UK Horse Racing Tips: Curragh

FORMAL DISPLAY boasts a top-class pedigree, being out of a Group 1-winning mare and a sibling to smart types, and Ger Lyons' colt makes plenty of appeal on handicap debut, having not received a clear passage in a Listed event at Leopardstown recently against older horses. Sharinay has proven handicap form and had his recent Naas run significantly boosted by the winner, Chicago Critic, subsequently finishing third in Royal Ascot's Jersey Stakes last week. Princess Child has smart form in her native France and while lacking a recent outing, she finished second at Listed level on her previous run in November.
Prediction : 1st Formal Display 2nd Sharinay 3rd Princess Child

TUNBRIDGE WELLS showed promise on debut when runner-up at Navan before going one better here last month at very short odds. The runner-up subsequently finished second in the Queen Mary at Royal Ascot and the full-brother to Blackbeard is expected to progress further, especially in first-time cheekpieces. Arizona Blaze was himself placed at Royal Ascot, finishing third in the Norfolk, and had previously won the Marble Hill over C&D. His consistency to date is likely to stand him in good stead, while Principality was beaten by one who followed up under a penalty on his debut at Newmarket. He won decisively at Goodwood, from which the third has won subsequently, and he is of interest stepping up in grade.
Prediction : 1st Tunbridge Wells 2nd Arizona Blaze 3rd Principality

Seven-year-old COMMANCHE FALLS hasn't won since last September but returned to form recently and reverts to this distance, over which all 12 of his wins have come. His biggest success was a Group 3 last July and, while well held at Haydock recently, the winner subsequently finished fourth in both of Royal Ascot's Group 1 sprints. Dual course winner Ano Syra finished third in the course-and-distance Group 2 Greenlands Stakes last month. That was probably a career-best effort but she disappointed subsequently at Cork. Three-year-old My Mate Alfie has progressed well this year and is another to bear in mind.
Prediction : 1st Commanche Falls 2nd Ano Syra 3rd My Mate Alfie

STURLASSON's initial juvenile form was quite smart and, while he subsequently dropped below that level, he has returned to his best in recent runs and finished second in Epsom's three-year-old Dash earlier this month. He easily won a maiden last month and at Epsom he met trouble in-running before finishing well behind the winner, who subsequently finished second in the Palace Of Holyroodhouse Stakes at Royal Ascot. Lethal Nymph's rating had fallen in recent times and, while well held in the Dash at Epsom, he ran well in a big-field handicap at Thirsk recently and should be competitive. Kendall Roy is a thoroughly progressive three-year-old who won over C&D recently.
Prediction : 1st Sturlasson 2nd Lethal Nymph 3rd Kendall Roy

Irish 1,000 Guineas sixth AZADA can make the most of this easier opportunity. The Dermot Weld-trained filly, who was making the first start of her three-year-old career, is entitled to have come on from that seasonal reappearance. Given connections' decision to pitch her into a Classic on just her second start, the Aga Khan-owned daughter of Siyouni is clearly held in some regard. Joseph O'Brien's Atlantic Coast filled the same position in the 2,000 Guineas here but has yet to recapture his juvenile form. A very smart two-year-old, there is still time for the colt to deliver on that promise. Dundalk winner Mundi was well beaten here last time but the fact Ryan Moore remains loyal is surely significant.
Prediction : 1st Azada 2nd Atlantic Coast 3rd Mundi

Epsom Derby runner-up AMBIENTE FRIENDLY can land the Irish equivalent for trainer James Fanshawe. Winner of the Lingfield Derby Trial on his penultimate start, the son of Gleneagles has upwards of 5lb in hand on official ratings. His main threat may come from Los Angeles, a place behind in the Epsom Classic. Aidan O'Brien's first string lost his unbeaten record on that occasion but should be better suited to the Curragh. Ryan Moore is sure to have Ambiente Friendly in his sights throughout. Although unable to get competitive at the business end of the French Derby, Sunway didn't get the clearest of passages. Oisin Murphy will be hoping for better luck here.
Prediction : 1st Ambiente Friendly 2nd Los Angeles 3rd Sunway

The Paul Flynn-trained CHEERS AGAIN can open his account on turf. A three-time winner at Dundalk, the five-year-old was somewhat unlucky in running when third over this course and distance last time. Short of room on the rail over two furlongs out, the gelding finished strongly once the gaps appeared. State Actor, the winner of that race, gives the impression of having plenty more to offer. The lightly-raced four-year-old quickened up smartly to score and has scope off 9lb higher. Colin Keane looks a significant booking. Coeur d'Or makes a quick reappearance having performed really well at Royal Ascot and is also noted.
Prediction : 1st Cheers Again 2nd State Actor 3rd Coeur dOr

The Dermot Weld-trained KAYHANA can step up on her reappearance second at this venue. Having her first start since last September, the Aga Khan-owned filly only weakened late on over a mile and dropping back a furlong should be very much in her favour here. Naas winner Plume Noire had a bit in hand on that occasion so might still be fairly treated off a revised mark. The fact that James Ryan can take 5lb off is worth its weight in gold in a race of this nature. Dagoda seems to reserve her best for the Curragh, so the Jennifer Lynch-trained mare has to be a contender under Oisin Murphy.
Prediction : 1st Kayhana 2nd Plume Noire 3rd Dagoda

Last year's runner-up ZOFFMAN was unable to get to Safecracker on that occasion but holds every chance at these revised weights. Fresh from a close second in the Cork Derby earlier this month, the five-year-old should go close under Colin Keane. The aforementioned Safecracker carried a big weight to victory in 2023, so the fact he has topweight is less of a concern. Johnny Murtagh's gelding seldom runs a bad race at this track. Having won twice over hurdles recently, Joseph O'Brien's lightly-raced Intellotto could be open to further improvement on the Flat this season.
Prediction : 1st Zoffman 2nd Safecracker 3rd Intellotto