UK Horse Racing Tips: Curragh

GIANT SEQUOIA finished behind Bull Shark over C&D, but should benefit considerably from that experience and can turn the form around. By Frankel and out of Oaks runner-up Pink Dogwood, he was beaten at short odds on debut but finished his race off notably well. Bull Shark is capable, but had prior experience ahead of the aforementioned maiden and was well held in the Coventry Stakes last week. Ballydoyle second string Oklahoma has a top pedigree, while Venetian Power is out of a winning half-sister to a juvenile Listed winner.
Prediction : 1st Giant Sequoia 2nd Bull Shark 3rd Oklahoma

CONFUCIUS was the beaten favourite in last week's Coventry Stakes, but nonetheless ran solidly and can make a quick winning reappearance. Out of a Cheveley Park Stakes-winning dam, the son of No Nay Never had no excuses at Royal Ascot but was only beaten a length and three-quarters in that hot contest. Ballinea Star was quite green on her initial two starts before scoring at Cork and steps up in grade, while stablemate Immortal Guard finished third to the Coventry winner in the Marble Hill and can figure. Mr Predicted is from the first crop of his American sire and was purchased for 300,000 dollars in March.
Prediction : 1st Confucius 2nd Ballinea Star 3rd Immortal Guard

MERIDEN has a fine Juddmonte pedigree so can continue to progress and has an obvious chance of completing a four-timer. Out of a Group-placed dam who has already produced a stakes performer, Denis Hogan's filly was purchased for 32,000gns as a two-year-old and while she has twice shown a tendency to hang left under pressure, she seemed well suited by this course when scoring earlier in the month. Rion Rubette is chasing a hat-trick but would prefer easier ground, while Greydreambeliever has twice finished runner-up to that rival in recent months, although she has prior form on fast ground. She's Too Kool has shown nice ability in smart races and debuts in handicaps.
Prediction : 1st Meriden 2nd Rion Rubette 3rd Greydreambeliever

SUN GODDESS was a fine second in last week's Albany Stakes and while she makes a quick reappearance, she is perfectly suited by conditions. Out of an unraced half-sister to a Group 3 winner, she looked smart when scoring over C&D and backed that up at Ascot, finishing second of 25 in a hot contest. Velozee has also smart form and although she disappointed at Naas in May, she ran satisfactorily in last week's Queen Mary and goes back up in trip. Controlla was Group 3-placed on debut, but was well held in last week's Windsor Castle Stakes.
Prediction : 1st Sun Goddess 2nd Velozee 3rd Controlla

THUNDERING ON has improved massively since stepping up in trip from a mile as she broke her maiden tag in the Salsabil at Navan before taking another giant step forward when a very impressive winner of the Oaks. The manner in which she quickened up at Epsom suggests the return to 1m2f will pose no problems for Joseph O'Brien's filly, who appears to have the world at her feet. Estrange boasts some excellent form against the likes of Minnie Hauk and Kalpana. She will appreciate any rain in the forecast and commands the utmost respect. Red Letter and One Look complete the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Thundering On 2nd Estrange 3rd Red Letter

FIXATION wasn't disgraced over C&D in May and gets the vote in this open-looking handicap on suitably fast ground. The handicapper dropped him 1lb for that effort and the addition of cheekpieces are likely to aid his cause. Diamond Exchange should appreciate a return to a sounder surface, having disappointed on soft ground at Leopardstown recently, while able handicapper Clear Quartz is respected after finishing second on his return at Leopardstown.
Prediction : 1st Fixation 2nd Diamond Exchange 3rd Clear Quartz

THE PIPER'S CALL was runner-up at big odds on his debut last June and that race has thrown up many smart winners, with Puerto Rico (fourth) later scoring twice at Group 1 level. The selection underperformed at Naas in July but did well to win over C&D recently following a 333-day layoff and is expected to have more to come. Fox In Flight was beaten by a subsequent winner at Cork recently and reverts back up in trip, while another three-year-old Unauthorized is 7lb higher than when scoring at Listowel.
Prediction : 1st The Pipers Call 2nd Fox In Flight 3rd Unauthorized

STARBORN LEGEND didn't get a clear passage when finishing sixth over C&D recently and can turn placings around with Tide Of Fortune and Trek Home. Out of an unraced half-sister to two Group 1 winners and by a leading stallion, the selection was purchased for 330,000 euro at a Breeze-Up sale last June and is entitled to improve from his initial debut effort. Tide Of Fortune himself met some trouble in-running when finishing a useful runner-up on that occasion, but is potentially vulnerable to the selection.
Prediction : 1st Starborn Legend 2nd Tide Of Fortune 3rd Trek Home