UK Horse Racing Tips: Curragh

Well supported on debut at Navan before finishing third, ARDAD NED can open his account at the second attempt. Short of room over two furlongs out, the Noel Meade-trained colt ran on well inside the final furlong to be beaten less than a length. With Colin Keane retaining the ride, the son of Ardad looks to have every chance of a breakthrough success. The Joseph O'Brien-trained Acclamatic has shaped well enough in three runs to suggest he can win his maiden. Runner-up in first-time cheekpieces at Tipperary last time, that headgear is retained here. The Shandyman should be all the better for his recent introduction at Naas.
Prediction : 1st Ardad Ned 2nd Acclamatic 3rd The Shandyman

Third over course and distance last month, STARRED has leading claims of registering an initial success. Beaten a length in that aforementioned race, the Joseph O'Brien-trained colt showed huge improvement from his debut effort. Granted another step forward on this latest appearance, the son of Starspangledbanner has to be the one to beat. Having also reached the frame last month, the Michael Grassick-trained Port Arthur looks a serious threat. Given that the Australia gelding was making his debut on that occasion, he could be open to a lot more improvement on this second start. Newcomer Silk Braid is one that should be noted in the betting market.
Prediction : 1st Starred 2nd Port Arthur 3rd Silk Braid

Fourth over the minimum trip here last month, SARAHMAE will take some beating if staying the extra furlong. A three-timer winner over 5f, the Denis Hogan-trained filly has yet to fully convince that she has the stamina required for further. However, her breeding suggests that the daughter of Magna Grecia is worth another chance to prove that she stays. A beaten favourite over course and distance earlier this month, Jon Riggens is fitted with a first-time visor now. If that headgear has the desired effect, the gelding will be very competitive. Gerrit's Gem is weighted to reverse recent form with Unique Journey.
Prediction : 1st Sarahmae 2nd Jon Riggens 3rd Gerrits Gem

C&D winner MARY SHOELACES has plenty in her favour. Well drawn, just one off the stands rail, the Eddie and Patrick Harty-trained filly has the services of an in-form apprentice. A four-year-old daughter of U S Navy Flag, the selection ran well under Jessica O'Gorman when fourth here on her penultimate start. She is readily forgiven a below par run at Navan subsequently, as that track would have tested her stamina limitations. Nouvel Espoir is fairly handicapped at present. A winner off this mark last August, the gelding has been in decent form of late. Steel Magnolia is another with strong claims in a competitive affair.
Prediction : 1st Mary Shoelaces 2nd Nouvel Espoir 3rd Steel Magnolia

The Johnny Murtagh-trained RETRACEMENT can register a first Irish success. A maiden winner for previous connections when trained in England, the four-year-old has shown definite promise since arriving in this country. With his two best runs to date coming over this course and distance, the son of Australia has bright prospects of making the breakthrough under Ben Coen. The lightly raced In My Teens takes a step up in class here but has to be respected. The Gavin Cromwell-trained Camelot filly could have scope for improvement off her current rating. Stablemate Fiver Friday is also worthy of consideration on her first start for Cromwell.
Prediction : 1st Retracement 2nd In My Teens 3rd Fiver Friday

Runner-up over 10 furlongs here last month, PORTNAHAPPLE can go one place better. Having stayed on strongly to take minor honours on that occasion, the son of Masar should appreciate stepping up in trip on this second career start. With an official rating of 80, the Jessica Harrington-trained Carthusian sets the standard. Fifth here on his most recent start, the Lope De Vega gelding should be good enough to break his maiden at some point. Kilcrea Rock is another that has shown enough to suggest that he is capable of winning races.
Prediction : 1st Portnahapple 2nd Carthusian 3rd Kilcrea Rock

FAR ECLIPSE is a lightly-raced three-year-old who has shown a bit of improvement lately. He was just behind Earthsong when fourth over this trip at Navan and was only beaten a length when filling the same position at Galway latest. He should have more to offer and gets a tentative vote. Grann's Boy must shoulder a 7lb penalty having gotten up close home to win over 2m at Thurles recently. He still looks well treated relative to his hurdles mark and will enjoy this stiffer track. Whats New blotted his copybook over hurdles last time but the form of his 1m4f win at Roscommon has been well advertised since and he has to enter calculations.
Prediction : 1st Far Eclipse 2nd Granns Boy 3rd Whats New

DAGODA can go well at a price in this big-field affair. A dual course winner in 2023, the Jenny Lynch-trained mare hasn't got her head in front since but has run well several times when returning to the Curragh, including when not beaten far over 6f in June. She has dropped to a dangerous mark and will enjoy an ease in the ground. Skippinandajumpin finished second to a progressive rival at Killarney recently. She's unexposed and should be competitive off a 3lb higher mark. Tofino won over 1m here in August and has been placed twice in three subsequent starts. Mogwli probably wants further these days, while Sonoma Sunset is a handicap debutant to note.
Prediction : 1st Dagoda 2nd Skippinandajumpin 3rd Tofino