15:00 Curragh

The Rockingham Handicap is always a competitive affair but preference goes to JON RIGGENS (best priced at 5/1) who went close over 6f here last time. The Eddie Lynam trained five-year-old won at Navan over 5f on his penultimate start off a mark of 79 before finishing 4th beaten only 1 ¼ lengths at this course over 6f last time. 

The handicapper has been kind and dropped Jon Riggens 1lb for that effort which means he runs here off a mark of 85 but crucially he drops back down to 5f which should suit this speedster a lot better. Ben Coen, who rode him to victory at Navan, is back on board and he should run well with six places available. 

Jon Riggens - 0.5pts e/w @ 5/1

16:15 Curragh

This looks a competitive mile handicap but I am willing to take a chance on handicap debutant ARNIEMAC (best priced at 7/1) against some more exposed rivals. The Joseph O’Brien trained four-year-old has improved for a switch of stables where he finished 2nd at Sligo over 5 ½f before winning a maiden easily over this mile trip last time. 

Arniemac won comfortably at Killarney in May beating subsequent winner Fernao by 4 ½ lengths and that rival contests a listed race later on the card. An opening mark of 87 shoudn’t underestimate him and I expect him to run well with six places available.  

Arniemac - 0.5pts e/w @ 7/1

18:00 Curragh

MR ESCOBAR (best priced at 15/4) joined Willie Mullins having won his final start for Joseph Murray in January and he was a huge eyecatcher on his stable debut at Lingfield on the AW. The five-year-old was a well backed 7/4 favourite but Ryan Moore ended up finishing the race pinned up against the rail on the inside after his mount apparently hung left handed. 

That run came off a mark of 80 and he now returns to Ireland off a mark of 75 meaning he could be extremely well handicapped. This will be his first start on turf but that shouldn’t be a problem and he could win this easily. 

Mr Escobar - 1pt @ 15/4