UK Horse Racing Tips: Curragh

In a race full of unknown quantities, it may be best to side with Aidan O'Brien's DIEGO VELAZQUEZ to make a winning debut. An expensive son of top sire Frankel, he is bred to be above-average and could go on to better things. Stable companion Old Faithful is another to take seriously with his sire Siyouni doing remarkably well of late, though he may have to give way to Masoun, who is bred to handle conditions and could be the surprise package. Surfers Paradise is another newcomer to watch, while Ringside Timing may be the best of those with experience.
Prediction : 1st Diego Velazquez 2nd Masoun 3rd Old Faithful

A case can be made for most of these but none more so than A LILAC ROLLA, who looked to have a very bright future when winning on debut at Cork recently. The daughter of Harry Angel is entitled to improve for that experience and she could provide her yard with back-to-back wins in this contest. Opera Singer may prove to be the main threat following her Leopardstown win, although Serious Notions and Profit Refused cannot be discounted. Grateful and Red Viburnum are arguably the most eye-catching of the newcomers.
Prediction : 1st A Lilac Rolla 2nd Opera Singer 3rd Serious Notions

Mr Saturday has shown plenty of ability on both starts so far, including behind Unquestionable here last time and the winner has boosted the form by going very close in the Group 2 Railway Stakes since. However, the Ger Lyons-trained gelding may have to play second fiddle to an Aidan O'Brien inmate again, this time to CHERRY BLOSSOM. The 360,000-euro filly went into notebooks aplenty when a close-up fourth in a 5f Listed contest at Naas on debut and she can make the most of the weight she gets from the boys. Chandigah would be a big player if recapturing the form of his one-length third over this C&D at the end of June.
Prediction : 1st Cherry Blossom 2nd Mr Saturday 3rd Chandigah

COMMANCHE FALLS is having a very good season and he arrives here seeking a hat-trick after wins over C&D and Newbury respectively. Michael Dods' charge showed a very willing attitude to get up on the line last time and this field doesn't appear likely to halt his progression. Go Athletico is feared most after bumping into Art Power over 5f at this venue on his previous outing and this extra yardage could unlock some more improvement, while Shartash and Thunderbear should also be taken seriously.
Prediction : 1st Commanche Falls 2nd Go Athletico 3rd Shartash

A competitive heat in which marginal preference is for KINGS TIME. Jessica Harrington's three-year-old improved to make a winning handicap debut at Leopardstown last month and he does not look overburdened by a 6lb rise in the ratings, with further improvement on the cards. Carracci is similarly unexposed and appears likely to play a part in the finish having been narrowly denied on his latest outing, while others to note include Verhoyen, Giuseppe Cassioli and Pierre Lapin.
Prediction : 1st Kings Time 2nd Carracci 3rd Verhoyen

Bucanero Fuerte returned to winning ways in the Railway Stakes over C&D, having finished third in the Coventry to River Tiber, with Givemethebeatboys one place behind in fourth. The pair are both likely to enter calculations once again, but UNQUESTIONABLE, who was runner-up to Adrian Murray's colt here last time, gets the vote. The son of Wootton Bassett has the scope to improve further and can add to his trainer's excellent record in this contest, as he bids for an unprecedented 18th success. Albany heroine Porta Fortuna completes the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Unquestionable 2nd Bucanero Fuerte 3rd Givemethebeatboys

A case can be made for a handful of these as the likes of Collective Power, Heavenly Power and the ultra-tough mare Cnodian all have the ability to go well. However, marginal preference is for DESERT HAVEN, who has run with credit on several previous visits to the Curragh and dropping back to 6f could unlock further improvement from this relatively unexposed three-year-old. Winemaker is another from that age bracket who warrants a second look now that he is tried in blinkers.
Prediction : 1st Desert Haven 2nd Collective Power 3rd Heavenly Power

CURRAHEEN PRINCESS did finish behind a few of these at Cork last time, most notably Gabriella's Spirit (winner) and Little Queenie (second), but she is an eight-time winner on turf, all over the minimum trip, and her figures of 2-4 at this venue suggest she could well be up to reversing that form back at a track which clearly brings out the best in her. Silmaniya has performed better than her finishing positions suggest this year and is noted along with Dun Na Sead, who has won two of her last three starts, and Jon Riggens.
Prediction : 1st Curraheen Princess 2nd Gabriellas Spirit 3rd Little Queenie