UK Horse Racing Tips: Curragh

WILLOFTHEPEOPLE shaped nicely on his debut at Down Royal back in June and that form has worked out well. The A'Ali colt stayed on to finish fourth to stablemate Sir Alfie and was only a neck off another Ger Lyons-trained runner, Howd'yadoit, at the line. That horse has won twice since, including taking the valuable Ballyhane Stakes at Naas. Coincidental Glory showed a nice bit of improvement when third on his second outing at Sligo and is another to consider. Of the newcomers, the Joseph O'Brien-trained Mushaffar is one to note in the market. He was a 125,000-euro purchase at the breeze-ups in May.
Prediction : 1st Willofthepeople 2nd Coincidental Glory 3rd Mushaffar

SIR ALFIE doesn't look badly treated off his mark of 85 and Nicola Burns taking 7lb off the top-weight is a big help. The Dark Angel colt won his maiden at Down Royal back in June and that form has worked out well. He has run two solid races since, most recently when third off this figure in a rated contest at Cork. Raphello lost out narrowly in a Sligo maiden 10 days ago and he could be the danger now trying handicap company for the first time. Believe In Glory, third in a maiden over in Beverley last time, is another to consider further down the weights.
Prediction : 1st Sir Alfie 2nd Raphello 3rd Believe In Glory

KANSAS can gain revenge on Jack The Bachelor after chasing him home in Cork just over three weeks ago. The Wootton Bassett colt finished a length-and-a-quarter second then, but he was giving his rival 5lb and they race off levels now. Jack The Bachelor kicked from the front that day and maintained his advantage to the line. He has to be respected again. Ipanema Queen was no match for Havana Anna at Naas but it was a solid run in second and she also has to be on the shortlist, getting a few pounds from the boys.
Prediction : 1st Kansas 2nd Jack The Bachelor 3rd Ipanema Queen

LOS ANGELES is the class act and it would be a surprise if he got turned over on his return from a little break. The Camelot colt started the season in great form with victories in the Mooresbridge Stakes and Tattersalls Gold Cup. He faded tamely, though, off a strong pace in the Prince Of Wales's at Royal Ascot and bids to bounce back now in lesser company. Zahrann ran really well at Ascot when a staying-on second in the King Edward VII Stakes. This drop in trip probably isn't ideal, but the progressive three-year-old may be the one to give the selection most to do. The consistent Galen should run his race and get in the money.
Prediction : 1st Los Angeles 2nd Zahrann 3rd Galen

CHARASSON doesn't look harshly treated trying handicap company for the first time. The Kodiac filly won her maiden over C&D before diving into a Listed affair at Naas. She was far from disgraced when finishing fifth to Sky Majesty and is still open to improvement on just her fourth career outing. Queen Of Mougins was stakes-placed twice for Ralph Beckett last year and is interesting on her first start for Adrian Murray. Heavenly Power was well beaten on his last visit here, but his three track-and-trip triumphs include this race 12 months ago and he could be each-way value.
Prediction : 1st Charasson 2nd Queen Of Mougins 3rd Heavenly Power

PUPPET MASTER is worth another chance, despite only beating one home in the Irish Derby. In rear throughout, the Aidan O'Brien-trained colt could never get competitive but, having looked like a stayer when finding plenty to win the Lingfield Derby Trial, the son of Camelot gives the impression he should be suited to this longer trip. Versatile seven-year-old Absurde looks his main threat. A former Ebor and County Hurdle winner, the Willie Mullins-trained gelding has twice run respectably in the Melbourne Cup. Dallas Star should be suited to dropping back in trip having raced over further of late.
Prediction : 1st Puppet Master 2nd Absurde 3rd Dallas Star

York runner-up WITHOUTFURTHERADO can go one better back on home soil. Somewhat unlucky in running when staying on late to finish fifth at Gowran on his previous start, the Arthur Moore-trained gelding looked to appreciate stepping up to a mile on the Knavesmire. Kept at that distance now, the three-year-old seems to be fairly handicapped off just 2lb higher. Auburn Avenue, who took minor honours in a Dundalk maiden last month, should be competitive back in handicap company. Third over C&D earlier in the season, the Phoenix Of Spain filly has every chance for trainer Chris Timmons. Justenzia is worth a market check on her first start for Denis Hogan.
Prediction : 1st Withoutfurtherado 2nd Auburn Avenue 3rd Justenzia

AMERICAN IN PARIS has strong claims of providing her young apprentice with a second success. A winner on her penultimate appearance at Naas, the Paul Flynn-trained mare is weighted to confirm that form with runner-up Annie Lavinia. Having run a solid race when mid-division at Cork subsequently, the five-year-old might benefit from having 10lb off her back here. Nicely drawn towards the stands rail, the daughter of Starspangledbanner should be a leading player. Annie Lavinia is bidding to follow up a breakthrough win at Naas and, despite having a bit to find with the selection, she should be competitive. Send Harry is an improving three-year-old worth considering.
Prediction : 1st American In Paris 2nd Annie Lavinia 3rd Send Harry