UK Horse Racing Tips: Curragh

This has the makings of a very decent maiden. PORTO VECCHIO catches the eye for Dermot Weld as a full-brother to the stable's Irish 1,000 Guineas winner Homeless Songs. The son of Frankel has significant big-race entries and it is worth noting that his sister was good enough to win on her racecourse debut. Aidan O'Brien is going for five in a row in this contest and fields three newcomers in Speakers Corner, Victory Speech and Drumbeat with preference for the former as Ryan Moore's pick. All of these Wootton Bassett colts hold the same Group 1 entries, so a market check is imperative. Johnny Murtagh's Fort Dearborn is more than capable of a good showing too.
Prediction : 1st Porto Vecchio 2nd Speakers Corner 3rd Victory Speech

VISHAYA made a bold bid off the front over an extended mile at Killarney during the week before finishing second. She could be the one to follow down in trip on a quick turnaround for an in-form team. Nautic Star was a solid third over further at this track last month and is likely to contend for honours. Aidan O'Brien's Pink Coral takes a drop in trip on her fourth start and, if improvement is forthcoming, she would have to be feared as a half-sister to a Group 3 winner. Rebel Wave was just pipped by a head at Limerick but encounters much faster ground, while Stooked and Otsana are interesting newcomers well worth a market check.
Prediction : 1st Vishaya 2nd Nautic Star 3rd Pink Coral

Paddy Twomey's ONE LOOK loves the Curragh with form figures of '1121242' and her runner-up berth behind Estrange in the Group 1 Pretty Polly over C&D is the standout piece of form on offer. She won this race last year and is a big player for further glory. Nyra, who was a Group 3 winner in Germany last year, looks to be coming to the boil in Ireland after a close second in the Group 3 Munster Oaks at Cork. Moody is in terrific form and looks a very useful second string to the selection on her step up in class. Francophone is down in class in a bid to spark her back into winning ways, but has plenty to find on official ratings.
Prediction : 1st One Look 2nd Nyra 3rd Moody

Bought out of William Haggas' yard in the autumn, HEADMASTER has already recouped his purchase price of 48,000gns after a win here in May and a fine second over 7f at Cork last month. He's up another 3lb for that latest run, but there should be more to come from the superbly-bred four-year-old, who is by Dubawi out of three-time Prix de la Foret winner One Master. Dark Ace is also progressive and, after a profitable spring campaign in Britain, was a closing third over 5f here on Derby weekend behind Genesis. He'll be suited by stepping back up in distance. Prolific handicap winners in Britain, Dark Thirty and Sondad have to enter calculations too.
Prediction : 1st Headmaster 2nd Dark Ace 3rd Dark Thirty

Donnacha O'Brien trains July Cup winner Comanche Brave and HAVANA ANNA is another smart sprinter in his yard. She's had two good runs over 6f this term, a Group 3 success at Naas before finishing fourth in the Commonwealth Cup, but the minimum distance won't be a problem for her as shown by her smart juvenile form. She has been supplemented for this Group 2, so has clearly gone the right way since Royal Ascot. There was virtually nothing between Rosy Affair and Jakajaro when they narrowly missed out on a first three-finish in the King Charles III Stakes over 5f at the Royal meeting, and both are major players here.
Prediction : 1st Havana Anna 2nd Rosy Affair 3rd Jakajaro

The three main protagonists are identically rated, but CARRY THE FLAG looks to have the strongest claims. He had Immortal Guard over a length behind when second over C&D to the subsequent Coventry Stakes winner in May and, after a disappointing display himself at the Royal meeting, bounced back to win at Listed level at Naas. He needed every yard to get up close home over 5f that day, and connections feel he'll be suited by stepping back up to this trip. After finishing a fair sixth in the Coventry, the selection's stablemate Confucius was too keen when turned over at short odds here on Derby weekend where he finished third, a head behind runner-up Immortal Guard.
Prediction : 1st Carry The Flag 2nd Confucius 3rd Immortal Guard

Connections of INIS MOR can be rewarded for stumping up a 50,000-euro supplementary fee. The daughter of Galiway just denied Earth Shot at Goodwood before finishing third in the French Oaks over an extended 1m2f. She is bred to appreciate this step up in trip. Thundering On must be respected on her impressive win in the Oaks, with Sugar Island, Cameo and Amelia Earhart all well behind. However, the form of that race hasn't been well advertised since and she was subsequently only fourth here in the Pretty Polly Stakes.
Prediction : 1st Inis Mor 2nd Thundering On 3rd Earth Shot

VANIR beat all bar Saga Gaga (won again since) at Gowran before stepping up to 1m4f and overcoming some trouble in running to score at Fairyhouse. The Johnny Murtagh-trained filly should have further scope for improvement. Yousaynothingatall easily made all on soft ground at Cork and the form of her third in a Listed race at Leopardstown has worked out well since. Noble Honour had Tanzanite Diamond and Trustmore behind when filling the runner-up spot behind Antigua at Fairyhouse.
Prediction : 1st Vanir 2nd Yousaynothingatall 3rd Noble Honour

REAL ENCOUNTER had Namiid four lengths back in third when showing good pace throughout to take a Dundalk maiden over this trip in April. The selection has performed with credit since in handicaps, including when runner-up over C&D, and is now fitted with cheekpieces for the first time. Happy Henry has won over this distance at both Navan and Bellewstown this season and is respected, while Sovereign Cry had a number of these rivals behind when successful at Naas.
Prediction : 1st Real Encounter 2nd Sovereign Cry 3rd Happy Henry