UK Horse Racing Tips: Curragh

USDI ATOHI, a full-sister to 5f Listed winner Asean, appears to have been found a good starting point and this daughter of Ten Sovereigns, who cost 150,000 euros as a yearling, can lay down an early marker for youngsters set to come from the Donnacha O'Brien yard. Cradle Of Love also has an appealing pedigree and, being by Kodiac, can be fancied to cope with the forecast ground conditions. California Dreamer looks the pick of Adrian Murray's pair, although a longer trip is likely to suit before long.
Prediction : 1st Usdi Atohi 2nd Cradle Of Love 3rd California Dreamer

Those with experience have hardly set the world alight, so it is probably best to concentrate on the newcomers. It is interesting that Coolmore have kept Uncanny on the team as a four-year-old and she warrants obvious respect, but fellow Churchill filly IT'SONLYJUSTBEGUN also represents Coolmore interests and the weight this 120,000gns half-sister to a Listed winner receives sways the vote in her favour. Kailasa is from a good Aga Khan family and looks the pick of Johnny Murtagh's two.
Prediction : 1st Itsonlyjustbegun 2nd Uncanny 3rd Kailasa

CRYPTO FORCE beat none other than Auguste Rodin on his debut back in June 2022 and although he hasn't been seen since winning the Group 2 Beresford Stakes over a mile here in September of that year, his class might see him through for him to make a winning return to action. Maxux impressed when running out a decisive winner of a Group 3 over 1m1f at Fairyhouse in September and she heads the dangers. If White Birch is back to the form which saw him finish third in the Derby at Epsom last summer, then he would be a big player.
Prediction : 1st Crypto Force 2nd Maxux 3rd White Birch

Crystal Black relished a return to 1m2f when landing the Northfields Premier Handicap here in September and he warrants respect on his return to action. However, the combination of a 9lb rise in the ratings and this drop in distance may leave Gerard Keane's charge vulnerable, so the race-fit MR RANGO edges the vote. The six-year-old offered plenty of encouragement in third on his stable bow over an inadequate 7f at Naas last month and he looks ready to land a race of this calibre. The progressive Grey Leader also demands a second look now handicapping.
Prediction : 1st Mr Rango 2nd Crystal Black 3rd Grey Leader

ECLIPSE EMERALD outran his odds to finish a highly-encouraging second over C&D in October and he should have learned a great deal from that debut experience. The son of Holy Roman Emperor has plenty of speed in his pedigree and, with normal progression, he could prove hard to beat. Ojw Legacy has finished third on both of her starts to date and she could still have more to offer, so she has to be considered as she takes a drop in trip. Any market confidence behind Judge Me Not on his debut would also be interesting.
Prediction : 1st Eclipse Emerald 2nd Ojw Legacy 3rd Judge Me Not

EVENING BLOSSOM showed plenty of promise on her debut here over 7f and the form of that maiden has worked out well. A daughter of Australia, stepping up in trip should be no inconvenience to Joseph's O'Brien's Irish Oaks entry and she is narrowly preferred to Lady Doris, who herself was an eyecatcher first time out at Dundalk when staying on late for fourth. Opaque looks the pick of the newcomers for leading connections, while Nativity Square has already run twice this year so should be plenty fit enough.
Prediction : 1st Evening Blossom 2nd Lady Doris 3rd Nativity Square

Stag Night built on his runner-up display here when just getting up in the closing stages to head Two Stars at Cork last week. Both command plenty of respect and the latter may well reverse the form with a 2lb swing, but a chance is taken with TOUGH TALK. Best known for making a winning debut here in April 2022 when getting the better of Little Big Bear and Shartash, things didn't go to plan last season. However, a promising effort after a gelding operation when fourth at Leopardstown in July gave hope he was heading in the right direction and the handicapper has given him an excellent chance to bounce back.
Prediction : 1st Tough Talk 2nd Two Stars 3rd Stag Night

Having been narrowly denied by the reopposing Bay Of Sanibel at Navan in October, NEPTUNES STAIRCASE went agonisingly close once again when touched off by the now 97-rated Queenstown over C&D the following month. The pair ought to be closely matched on their switch to handicap company, although Ger Lyons' gelding is proven on heavy ground and can exact his revenge. Carlo Bianconi, runner-up on both of his career starts, should relish a step up in trip, while others to note include Nostringsattached and Narlita.
Prediction : 1st Neptunes Staircase 2nd Bay Of Sanibel 3rd Carlo Bianconi