UK Horse Racing Tips: Curragh

HAWK MOUNTAIN is from a top Coolmore family and although he needs to improve from his introduction, his trainer has absolutely dominated this race. By Wootton Bassett and out of a dual Group 1 winner, he was well held in a smart maiden here three weeks ago but finished nicely and should benefit from the extra furlong. His stablemate Port Of Spain finished just half a length behind him on debut so has to be feared. Perisher was beaten by a more experienced Ballydoyle representative on his Galway debut and should benefit from that.
Prediction : 1st Hawk Mountain 2nd Port Of Spain 3rd Perisher

SUGAR ISLAND scored on her introduction here in July and although she now needs to step up, it is encouraging Ryan Moore rides her instead of Royal Ascot-placed stablemate Moments Of Joy. By Dubawi and out of a blue-blooded winning-sister to top racemare Minding, the selection showed a willing attitude to score on debut, with Ridersinthesky third, and should improve considerably. Chesham Stakes third Moments Of Joy has proven form and is an obvious contender, while the well-bred Queen Of Hawaii scored readily at Leopardstown but faces a much stiffer test now.
Prediction : 1st Sugar Island 2nd Moments Of Joy 3rd Queen Of Hawaii

MISSION CENTRAL bolted up by eight lengths in a big-field C&D maiden earlier this month and can develop into a high-class performer. A 625,000gns yearling purchase and out of an unraced sister to a Group 1 winner, he was green on his Dundalk debut but, having been gelded subsequently, was thoroughly professional in routing his rivals 21 days ago. He should readily cope with the step up in grade. Ipanema Queen won a recent course Listed contest over 5f, but is vulnerable to an exciting type. Mushaffar won a median sires maiden on his introduction here, but steps up to a much higher level.
Prediction : 1st Mission Central 2nd Ipanema Queen 3rd Mushaffar

RED LETTER has shown smart ability and might reverse June form with Barnavara. Although only seventh in the 1000 Guineas at Newmarket, she bounced back with a useful effort behind Barnavara at Navan and showed an ability to handle soft ground when scoring at Killarney last month, where she also settled better. She is 3lb better off with Barnavara and although that rival won her maiden on soft, she would prefer good ground. Snellen's connections will certainly have an eye on the weather charts because any softening of the ground would scupper her chances. Azada has cheekpieces applied and has recent form in similar races.
Prediction : 1st Red Letter 2nd Barnavara 3rd Azada

Galway winner WHICH WOLF WINS may be able to strike again here. The Holy Roman Emperor colt was a good winner over this trip at Ballybrit before a solid effort to finish seventh in the valuable Ballyhane Stakes at Naas earlier this month. He was close behind some higher rated rivals and his mark of 81 looks fair. Nazario makes his nursery debut after three solid runs in maidens and could be the danger. Oh Cecelia has made little impression in better company in two starts since winning her maiden. She could get closer now in a handicap off this mark.
Prediction : 1st Which Wolf Wins 2nd Nazario 3rd Oh Cecelia

Another wide-open renewal and PINK OXALIS may be worth a shot off a nice weight. The Stephen Thorne-trained filly was a convincing winner here last month and got a 9lb hike for that performance. She didn't help herself by missing the kick in Galway last time but ran a nice race in the circumstances to finish fourth off this mark. There could be a nice prize in her now back here. Ryan Moore is an eye-catching booking for raider Godwinson and he commands the utmost respect. Genuine Article bossed things from the front at Galway last time and is another for the shortlist, despite a 10lb rise for that victory.
Prediction : 1st Pink Oxalis 2nd Genuine Article 3rd Godwinson

UNDEFEATABLE won well at Sligo earlier in the month and may be able to follow up off a 5lb higher mark. The form of that race got a boost at Naas last Sunday when the runner-up, Pinmoney, scored and Nicola Burns is a positive booking in this apprentice contest now. Carrigans Grove has been very consistent but has crept up the handicap as a result. She should run her race again. Send Harry was a couple of lengths behind Carrigans Grove when the pair filled the placings behind Nezeeh here a fortnight ago. He is now 3lb better off and also has to come into calculations.
Prediction : 1st Undefeatable 2nd Carrigans Grove 3rd Send Harry

The 90-rated MO GHILLE MAR looks the pick at the weights here. The Zoffany filly ran a solid race in handicap company at Killarney last time and despite being eased a couple of pounds is still top rated here. Mordor was no match for easy winner Kyle of Lochalsh over in Goodwood at the start of the month but it was still a solid effort in second. He is rated 88 but does have to give the filly 5lb. Jungle Cove is a regular in these types of races and could be place material.
Prediction : 1st Mo Ghille Mar 2nd Mordor 3rd Jungle Cove