UK Horse Racing Tips: Curragh

CLOSELY shaped with promise on her second start last summer, when fourth at Cork, and may be able to strike on her return. The No Nay Never filly didn't show much on her debut at Listowel but it was a much better performance 12 days later and the form of that race, won by Suzie Songs, has worked out well. Spring Is Here disappointed on her return at Dundalk but is capable of better than that showing. The Starspangledbanner filly kept good company last season, finishing fourth in Listed company on two occasions. Slaney View was sent off favourite for the opening juvenile race last season, which was won by subsequent Group 1 winner Power Blue. She's another to consider.
Prediction : 1st Closely 2nd Spring Is Here 3rd Slaney View

DMANIAC was impressive on his return to action here 13 days ago and can defy a 7lb hike. The Washington DC gelding travelled really well when scoring by a cosy three-and-a-quarter lengths in similarly testing conditions and the drop back in trip doesn't look like a concern. The four-year-old is progressive and loves the mud. Stag Night was third behind the selection last time and is entitled to get a bit closer now on revised terms. Smoke Them Out was also a winner here on the opening day and has to be respected. He went up 4lb but only has 3lb claimed off his back this time as opposed to 7lb last time.
Prediction : 1st Dmaniac 2nd Smoke Them Out 3rd Stag Night

There could be more to come from NANCEE SPAIN this season. The Calyx filly really blossomed on her final start last term, after some promising efforts, when scoring by a wide margin at Roscommon. She looked like a strong galloper in testing conditions that day and the big track here should play to her strengths. Neptunes Staircase was also an impressive winner at Roscommon on his last start but that did come back in July 2024. Ger Lyons is sure to have him fairly fit for his return though and he's respected. Factual Fact was narrowly denied in a maiden here last November, by a smart mare in Switch From Diesel, and he is another for the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Nancee Spain 2nd Neptunes Staircase 3rd Factual Fact

All eyes will be on ALBERT EINSTEIN as he makes a surprise appearance in preparation for the 2000 Guineas. Aidan O'Brien hasn't been shy about how highly he rates the Wootton Bassett colt, who won both starts early last season. He faces a stiff enough task against some talented older horses but if he's the star they think he is in Ballydoyle, he should come through this test. English raider Ten Bob Tony sets the standard with his official rating of 112. He was placed in Group 1 company over this trip in France last October and is a big player on that form. Princess Child, a Group 3 winner last year, handles cut and is another who is respected.
Prediction : 1st Albert Einstein 2nd Ten Bob Tony 3rd Princess Child

Joseph O'Brien, who has made a flying start to the new turf season, can land this with LISTENTODWINDBLOW. A promising fourth on his debut at Cork, the Wootton Bassett colt was then far from disgraced when finishing mid-division in two strongly-contested sales races. Again, there was enough to take from his final outing when sixth in a Group 3 at Leopardstown to suggest he should be winning his maiden. Third on his sole start as a juvenile, the Johnny Murtagh-trained Zenford is entitled to be all the better for that initial experience. Spacebound, who shaped with promise on his introduction at Dundalk in January, is another with claims.
Prediction : 1st Listentodwindblow 2nd Zenford 3rd Spacebound

A C&D winner last November, the Ciaran Murphy-trained TITANIUM can add to that success. The seven-year-old Zarak gelding again showed his liking for this track when an encouraging sixth of 25 in the Irish Lincolnshire. Dropped 2lb, he should have come on in terms of fitness and is entitled to be one of the leading contenders. Charming Whisper is of definite interest if the ground dries out. A five-time winner on turf, the son of Charm Spirit caught the eye at Dundalk on his most recent start and should appreciate returning to this surface. Perry Mason is another who should be all the sharper for a recent run.
Prediction : 1st Titanium 2nd Charming Whisper 3rd Perry Mason

With an official rating of 102, the Donnacha O'Brien-trained SHAIHAAN can open his account. Seventh on debut here in July, the Night Of Thunder colt stepped forward to finish runner-up to a subsequent Group 1 winner at Dundalk next time. Fourth in a Group 2 back at this track on his final juvenile start, he can hit the ground running this term. An impeccably bred colt, the Aidan O'Brien-trained newcomer George Stubbs commands maximum respect. Stablemate King Of Sparta, who showed promise in two runs last season, cannot be ruled out in first-time cheekpieces.
Prediction : 1st Shaihaan 2nd George Stubbs 3rd King Of Sparta

ROYAL IMPACT has leading claims if he can transfer his all-weather form to the turf. Off the mark on his handicap debut at Dundalk last time, the form of that race has been well advertised subsequently and he tops the shortlist. Runner-up over a mile here last time, Lough Leane should again make his presence felt. A six-time winner on the all-weather, the six-year-old has run some solid races on turf for his current trainer. God Knows is another that could get involved.
Prediction : 1st Royal Impact 2nd Lough Leane 3rd God Knows