UK Horse Racing Tips: Curragh

Blue-blooded ALPHA ran notably well on debut earlier this month. By Sea The Stars and out of top racemare Alpha Centauri, the Aidan O'Brien-trained youngster showed inexperience when missing the break, but was a strong finisher and looks sure to improve. Livenka hasn't raced since being well touted for her Naas introduction in April, when she ran well in a hot maiden won by last week's Queen Mary winner Victorious. She is a half-sister to her yard's Group 1-winning juvenile Babouche and while her lack of a recent outing isn't ideal, she holds a Moyglare Stud Stakes entry. Endless Night is a sister to last week's Jersey Stakes-winning stablemate Thesecretadversary.
Prediction : 1st Alpha 2nd Livenka 3rd Endless Night

GAZELLE D'OR has joint-top weight in a competitive handicap, but has good form lines and is suited by conditions. Initially rated just 70, she has progressed really well and got closest to Mission Central at Naas last month, prior to that horse winning the King Charles III at Royal Ascot last week. Likedbymike was herself beaten less than a length by Mission Central in April and although she finished a close second in a recent Listed race at Cork, she has a fraction to find with the selection on that Naas meeting in May. Erosandpsyche finished third in the aforementioned Cork race, while English runner Toca Madera scored very easily at Doncaster but is now 11lb higher.
Prediction : 1st Gazelle Dor 2nd Likedbymike 3rd Erosandpsyche

TANGO FLARE is better suited by today's likely good ground than regular rival and fan favourite Big Gossey, and comes here in good form. The pair have raced against each other nine times and while the selection was beaten in the first seven meetings, he has finished ahead the last twice and scored over this trip at Fairyhouse recently. Veteran nine-time course winner Big Gossey is holding his form very well and finished second in the Greenlands here last month. Colin Keane notably gets down to a light weight to ride Silk Braid and although she hasn't raced since April and is an inexperienced three-year-old, she is capable of further progression. Another youngster Tahcawin has progressed well recently.
Prediction : 1st Tango Flare 2nd Big Gossey 3rd Silk Braid

PRETTY OMAGH GIRL lacks a little experience competing against more battle-hardened rivals but she won easily over C&D on handicap debut last month. Out of a well-related American stakes-placed mare, the selection built on three maiden runs when making all in the aforementioned contest and, despite a 10lb rise, she can progress further. Slieve Binnian followed up last year's win in this race with another Premier Handicap success last July and while his rating has climbed, it wouldn't be a surprise to see him run well. Zarathos has been running consistently well in England and connections have booked the services of Dylan Browne McMonagle.
Prediction : 1st Pretty Omagh Girl 2nd Slieve Binnian 3rd Zarathos

PURVIEW can take another step up the ladder after a couple of Listed wins. He was very impressive on his return to action here last month in the Orby Stakes and looks to have really blossomed as a four-year-old. That came over 1m4f but dropping back a couple of furlongs shouldn't be an issue for Dermot Weld's colt. On ratings, Hotazhell is the danger and the Group 1 winner commands plenty of respect. He looked like he had come to win his race last time at Navan but ran around in the closing stages and was nabbed late on by Isaac Newton. Cheekpieces are fitted now and he can reverse that form.
Prediction : 1st Purview 2nd Hotazhell 3rd Isaac Newton

This looks like a nice opportunity for ALCANTOR to get back to winning ways. The New Bay entire was placed in the French Guineas a couple of years ago and has some high-class form. He ran a solid enough race when fourth on his debut for Joseph O'Brien at Leopardstown and 7f may have been a bit sharp for him behind subsequent Queen Anne hero Ten Bob Tony last time at Epsom. Tokenomics was in front of the selection at Leopardstown last month, when chasing home Catalina Delcarpio. He's a solid performer and is an obvious danger. Duckadilly won at this level in Navan three weeks ago and is another for the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Alcantor 2nd Tokenomics 3rd Duckadilly

Aidan O'Brien retains the faith in BENVENUTO CELLINI and he can leave behind a disappointing, and controversial, 'non-run' at Epsom. The Frankel colt had his leg up on the side of the stalls as they opened and, after missing the kick as a result, finished well beaten after being hampered as well. The soft ground that day may not have been ideal either and, on better going now, the impressive Chester Vase winner can show his true colours. Derby winner Christmas Day looks a real out-and-out galloper and stamina is his forte. He could play a big role again, while Epsom third James J Braddock also has to be respected, especially given his antics pre-race. Raaheeb is the unknown quantity in the race and a potential improver trying this trip for the first time.
Prediction : 1st Benvenuto Cellini 2nd Christmas Day 3rd James J Braddock

ANTIGUA produced a fine front-running performance when winning his maiden at Fairyhouse earlier in the month and looks capable of following up now sent into handicaps. The Camelot colt had produced a couple of solid efforts previously and the combination of blinkers and a tongue-tie seemed to work well last time. Bobby Mcgee has had a terrific season to date, completing a hat-trick at Naas last month. He has a bit more on his plate now but is respected nonetheless. How'sthebai was a cosy winner at Leopardstown last time and is another to consider, despite a 9lb hike for that victory.
Prediction : 1st Antigua 2nd Bobby Mcgee 3rd Howsthebai

FACTUAL FACT can land this valuable prize. The Authorized gelding clipped heels and stumbled shortly after the start here last time and he raced keenly as a result. He pulled his way to the front, but still looked the likely winner when kicking a few lengths clear passing the two-furlong marker. Poetic Sound wore him down eventually, but it was a fine run given the circumstances and dropping back in trip should be no problem. The Real Screamer arrives here in search of a hat-trick and must be respected along with Obscenity, who is also in fine form.
Prediction : 1st Factual Fact 2nd The Real Screamer 3rd Obscenity