UK Horse Racing Tips: Curragh

A contest where the market should be informative. Aidan O'Brien has taken the last two renewals and fields a pair of Wootton Bassett colts in BRUSSELS and Kansas. The former made 300,000gns at the sales and is the mount of Ryan Moore so a big run looks more than likely. Kansas has had the benefit of an outing in Naas, where he finished third, and improvement should be forthcoming. He holds an entry in an early-closing sales race at Doncaster. O'Brien is operating at a strike-rate of just under 40 per cent in juvenile races this season. Newcomer Ennoble is one of two representatives from Joseph O'Brien's stable and is a half-brother to a Listed winner.
Prediction : 1st Brussels 2nd Kansas 3rd Ennoble

TRUSTYOURINSTINCT sets the standard with a rating of 109. He's a very consistent horse who landed a Group 3 over this trip at Leopardstown in September. He wasn't far behind the market leaders in third in a Group 2 over 1m2f here earlier this month, which was a creditable performance. Paddy Twomey's stable is in red-hot form and Magical Hope is a very interesting contender on her first start for him. She won at Listed level in Germany and the fact she holds a Group 1 entry at this track next month looks highly significant. Siege Of Troy was very strong in the market on her seasonal reappearance at Gowran Park before finishing fourth. She is not one to underestimate.
Prediction : 1st Trustyourinstinct 2nd Magical Hope 3rd Siege Of Troy

Joseph O'Brien's AERONAUTIC catches the eye on his handicap debut. This Gleneagles gelding is a lightly-raced sort who has won two of his four races. On his latest outing, he was beaten two lengths into fourth in Listed company at Leopardstown last summer. He can have a say off a mark of 96. Himalayan Heights is race-fit from a decisive victory in a Leopardstown handicap in April. Afterwards, connections commented that he has matured since last season so there should be more to come from him. Longbourn has gone well fresh before and is well versed in big-field handicaps. Cloud Seeker is climbing the weights but has a more-than-decent win ratio, which will stand him in good stead.
Prediction : 1st Aeronautic 2nd Himalayan Heights 3rd Longbourn

Aidan O'Brien takes the wraps off Australian import STORM BOY, who could be an exciting addition to the sprinting ranks. He won at this level at Randwick as a juvenile and is a son of Justify with plenty of dash. He holds Group 1 entries for Royal Ascot. Grand Grey ran on strongly for second (ahead of Lethal Levi in third) in a Group 3 at Newmarket, which was a notable effort on his first start since switching to Kevin Ryan. My Mate Alfie really enjoys the Curragh and is likely to come on from his runner-up berth on his reappearance in Naas. Charlie Hills won this last year and sends Iberian across the Irish Sea, so his chance is respected.
Prediction : 1st Storm Boy 2nd Grand Grey 3rd My Mate Alfie

Newmarket runner-up FIELD OF GOLD can gain compensation for a narrow defeat in the first Classic of the season. The Gosdens' grey was arguably an unlucky loser, making late headway to lose out by half a length. With Colin Keane taking over in the saddle, the Juddmonte-owned colt has strong claims of taking this prize back across the Irish Sea. Hotazhell, who was a late withdrawal from the French Guineas, has every chance if ready on his first start of the season. Officer needs to take a significant step forward but, as the pick of the Ballydoyle pair, he commands maximum respect.
Prediction : 1st Field Of Gold 2nd Hotazhell 3rd Officer

Irish Lincoln winner ORANDI has every chance of landing another big prize for trainer Tony Martin. Narrowly denied when bidding to follow up in the English equivalent at Doncaster, the seven-year-old was subsequently raised 4lb. With Jack Kearney taking 3lb off his back, the gelding looks favourably treated and given his liking for these big-field cavalry charges, he has to be the first port of call. A real eyecatcher on his recent stable debut at Limerick, Lord Church has to be of interest on his second start for Emmet Mullins. Stablemate Derry Lad is another who should appreciate a strongly-run mile.
Prediction : 1st Orandi 2nd Lord Church 3rd Derry Lad

Having been successful off a similar break in the past, GENUINE ARTICLE can make a winning reappearance. Lightly raced for previous connections, the five-year-old has shaped with promise on more than one occasion since joining Gerry Keane. Third over C&D on his final start last season, the gelding remains open to further improvement. Merisi Diamond, who looked to be coming to hand when fourth at Limerick last month, shouldn't be far away. Although versatile when it comes to trip, this appears to be his optimum distance. Pinar Del Rio is entitled to be sharper for his recent narrow defeat at Naas.
Prediction : 1st Genuine Article 2nd Merisi Diamond 3rd Pinar Del Rio

Cork maiden winner JAGGED EDGE looks open to improvement from an initial mark of 90. Well on top in the closing stages, the form received a boost when the runner-up won easily next time out. Given how strongly he travelled when opening his account, dropping back a furlong in trip should see the son of Blue Point in an even better light. Madrid Handicap winner East Hampton has to be respected, despite his big weight. That Naas race has thrown up plenty of subsequent Graded performers over the years. British raider Shameful has to enter calculations with Colin Keane booked.
Prediction : 1st Jagged Edge 2nd East Hampton 3rd Shameful

The Dermot Weld-trained ESHERANN has every chance of improving on his debut second at Leopardstown. Always prominent, the Wootton Bassett colt kept on nicely to take minor honours close home. Stepping up an additional three furlongs looks very much in his favour, while the experience of racing over shorter on his introduction will not have been lost on him. Rizal, who was very strong in the market when fifth at Gowran Park, is another who should have benefited from his initial outing and it would be no surprise to see Johnny Murtagh's colt leave that form well behind. Propose is also worthy of consideration.
Prediction : 1st Esherann 2nd Rizal 3rd Propose