UK Horse Racing Tips: Curragh

Irish Acclamation was a position and almost four lengths ahead of Jack Major when third at Cork but while that experience will stand both in good stead, they are taken on by some interesting newcomers. Heading the bunch is TREASURE ISLE, a No Nay Never colt related to plenty of winners who has the honour of being the first Ballydoyle juvenile seen out in 2024. Passing Phase is out of a Group 3 winner, and Midnight Strike merits respect as well.
Prediction : 1st Treasure Isle 2nd Passing Phase 3rd Irish Acclamation

With Sunriseontheboyne's Dundalk sixth setting only a modest standard, it should pay to concentrate on the debutants. The obvious first port of call is the Aidan O'Brien-trained WHISTLEJACKET, who is a full-brother to the yard's 2022 champion juvenile Little Big Bear, so it is no surprise he cost 500,000gns as a yearling. Fellow No Nay Never colt Spartan Soldier fetched 150,000 euros, as did his stablemate Mount Parnassus, while Cowardofthecounty also made six figures. Devine Genius, a 185,000-euro half-brother to Breeders' Cup hero Unquestionable, could be the biggest threat, though.
Prediction : 1st Whistlejacket 2nd Devine Genius 3rd Spartan Soldier

ECLIPSE EMERALD beat Kortez Bay (fourth) by over two lengths when running with huge credit to occupy the runner-up berth on his debut over track and trip in October. The son of Holy Roman Emperor would have learned a great deal from that experience and, with normal improvement, he could be the one to beat. Master Of The Hunt has finished third on each of his three starts to date and it would be no surprise to see him get involved, despite the drop in trip. Betsen and Follow Me are others to note.
Prediction : 1st Eclipse Emerald 2nd Master Of The Hunt 3rd Betsen

Fiver Friday beat a few of these when returning with a fifth at Naas and she goes off an unchanged mark so could give it a good crack from the front. However, she might find it tough to deny UNCLE ALBERT, who relished heavy conditions to score by just under four lengths at Cork and a 6lb rise looks kind. The son of Dragon Pulse looks to have lots in his favour and he can go in again, while Sea Eagle and El Bello are two others to consider.
Prediction : 1st Uncle Albert 2nd Fiver Friday 3rd Sea Eagle

With Craven Stakes winner Haatem emphatically boosting last year's Dewhurst form, it would be folly to underestimate HENRY ADAMS, especially as he had valid excuses for a poor showing in the UAE Derby last month. He resented the kick back and was reported as finishing lame. If back to his best, the son of No Nay Never will be a major player, with his three-year-old weight allowance a key factor. Older horses have a good record in this race, though, and Mutasarref, who is proven on deep ground, is feared most. The versatile Jumbly rates the pick of Joseph O'Brien's pair.
Prediction : 1st Henry Adams 2nd Mutasarref 3rd Jumbly

This trip could prove to be a stumbling block for a few of these and with that in mind, the lightly-raced TWO STARS looks worth chancing. Just a neck second to a 91-rated rival under similar ground conditions at Cork last month, the son of Starspangledbanner rates a big player off just a 2lb higher mark here. Magical Vision was a close third in that race and enters calculations off the same rating, while Screen Siren resumes off 12lb higher than her win at Navan in October but cannot be confidently ruled out.
Prediction : 1st Two Stars 2nd Magical Vision 3rd Screen Siren

The key to this race could be the recent clash at Naas between Naisiun (first) and DARK VIPER (second), with Jessie Harrington's charge taken to overturn the form. He is 4lb better off for a near two-length defeat and, runner-up over C&D on his penultimate outing, he should relish the drop from 7f. The unexposed Nouvel Espoir is interesting on his handicap debut, while Cage Rattler is another to note on the back of a career-best second at Leopardstown. Completing the shortlist are Downforce, Gegenpressing and Hezahunk.
Prediction : 1st Dark Viper 2nd Naisiun 3rd Cage Rattler