UK Horse Racing Tips: Curragh

Debutant Igor Stravinsky would likely need to land the spoils here if he were to take up his Irish Guineas entry at the end of next month. As is par for the course, the Aidan O'Brien/Ryan Moore representative must be given the utmost respect, but it is KAILASA who gets the vote. The daughter of Starspangledbanner makes plenty of appeal on paper, being a half-sister to two winners and a distant relative of Champion Stakes winner Kalanisi, so it would come as no surprise were she to make an immediate impact. Others to note include Zaynab, No Knee Never and Monasterboice.
Prediction : 1st Kailasa 2nd Igor Stravinsky 3rd Zaynab

PERFECT JUDGEMENT didn't get the clearest of runs when keeping on for third over 6f at Dundalk and compensation could await on his return to the turf. Not beaten far on his one start here, Ado McGuinness' charge may have enough to see off Jalaybee, who was a shade unlucky not to break the maiden last season and caught the eye when grabbing fifth late in the day at Cork. This represents a significant drop in grade for Sweetest and she must be considered, along with recent Madrid Handicap second Bid For Chester.
Prediction : 1st Perfect Judgement 2nd Jalaybee 3rd Sweetest

GREY LEADER showcased his versatility in his three victories from five starts in 2023, with the most recent coming on heavy ground at Gowran Park in October. The son of El Kabeir now has his attention switched to handicap company and it wouldn't be a huge surprise to see him take another step up the ladder. Crystal Black was last seen winning here on Irish Champions Weekend and is respected dropping back from 1m2f. Others to consider include Mexicali Rose and Mr Rango.
Prediction : 1st Grey Leader 2nd Crystal Black 3rd Mexicali Rose

Nelda sets a fair standard after finishing second in a Galway maiden last August and it would be no surprise to see her play a hand in the finish. Preference, though, is for 150,000gns purchase UNASSUMING. She fared best of those ridden off the pace when finishing fifth over 1m2f on her debut here in June last year and, with that experience under her belt, she gets a tentative vote. Johanna Whitty completes the shortlist donning cheekpieces for the first time, though the drop in trip asks a question of her.
Prediction : 1st Unassuming 2nd Nelda 3rd Johanna Whitty

WHITE BIRCH showed he goes well fresh when bursting on to the scene in the Ballysax last year, proving it was no fluke by making the frame in the Dante and Epsom Derby. He has been off since a solid enough fourth on Irish Champions Weekend and this looks like a good point of return for him. Mashhoor claimed the scalp of Al Riffa in the International Stakes, although he was behind the selection when last seen. Testing conditions seem to suit the unexposed Maxux, with Greenland and the long-absent Crypto Force worth a look too.
Prediction : 1st White Birch 2nd Maxux 3rd Mashhoor

Chemistry shaped with some promise when third on debut at Naas in October and appears to be open to improvement for stepping up in trip. Similar comments apply to Model Approach, who finished fifth at Leopardstown earlier in the month, but a chance is taken on BLOOM VEGA. Conditions are unlikely to be a concern given her dam was a dual Listed winner with cut in the ground and Johnny Murtagh's Lope De Vega filly commands plenty of respect on her first career start.
Prediction : 1st Bloom Vega 2nd Chemistry 3rd Model Approach

This can go the way of MERISI DIAMOND, who could not have won any easier over track and trip in March before failing to justify short odds at Leopardstown. Martin Brassil's charge seems to have more of a liking for the Curragh and gets the vote ahead of Tough Talk, who was runner-up in the Marble Hill over C&D as a two-year-old and hinted at a return to form at Leopardstown last July. Dagoda and top-weight Heavenly Power also go well here, while Saturn Seven is another to note on her first start for new connections.
Prediction : 1st Merisi Diamond 2nd Tough Talk 3rd Heavenly Power