UK Horse Racing Tips: Curragh

Course winner STRIKE RED is ground-versatile, ideally suited by this distance and finished second in a decent heritage handicap at York last month. He hasn't won since landing the Scurry Handicap here in July 2023 but has performed consistently well in similar hot handicaps and, notably, finished ahead of today's rival Torivega at Royal Ascot and is now 4lb better off with that rival. Torivega, out of a Group 2-winning dam, has had three luckless runs here this year but, being a four-year-old, might continue to progress further. Heavenly Power beat Apache Outlaw (second) to win the August C&D race in which Torivega finished third and the pair have obvious form claims.
Prediction : 1st Strike Red 2nd Torivega 3rd Heavenly Power

PURPLE LILY endured a rough passage in the Irish Oaks but holds today's other three-year-olds on previous form and can also defeat older rivals. She failed by half a length against subsequent English Oaks winner Ezeliya at Navan in April and may have been unsuited by dropping to a mile in the Irish 1,000 Guineas, but the Irish Oaks form here in July is strong with the first two home going on to fill the same positions in the Yorkshire Oaks. The selection has 2lb to find with American Sonja on official ratings and, while she is suited by this distance and finished second in a Deauville Group 1 recently, Joseph O'Brien's charge would prefer some cut in the ground. Elizabeth Jane was a length and a half behind the selection in the Irish Oaks and has solid place claims.
Prediction : 1st Purple Lily 2nd American Sonja 3rd Elizabeth Jane

BEDTIME STORY has been kept ticking over since her Royal Ascot romp and will be primed for this first Group 1 attempt. By Frankel and out of dual Nunthorpe Stakes winner Mecca's Angel, she is a really smart filly and has won twice since Ascot at the expense of stablemate Exactly. Simmering was flattered to finish as close to Fairy Godmother as she did in the Albany Stakes but, nonetheless, she won in good style at Deauville last month. She seemed to benefit from stepping up to this distance that day and is noted. Lake Victoria and Red Letter met over C&D in June and are up in class.
Prediction : 1st Bedtime Story 2nd Simmering 3rd Red Letter

BRADSELL has underperformed in two course runs but is top class when conditions are in his favour. Winner of the 2022 Coventry Stakes, he disappointed in the Phoenix Stakes here as a juvenile but has since found his niche running over this distance. He won the King's Stand as a three-year-old and, while he disappointed in this race last year, softening ground blunted his speed that day and he should take all of the beating if replicating his Nunthorpe Stakes performance. Believing finished second in the Nunthorpe and should again run well, while last year's winner Moss Tucker might need a bit of cut underfoot.
Prediction : 1st Bradsell 2nd Believing 3rd Moss Tucker

HENRI MATISSE is still a work in progress but can progress further. Out of a Group 1-winning dam, none of his wins have been flashy performances and while displaying signs of inexperience in both the Railway Stakes and the Futurity, he finished that latest race quite well and is ideally suited by this distance. Aomori City also seemed to benefit from stepping up to this distance when winning at Goodwood in July. He had previously finished third to subsequent Prix Morny winner Whistlejacket at Newmarket, while the form of his recent win was subsequently boosted by the third-placed colt winning at Group 2 level. Hill Road stays well as he impressively won his maiden over a mile, but steps up markedly in class.
Prediction : 1st Henri Matisse 2nd Aomori City 3rd Hill Road

KYPRIOS was beaten in this at a short price last year but has looked back to his brilliant best this term and should prove the class act. The son of Galileo had an injury interrupted campaign last term but has been flawless in four starts this year, winning his second Ascot Gold Cup and most recently running out an impressive victor of the Goodwood Cup. Giavellotto looks the obvious danger and will make sure it's a solid test. He steps back up in trip after a cosy Group 2 success at Newmarket in July. He beat Vauban in fine style in the Yorkshire Cup in May, while Willie Mullins' charge restored his confidence on the Knavesmire last month.
Prediction : 1st Kyprios 2nd Giavellotto 3rd Vauban

SPIRIT D'OR can give trainer Gavin Hernon a big winner here. The Invincible Spirit filly ran well to finish fourth in Listed company at Deauville on her penultimate start and there is an Irish line of form to work with there as the consistent Shamrock Breeze was just denied in that race. The handicapper has given the maiden winner a mark of 93 and she sets the standard. Aidan O'Brien tries cheekpieces on Right And True and he could be a big player after solid placed efforts in maidens the last twice. English raiders have a fine record in this and Karl Burke's Unspoken Love drops in class.
Prediction : 1st Spirit Dor 2nd Right And True 3rd Unspoken Love

Ryan Moore gave WIGMORE STREET a fantastic ride to win here 15 days ago and there looks scope for further improvement from the American Pharoah gelding. He came with a late charge to gain a head victory in the Irish Cambridgeshire and going another couple of furlongs now should suit. Gerry Keane had a memorable day when taking this last year with Crystal Black and Genuine Article could run a big race again for the same connections. He was a touch unlucky when fourth at Galway recently and is tried in blinkers now. Former Group 1 winner Helvic Dream has been eased a few pounds and is interesting back in handicap company.
Prediction : 1st Wigmore Street 2nd Genuine Article 3rd Helvic Dream