UK Horse Racing Tips: Curragh

CARLA RIDGE could be a shade of value on her handicap debut. There was plenty of merit in her placed efforts in Listed and Group 3 company at Naas over the summer. The last couple of winners of this sprint have been drawn high and she is housed in stall 22. British raider Tuco Salamanca was a ready winner on soft ground at Yarmouth before following up in good style at Newcastle, so is particularly dangerous. Rain is music to the ears of connections of Go Athletico, who could be coming home better than most. Big Gossey, who won this race two years ago, Sarahmae, stablemates Keke and Heavenly Power and the intriguing handicap debutant Bounty are among a whole host of horses with chances.
Prediction : 1st Carla Ridge 2nd Tuco Salamanca 3rd Go Athletico

JOYFUL TIDINGS has the big advantage of winning his maiden on rain-softened ground at Tipperary. He went off favourite for that debut run and the runner-up has endorsed the form in no uncertain terms by winning twice since, including in Listed company. Karl Burke's Alparslan was an emphatic winner of a novice stakes at Leicester and holds a Group 1 entry, so his chance is respected. Ger Lyons is having a good season with his juveniles and his representative By The Lake held on by a neck to make a winning start in Naas. Blingy's Sister was beaten into second at Chester by a horse who has some eyecatching entries, so her chance shouldn't be underestimated.
Prediction : 1st Joyful Tidings 2nd Alparslan 3rd By The Lake

A mouthwatering clash between COMPOSING and the unbeaten Venetian Sun, with preference for the former. Aidan O'Brien's charge is proven over 7f and is on a four-timer after victories in a maiden and a Group 2 over C&D that sandwich a Group 3 in Leopardstown. Slower ground shouldn't inconvenience her as her dam was very proficient in testing conditions. Venetian Sun is the highest rated on 113 after four wins culminating in a Group 1 at Deauville. She is a massive player and her trainer won this race two years ago, but she is trying a new trip. Composing's stablemate Beautify took a notable scalp when victorious in a Group 2 over 6f here and has plenty of upside.
Prediction : 1st Composing 2nd Venetian Sun 3rd Beautify

BUCANERO FUERTE is in terrific form and could bring up his hat-trick. His seasonal reappearance saw him take a Listed race at Naas in May and he then made all in a Group 3 over 6f at this venue in August. He is already a winner at the highest level at the Curragh and is four from six here, including on attritional ground over this trip on debut. Australian representative Asfoora has been garnering plenty of headlines since winning the Nunthorpe at York last month. She brings a lot of class to this sprint and is likely to be right there at the business end. Two Stars is up in grade, but is going the right way and conditions will suit.
Prediction : 1st Bucanero Fuerte 2nd Asfoora 3rd Two Stars

Charlie Appleby has a really good National Stakes record and SABA DESERT can give him a fourth success in this Group 1 contest. The Dubawi colt still looked a touch green when winning the Superlative Stakes at Newmarket back in July, but also showed a smart turn of foot to quicken up and run out an impressive winner. There looks to be scope for plenty more improvement from him. Gstaad was turned over in France last time, but was beaten by a good filly in Venetian Sun and Aidan O'Brien expects him to relish the step up to 7f. The other English raider Zavateri brings an unbeaten record into the race and also commands respect.
Prediction : 1st Saba Desert 2nd Gstaad 3rd Zavateri

AL RIFFA was impressive when stepping up to this trip for the first time in the Curragh Cup and the classy middle-distance performer can strike again at the top level. He pulled clear in fine style over C&D in July and softer ground now wouldn't be an issue. A real test of stamina would suit Illinois and he's the obvious danger. The Galileo colt was runner-up in the St Leger at Doncaster last season and filled the same position in the Gold Cup this year. The progressive Amiloc is another who has to come into calculations. The unbeaten Postponed gelding makes his first start since winning the Group 2 King Edward VII at Royal Ascot.
Prediction : 1st Al Riffa 2nd Illinois 3rd Amiloc

RED LETTER comes here on a roll and can take another step up the ladder. The Frankel filly has bagged Listed and Group 3 prizes on her last two starts and was good when winning over nine furlongs here on her latest outing. Going up another furlong now should be no problem and she is versatile ground-wise. One Look is an obvious danger and has already bagged two Group 3 races here this term. The consistent Snellen was a game winner at Leopardstown latest and should be in the mix again.
Prediction : 1st Red Letter 2nd One Look 3rd Snellen

English raider CROWN OF OAKS is hard to ignore running under a penalty in this. The Wootton Bassett gelding was a very easy winner at Ascot last weekend with cut in the ground and there should be more to come. Sujet won a big pot here in June and remains relatively unexposed. He comes here on the back of a win at Killarney and commands respect. Glen To Glen was beaten at a short price over course and distance on his latest outing in July, but is tried in blinkers now.
Prediction : 1st Crown Of Oaks 2nd Sujet 3rd Glen To Glen