UK Horse Racing Tips: Curragh

A half-brother to a two-year-old winner who went on to pick up black-type as a juvenile, NEOLITHIC has the pedigree to be competitive on debut. While the son of Sioux Nation will almost certainly want further in time, this looks the right trip starting off. With those drawn high having had a noticeable advantage at the last meeting here, the Aidan O'Brien-trained colt looks nicely berthed on the stands side. Killourney Reigns is also of interest on his racecourse debut. Trainer Johnny Murtagh sent out his half-sister to make a winning start to her career. She later went on to finish runner-up in a Grade 2 in America. Substance, a half-brother to two black-type horses, also merits respect.
Prediction : 1st Neolithic 2nd Killourney Reigns 3rd Substance

Impressive Dundalk maiden winner LADY IMAN should be hard to beat if able to replicate that form on grass. Well supported to make a winning debut, the daughter of Starman had clearly being showing plenty at home. The form of that race has been well advertised subsequently, with both the runner-up and third placed horse going on to land their respective maidens. Power Blue, who won the opening juvenile race of the season over course and distance, holds every chance. On collateral form, the Adrian Murray-trained colt has work to do with the selection but he is entitled to have improved from that initial run. True Love, a full-sister to a winning juvenile, has to be respected on her introduction.
Prediction : 1st Lady Iman 2nd Power Blue 3rd True Love

The Paddy Twomey-trained CURRAWOOD should be progressive enough to cope with this rise in class. Placed in two maidens at this track last season, he opened his account at Dundalk towards the end of March. Back on grass last time, the son of Acclamation easily disposed of some smart previous winners to land a competitive contest at Cork. He certainly deserves to take his chance in Listed company here and holds every chance of completing the hat-trick. Third in the Gladness Stakes at this venue on his return, the Aidan O'Brien-trained Officer is entitled to have come on for that outing. Alakazi is also worthy of consideration.
Prediction : 1st Currawood 2nd Officer 3rd Alakazi

It could pay to take a chance on the Joseph O'Brien-trained handicap debutant BEAUTIFUL AFFAIR. Unlucky in running when sent off a warm favourite on her racecourse debut at Dundalk, the daughter of Wootton Bassett then finished runner-up to Powerful Lady on her next start. However, it is her latest run, when third behind a pair of fillies now rated in the 90s, that makes her of interest here off just 77. The aforementioned Powerful Lady has to have every chance of confirming that previous form but may not have as much scope for improvement. Course maiden winner Orchidaceae should find this easier than the Group 3 contest she contested at Leopardstown.
Prediction : 1st Beautiful Affair 2nd Powerful Lady 3rd Orchidaceae

CHANTEZ was a smart juvenile last year and should be suited by this distance on her first start at three. By Wootton Bassett, her previous races have all been at Leopardstown and having readily won her maiden, she landed September's competitive Ingabelle Stakes. She has already beaten five of these rivals, with Garden Of Eden finishing second in the Ingabelle. She disappointed in two subsequent runs here but returned lame having lost a shoe last September and is entitled to have come forward for last month's reappearance. Cercene is another to bear in mind.
Prediction : 1st Chantez 2nd Garden Of Eden 3rd Cercene

LOS ANGELES returns following a fine three-year-old season. He disappointed on his final start last year but had otherwise performed to a consistently high level, with his Irish Derby success a particular highlight. 2023 Derby third White Birch won last year's renewal of this race prior to winning the Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup. The race-fit Galen beat Jan Brueghel last month and, although the St Leger winner was reappearing over an inadequate distance, Joseph O'Brien's inmate still warrants plenty of respect.
Prediction : 1st Los Angeles 2nd White Birch 3rd Galen

SHOWHOUND ran well on his first start for new connections over C&D last month. A dual UK winner, he is ground-versatile and while raised 4lb following his recent runner-up effort, finished nicely clear of the third-placed El Bello, who reopposes. A reproduction of that effort would give him every chance. Nine-time winner Notforalongtime has been running consistently well and while well suited by this distance, has a wide draw in 23. Six-time winner Mullacash Buzz has a similar profile and continues in good form.
Prediction : 1st Showhound 2nd El Bello 3rd Notforalongtime

KWA HERINI ran well in a recent handicap and has an unexposed profile. Out of a Group 3-winning dam who has already bred five winners, the selection showed just mild promise at Dundalk last winter but ran a solid race over course-and-distance last month, with further progression possible. She's Smart ran well on soft ground at Navan recently and while she is also suited by a sound surface, her best form is at five furlongs. Martinelli has useful recent form and seems at his best on easy ground but it is at least interesting that he drops markedly to this distance.
Prediction : 1st Kwa Herini 2nd Shes Smart 3rd Martinelli