UK Horse Racing Tips: Curragh

PUERTO RICO ran a nice race on his debut here earlier in the month and can step forward now. The Wootton Bassett colt stayed on to finish fourth behind stablemate Flushing Meadows over C&D and should have learned plenty from that experience. Ger Lyons has won three of the last four runnings of this race and his Learntodiscover is another obvious contender. Similarly, he shaped with promise when third over track and trip last month. Fresh Fade went close at Listowel and is another who has to be on the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Puerto Rico 2nd Learntodiscover 3rd Fresh Fade

MINERVA was reportedly very green when beaten at a short price on her debut at Leopardstown just over three weeks ago. She finished third to stable companion Moments Of Joy, who has run well since to finish third at Royal Ascot. Cape Sounion has been runner-up on her two outings to date and is the obvious danger. Her form is strong because stablemate Balantina, who beat her last time, has been placed in the Albany since. The other Ballydoyle filly Composing was fifth behind Cape Sounion over 6f here, but may get closer with that run under her belt.
Prediction : 1st Minerva 2nd Cape Sounion 3rd Composing

FOUR BLONDES ran much better in a first-time hood and can strike here, despite going up 3lb for her recent performance. The Gleneagles filly was a touch unlucky when chasing home Declaree in a competitive race at Gowran Park and looks up to scoring again now. Ribchestina was almost three lengths behind the selection last time and is 4lb better off. She is also tried in a hood. Dark Viper ran another solid race when fifth at Leopardstown and could be place material.
Prediction : 1st Four Blondes 2nd Ribchestina 3rd Dark Viper

Not the strongest looking maiden for the course and BOOGIE INTHEJUNGLE may be able to make a winning return. She shaped nicely on her sole outing last term when fourth to Majestic Wave at Navan in October. The form of that race is fairly solid and, with natural improvement, she's up to landing a race of this standard. Made U Blush sets the standard with a mark of 77. She ran well on her return at Leopardstown and drops back in trip after not performing to the same level at Cork over an extended 10 furlongs. Ithacan Queen is an interesting newcomer for Henry de Bromhead. She is a half-sister to a couple of winners.
Prediction : 1st Boogie Inthejungle 2nd Made U Blush 3rd Ithacan Queen

REFRESHMENT is an obvious pick having won his last two starts and can continue his progression, being just a three-year-old. He met various types of in-running issues in his early career starts but has really found his niche racing over this distance in recent weeks, while also benefitting from the application of blinkers. Genuine Jim was in top form earlier in the season and returns having been gelded. He is 9lb higher than when winning at Cork though and would also ideally prefer an ease. Ransom missed the break before running on well at Leopardstown recently and is suited by conditions.
Prediction : 1st Refreshment 2nd Genuine Jim 3rd Ransom

OUR FRIEND MOUSE showed plenty of ability when finishing second in a Guineas-weekend maiden over C&D last month. He finished his race very well and the form has taken a boost with the fourth-placed horse scoring subsequently. Game Point, rated 88, continues to run to a useful level and bumped into a nice newcomer at Gowran recently. Tswalu was beaten by the slow-starting subsequent Ulster Oaks winner at Cork last month and is capable of a decent showing.
Prediction : 1st Our Friend Mouse 2nd Game Point 3rd Tswalu

CINAMMON COCO tried a mile and a half for the first time when a fine second at Roscommon and remains open to further progression. He initially raced over shorter distances but, having performing with credit over an extended 1m1f at Ballinrobe, benefited further from stepping up in trip last time, in a race which is working out well. He is 1lb wrong at the weights, but has an experienced apprentice on board. Fellow three-year-old Jr Mahon is 3lb out of the handicap, but ran well on his handicap debut at Limerick. Pillar Of Hope's rating has dropped markedly from 79 last June and he is worth some thought.
Prediction : 1st Cinammon Coco 2nd Jr Mahon 3rd Pillar Of Hope

Ten-time winner SAN ANDREAS should give rider Robin De Pelsmaeker a chance of claiming Corinthian Challenge success here, being an able performer. Rated 108 at his peak in 2022, the selection has a better all-weather record than on turf but drops in grade, having contested a competitive Leopardstown handicap last month. Duke Of Leggagh, the mount of Madison Clancy, was a Roscommon winner last month and can compete at the business end. Prairie Dancer is another to consider.
Prediction : 1st San Andreas 2nd Duke Of Leggagh 3rd Prairie Dancer