UK Horse Racing Tips: Curragh

BLIXEN FORCE has the benefit of a run, which could prove crucial. The Persian Force colt was sent off favourite for the Brocklesby at Doncaster just over three weeks ago and showed some greenness when asked for his effort over a furlong from home. It was a promising run to finish third to A Bear Affair and he can build on it. Stablemate Belle Island has performed well on the all-weather and the soft ground presents a different challenge. Ballydoyle newcomer Carry The Flag also has to be on the shortlist. The No Nay Never colt was a 250,000-euro yearling and is a half-brother to a Listed winner.
Prediction : 1st Blixen Force 2nd Carry The Flag 3rd Belle Island

NOBLE NATION may be able to bag a follow-up win here. He travelled strongly when scoring at Naas four weeks ago and was perhaps value for a bit more than his winning margin suggests. The form has been boosted recently with the runner-up Exceeding scoring at Leopardstown on Wednesday. Stag Night has run well here on two outings this season and is only 1lb higher than when chasing home Bodhi Bear latest. He looks like a potential danger, likewise Shadow Of The Moon, who was an easy maiden winner when last seen.
Prediction : 1st Noble Nation 2nd Stag Night 3rd Shadow Of The Moon

GREAT BARRIER REEF was one of the two-year-olds Aidan O'Brien flagged up at his media morning a few weeks back and the No Nay Never colt may be able to make a winning debut here. He is a full-brother to Superlative Stakes winner Mystery Power and could be Royal Ascot material. Bull Shark has a run under his belt and is a big player. He didn't trouble the front two on his debut here last month but it was a promising effort and the fourth horse has won since. Joseph O'Brien's newcomer Santerno also makes some appeal.
Prediction : 1st Great Barrier Reef 2nd Bull Shark 3rd Santerno

ALNOFOOR comes here in fine form and may be able to bag another win before the handicapper catches up with him. The Twilight Son gelding was well backed when winning on his return at Navan and followed that up with a convincing success at Bellewstown eight days ago. Going back up in trip doesn't look like an issue and another bold showing looks assured. Bint Majestic Roi ran well when fourth over course and distance 16 days ago. That was her first start over a sprint trip and she could improve from the experience, while it's worth keeping an eye on Astute Power as well.
Prediction : 1st Alnofoor 2nd Bint Majestic Roi 3rd Astute Power

ROYAL RHYME has some very strong Group 1 form in the book. He only made the track twice last season and was a commendable fifth to Los Angeles in the Tattersalls Gold Cup here last May. The pick of his form is a third-placed effort in the Champion Stakes at Ascot in October 2024. He has an absence to overcome, but should appreciate this ground. Green Impact is another interesting one on his return. He picked up an injury after finishing fourth in the York Stakes last July, but is a talented sort and could play a big role. Group 1-winning two-year-old Twain is a fascinating runner, but may be best watched after a long absence.
Prediction : 1st Royal Rhyme 2nd Green Impact 3rd Twain

STARMAN TOM shaped with plenty of promise on his debut at Cork and can step forward. The Starman gelding overcame a tardy start to chase home cosy winner Cardiff By The Sea and that form looks strong as the winner was fourth in the Queen Mary last season. The highest rated of those with official marks is the Jessica Harrington-trained Thenandnow. Her best run came on her debut over 7f at Leopardstown, but she had some decent efforts subsequently and is entitled to play a big role in this company. Cactus would be one of the lesser lights in Ballydoyle, but she has some decent placed form and could get involved.
Prediction : 1st Starman Tom 2nd Thenandnow 3rd Cactus

RED CHARLIE got a fair hike for his easy win here just over three weeks ago, but may be able to follow up. The US-bred gelding, who was a four-and-three-quarter-length victor over C&D in testing conditions, remains very unexposed and may be able to defy the 15lb rise. Mickey The Steel, who chased him home, is now a stone better off so is entitled to give him a bit more to think about. Merisi Diamond was third in that race so has to come into calculations, especially in first-time cheekpieces. Recent Bellewstown winner Lahore Da King also has to be on the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Red Charlie 2nd Mickey The Steel 3rd Merisi Diamond

HAMIYAN had some nice runs in maidens last term and doesn't look harshly treated off a mark of 79 on his second handicap start. The Wootton Bassett gelding was placed twice from four runs, including when third to recent Ballysax winner Christmas Day at Gowran Park. Boston Benjamin brings winning form into the race, having scored at Dundalk back in February. He remains unexposed and Colin Keane is an eyecatching booking. Closely weakened on her comeback run in a maiden here last month, but it would be no surprise if she stepped forward with that outing under her belt.
Prediction : 1st Hamiyan 2nd Boston Benjamin 3rd Closely