a mile, overcame his inexperience and created the impression that a deeper test of stamina is likely to suit. His stablemate Democracy won a maiden over C&D so also has to be respected, as do Noche Magica and Givemethebeatboys.
Prediction : 1st His Majesty 2nd Valiant Force 3rd Democracy

UK raiders have won four of the last 10 renewals of this contest and they may well do so again if GARRUS arrives in the same form as when scoring a shade cosily in the Abernant at Newmarket. Twilight Jet is a class act on his day and first time out might be the best time to catch him. Art Power likes it here and could surprise a few if he improves from his first start since being gelded.
Prediction : 1st Garrus 2nd Twilight Jet 3rd Art Power

Sionnach Eile (ninth) finished five-and-a-half lengths behind the reopposing MASHHOOR (winner) in handicap company at Cork last month and, though better off at the weights today, the latter is fancied to confirm that form. Johnny Murtagh's gelding produced a career-best performance that day, and with the potential for further improvement he looks well worth his place at this level. Ottilien hit the frame in the Prix de Royallieu at Longchamp last October and that form sets the standard, but it's possible she will want softer ground than anticipated here.
Prediction : 1st Mashhoor 2nd Sionnach Eile 3rd Ottilien

The progressive Paddington and Group 1 winner Proud And Regal look the pick of the domestic runners in a wide-open renewal but the UK raiders could hold sway given that the English 2000 Guineas second Hi Royal, third ROYAL SCOTSMAN and fourth Galeron all line up. A solid case could be made out for each of that trio, but particularly Royal Scotsman, who wouldn't have been best suited by soft ground at Newmarket and has been supplemented for this at a cost of 50,000 euros.
Prediction : 1st Royal Scotsman 2nd Galeron 3rd Paddington

This can go the way of FARNBOROUGH, who has been runner-up on each of his last three starts and should be well suited by dropping back in trip. A mark of 87 on his handicap debut looks manageable and he can see off the likes of stablemate Carracci and Red Letter Bray, who arrives here on a hat-trick. Completing the shortlist are the likes of Canute, Polar Bear and Tough Talk.
Prediction : 1st Farnborough 2nd Red Letter Bray 3rd Carracci

SMOOTH TOM had a few of these in arrears when running out a very impressive winner in a first-time visor at Leopardstown and a 10lb rise may not be enough to halt him, with scope for further progress and previous C&D-winning form in the book. A brace of facile victories suggests Brave Troop is improving rapidly and it would be no surprise to him go very close again. Casanova did the best of these in the Irish Lincolnshire and must be considered on the form of that close-up third.
Prediction : 1st Smooth Tom 2nd Brave Troop 3rd Casanova

An interesting contest but it is very hard to oppose UP AND UNDER, who has already proven himself at Group level this year. The son of Lope De Vega has hit the crossbar in the Ballysax and Derby Trial at Leopardstown and it will take a big performance to stop him here if anywhere near that level of form. Dawn Session and Voice Of Reason are others with valid form claims, while Catani Gardens and Great Cat Mau are newcomers to note.
Prediction : 1st Up And Under 2nd Dawn Session 3rd Voice Of Reason