UK Horse Racing Tips: Curragh

KILMAC AIR has shown promise in three maiden outings this year and gets the vote fitted with cheekpieces on her handicap debut. The daughter of Dandy Man was sent off a well-backed favourite last time when third at Cork and won't be inconvenienced by any further rain. Andy Slattery's yard continues in good form and both his representatives won last time out. Cisterna showed promise over a variety of trips before opening his account at Roscommon, while Aurora Mist also drops back in distance after scoring over a mile at Gowran. Meriden won at Down Royal on Friday despite reportedly not handling the track, while Caitouna may be suited by this drop in trip.
Prediction : 1st Kilmac Air 2nd Cisterna 3rd Caitouna

STARBORN LEGEND obviously impressed when making 330,000 euros at the Goffs Breeze-Up Sale last summer. The son of Starspangledbanner is a half-brother to four winners and it will be interesting to see how strong he is in the market. The Piper's Call showed a high level of form when runner-up to Flushing Meadow in a hot maiden here last June but has been absent since beaten at odds-on the following month. Quinta Girl rates a threat on her fourth to stablemate Luna Mia at Naas, while Tide Of Fortune showed promise on debut here in April. Ask Me Again and Lady Moon are other newcomers to note.
Prediction : 1st Starborn Legend 2nd The Pipers Call 3rd Quinta Girl

Riding arrangements suggest GIANT SEQUOIA is the pick of Aidan O'Brien's two runners and the Frankel colt makes plenty of appeal on pedigree being out of Listed scorer Pink Dogwood who is a sister to Irish Derby winner Latrobe. The other Ballydoyle runner, Aix La Chapelle, also has a smart page being by Justify and out of a Pivotal mare that has already produced Group 1 winners Henri Matisse and Tenebrism. To Infinity cost 360,000 guineas as a yearling and the Wootton Bassett colt is a half-brother to the smart Make Me King, while Bull Shark has been placed on all three starts and had Selwyn behind when third to the exciting Confucius at Naas.
Prediction : 1st Giant Sequoia 2nd To Infinity 3rd Aix La Chapelle

CAPTAIN JAMES COOK was the subject of a positive report in a stable tour and has prospects of making a winning debut for Aidan O'Brien. He's a half-brother to the top-class Arizona Blaze who actually won his maiden on rain-softened ground on debut at this track. No Nay Never filly Little Miss Muffet holds a Group 2 entry and can show up well on her first start for Donnacha O'Brien. Sirocco Sands made a pleasing debut when second at Cork without landing a glove on the winner. He can progress, but is vulnerable to a smart sort. Other newcomers to note are Mehmas colt La Tache, One Number and Orchestrating, who has plenty of winners in his pedigree.
Prediction : 1st Captain James Cook 2nd Little Miss Muffet 3rd Sirocco Sands

ALLSORTZ is an in-form sprinter that will enjoy conditions as there is rain on the agenda. On his latest start, he made all on soft ground at Cork and there should be more to come from him off a 2lb higher mark. Ipanema Queen boasts plenty of strong juvenile form particularly when landing two Listed contests including one over C&D last summer. She is well clear on official ratings, but wouldn't welcome too much rain. Dylan Browne McMonagle is an eye-catching booking for Bad Boy Rizz, who was just over a length behind the selection last time, while the lightly-raced Focaccia could be lively in first-time cheekpieces for Fozzy Stack.
Prediction : 1st Allsortz 2nd Ipanema Queen 3rd Bad Boy Rizz

Joseph O'Brien has landed two of the last three renewals of this staying test and is well represented again. There are no doubts over this trip for his EMIT, who was just over two lengths behind star-stayer Scandinavia when third in Listed company at Navan last month. Stable companion Yulia enjoyed cut in the ground in France and didn't have a clear run when fifth on Irish debut at Sligo. There is much more in her locker and she could be well handicapped off a mark of 87. Factual Fact is one that could exploit a light weight for a share of prize money. Perry Mason's course form merits respect, but he is unproven over this sort of trip.
Prediction : 1st Emit 2nd Yulia 3rd Factual Fact

A chance is taken on the debutante PORTERS CORNER who represents the in-form Paddy Twomey stable. A half-sister to a Listed winner in France, perhaps it's telling that she holds an entry in next month's Group 1 Juddmonte Irish Oaks. Her fellow newcomer Possum is respected but those with form might well emerge as the biggest dangers with the once-raced Pleased likely to improve on her Limerick effort. Her trainer also runs the more experienced Arrietty, who looked to run her best race to date when second to subsequent winner Glyfada at Naas. I Hope You Dance has a couple of runner-up finishes to her name and she too put up a career best when chasing home a much higher-rated rival at Cork last time.
Prediction : 1st Porters Corner 2nd Pleased 3rd I Hope You Dance

JON RIGGENS might well record a fourth success at this track. He hasn't been beaten all that far in two recent starts and was noted making good late headway when a never-nearer sixth last time. Billy Lee takes over in the saddle for the first time and the forecast rain should present the eight-year-old with his ideal racing conditions. Kitty Bear drops back in distance after scoring over an extended 7f at Roscommon, while Gegenpressing is the other recent winner lining up after his success at Sligo. Any ease in the ground would be in their favour too and it would also suit Lady Mary Heath, who had the selection behind her when going very close over further here in April.
Prediction : 1st Jon Riggens 2nd Lady Mary Heath 3rd Kitty Bear