UK Horse Racing Tips: Curragh

Aidan O'Brien has hit the ground running with his juveniles this season and though blinkered ahead of her debut, Matrika merits the utmost respect. Back Down Under finished a good third on her introduction at Naas and is likely to take a step forward with that experience under her belt, but preference is for GUNZBURG. The 160,000-pounds daughter of Sioux Nation represents an in-form yard and should have the speed to cope with this trip on her racecourse bow.
Prediction : 1st Gunzburg 2nd Matrika 3rd Back Down Under

QUEEN'S PARDON was denied by under a length last time at Navan and she was a long way clear of the third. She has been put up 8lb for that effort, which may not be enough to prevent her from going one place better. The main threat might be Craft Irish, who showed improved form with the application of first-time blinkers on her latest outing. Others to consider are Marsa and Wave Machine.
Prediction : 1st Queens Pardon 2nd Craft Irish 3rd Marsa

BAY BRIDGE was very impressive when seeing off 2021 Epsom Derby and King George hero Adayar in the Champion Stakes at Ascot, with the previously-unbeaten Baaeed only fourth. Sir Michael Stoute's five-year-old made a perfectly satisfactory reappearance when third in the Prix Ganay and looks the one to beat. Vadeni was a place behind him at Longchamp, but has been supplemented for this and took the Prix du Jockey Club and Eclipse last season before a cracking second in the Arc. Luxembourg had the French raider back in third when triumphant in the Irish Champion Stakes and will step forward from his comeback fifth in the Mooresbridge.
Prediction : 1st Bay Bridge 2nd Vadeni 3rd Luxembourg

Joseph O'Brien launches a three-pronged assault but even though Jumbly is the mount of Ryan Moore, she has a 309-day layoff to overcome and the pick of the trio may be Honey Girl, who stepped up markedly on her maiden success when bounding clear for an impressive Group 3 victory here. However, Willie McCreery has a good record in this contest and narrow preference is for his INSINUENDO. Too keen over 1m2f in the Mooresbridge Stakes, she is better judged on her C&D defeat of Redressed in the Park Express over track and trip in March and her good third in a Group 1 on Champions Day at Ascot last October.
Prediction : 1st Insinuendo 2nd Honey Girl 3rd Jumbly

Last season's champion two-year-old filly thanks largely to her impressive Moyglare success, TAHIYRA was a warm order for the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket. She looked the likely winner coming into the Dip, but a big mid-race move and possibly the lack of a prep run told and she was fought off by Mawj. She was still a long way clear of the third, though, and can taste Classic glory today. Meditate was runner-up in the Moyglare and only sixth at Newmarket, but she showed her brilliance at the Breeders' Cup and better is expected. It is interesting that her trainer Aidan O'Brien has opted to drop Jackie Oh back down to a mile, while Moyglare third Eternal Silence is another who could get involved at a bigger price.
Prediction : 1st Tahiyra 2nd Meditate 3rd Jackie Oh

DRUMROLL chased home the talented Paddington in the Tetrarch Stakes over a mile here at the beginning of the month and it would be no surprise to see the son of Deep Impact go one better now upped in trip. Mister Mister was third on that occasion and is another who should relish the extra couple of furlongs here, while Pivotal Trigger and the unexposed Save Your Love are the pick of the remainder.
Prediction : 1st Drumroll 2nd Mister Mister 3rd Save Your Love

Most of these have potential to improve now they are faced with a sterner test of stamina and the likes of Star Galaxy, Esquiline and High Chieftess are all in capable hands as they set out on the next phase of their development. However, the one that appeals most on pedigree is EZIVA, whose dam won the Group 2 Blandford Stakes for this yard here in 2018. It's noteworthy that the daughter of Medaglia d'Oro is pitched straight in at this sort of trip and a big run is expected from the Aga Khan-owned filly on debut.
Prediction : 1st Eziva 2nd Star Galaxy 3rd Esquiline

A typically wide-open handicap to round out proceedings on a fantastic weekend of action, and marginal preference is for STAR KISSED. The Sea The Stars filly struck in a maiden at Bellewstown last month and has been allocated an opening mark of 79 which, judged on her pedigree alone, could prove extremely lenient. The Very Man looks well treated based on his NH form and must be seriously considered, along with Newfoundland, for all that he needs to bounce back from a disappointing run at Tipperary. Others to note include Mellow Magic, Black Hawk Eagle and Mr Rango.
Prediction : 1st Star Kissed 2nd The Very Man 3rd Newfoundland