UK Horse Racing Tips: Curragh

HOTAZHELL was an eye-catcher when fourth on debut in a hot maiden at Leopardstown last month. He was unable to get racing room in the straight, so his performance can certainly be marked up. Yamal picked up well to finish a place in front of him and is a big player. Hill Road landed a Naas barrier trial and his stable does well with juveniles, while Aidan O'Brien's newcomer Swagman is an obvious threat. Mount Parnassus is a potential improver up in trip, sporting first-time blinkers and on better ground, while Joseph O'Brien's Sea The Stars colt Drivers Seat is another interesting debutant.
Prediction : 1st Hotazhell 2nd Yamal 3rd Hill Road

TUNBRIDGE WELLS ought to reap the benefit of a runner-up effort on debut at Navan. He was outgunned by a smart sort, but finished nicely clear of the remainder and holds a Group 2 entry at the end of the month. Joseph O'Brien unleashes American Pharoah filly Girl Like You, who has to be taken seriously particularly with the entries she holds. Ger Lyons saddled plenty of winners in May and he takes the wraps off Zambales, who should be checked for market strength. This Ain't Texas was highly tried on debut at Naas and wasn't outclassed in fourth, while there are winners in newcomer Mighty Eriu's pedigree.
Prediction : 1st Tunbridge Wells 2nd Girl Like You 3rd Zambales

Aidan O'Brien's MOTHER NATURE lost out by a short head on her first outing on the Polytrack at Dundalk and can make a successful transition to turf. She holds a Group 3 and Irish Oaks entry, so should have a bright future. Paddy Twomey is well versed in taking the wraps off a horse to win on racecourse bow, so Australia filly Alinta has to be respected. O'Brien's Grateful should be a different proposition over this trip after finishing unplaced over 7f in a valuable race at this track last summer, and she is another with an Irish Oaks entry. Ob La Di isn't out of it either.
Prediction : 1st Mother Nature 2nd Alinta 3rd Grateful

NIKKI SWANGO didn't have the clearest of runs when fifth on seasonal debut at Naas and Natalia Lupini's filly can strike here on her second run in handicap company. The daughter of Galileo Gold has shown her best form over 6f but has enough early speed to cope with this drop back to the minimum distance, and Wayne Lordan has a good record for the stable. Kendall Roy's bid for a four-timer failed at Cork, but he had Alpha Cephei a place behind when finishing runner-up and is likely to be on the premises again. Majestic Beauty has good form in stakes company and has to be respected on handicap debut, as does Navan maiden winner Air Force One.
Prediction : 1st Nikki Swango 2nd Kendall Roy 3rd Majestic Beauty

DAME RAPIDE is a dual C&D winner and is only 3lb higher than when winning an 18-runner handicap at this venue just over a year ago. After a winter break, James Barrett gave her a spin over hurdles a few weeks ago, which should have set her up nicely for this valuable contest, and the seven-year-old will relish the quick ground. Saturn was beaten only a length in a premier handicap here last month and now steps up in trip by half a mile. He's lightly raced and open to more improvement. Fairytale Princess is up 11lb for a C&D victory at the Guineas meeting and will find life tougher in this grade.
Prediction : 1st Dame Rapide 2nd Saturn 3rd Fairytale Princess

Never worse than third, and runner-up in her last three starts, OJW LEGACY can gain reward for her consistency. The daughter of Kodiac has finished in front of Beatrix Power on her last two appearances, including in a C&D contest on Guineas weekend, and can confirm the form. Sir Sagacious was fancied when second over 7f at Dundalk, with the winner now rated 100 after finishing fifth in the Irish 2,000 Guineas. That is an eyecatching line of form and Willie Browne's gelding must have a good chance if he's fully primed after four months off. Gaenari and Four Blondes share the same rating, but the former has let down favourite-backers the last twice and the latter hasn't run since October.
Prediction : 1st Ojw Legacy 2nd Sir Sagacious 3rd Beatrix Power

SATURN SEVEN holds leading claims on just her third start for new connections. A two-time winner last season, including over 5f here, she proved her stamina when successful at Limerick over 7f. Following a promising run last time in a much higher grade, the daughter of Sioux Nation should be hard to beat under Shane Foley. Inishmot Prince is undoubtedly a better horse on the all weather but the Tom McCourt-trained six-year-old, who is handicapped accordingly on turf, shaped much better when fourth at Navan last time. He will surely find his level at some point on grass this season. Run Forrest Run tends to reserve his best for this venue, so has to be respected for Micky Fenton.
Prediction : 1st Saturn Seven 2nd Inishmot Prince 3rd Run Forrest Run

Having been short of room over two furlongs out at Naas last time, BARLEY COVE finished strongly up the stiff hill to claim third spot. Faced with an additional half-furlong here, the Wayne Lordan-ridden three-year-old should be keeping on late. Sean Davis has gone agonisingly close to opening his account in the training ranks in recent weeks. Layoftheland, a filly who has twice just been denied during that period, holds every chance once again under champion jockey Colin Keane. The Jessica Harrington-trained Dark Viper is another who has hinted that his turn is near, having hit the crossbar on recent outings.
Prediction : 1st Barley Cove 2nd Layoftheland 3rd Dark Viper