UK Horse Racing Tips: Curragh

Bear On The Run continued her upward trajectory when making a winning handicap bow over C&D last month and a hat-trick cannot be dismissed. Although a 2lb rise is unlikely to prevent another bold showing from the three-year-old, the battle-hardened COUL ANGEL is more appealing. Mick Appleby's gelding arrives on the back of two creditable efforts in defeat in competitive York sprints and compensation may beckon. Reopposing winner Sondad is 5lb worse off with the selection after finishing a length ahead, but warrants respect given his triumph here in July. Keke and Genesis are others of interest.
Prediction : 1st Coul Angel 2nd Bear On The Run 3rd Sondad

Leopardstown maiden winner STAR OF STATE took a step forward to hit the woodwork in the Lowther at last month's Ebor Festival, and she's likely to take all the beating on these terms. Atlantic Bridge is rated 12lb lower than the selection but is probably still the main threat following a convincing win at Navan. It's interesting that Karl Burke opts to send two here, though Mehmas Star appears to be his leading hope after a debut full of promise at Carlisle.
Prediction : 1st Star Of State 2nd Atlantic Bridge 3rd Mehmas Star

Phoenix Stakes heroine SUN GODDESS met all sorts of trouble in the Harry's Half Million at the Ebor Festival but it made no difference to the result, as she scythed through the field to record a resounding success. Stepping up to 7f should be no issue at all for the daughter of Sioux Nation, who can show her class once again to enhance an ever-improving CV. Green Empress has chased home the selection twice this season before gaining a deserved success in the Debutante over C&D, and she is undoubtedly the main threat. Dancing Destiny (second) and Alpha (third) are others to note.
Prediction : 1st Sun Goddess 2nd Green Empress 3rd Dancing Destiny

TIME FOR SANDALS was desperately unlucky in the Nunthorpe and would have gone very close had she secured a clear passage, but can gain compensation on this occasion. Harry Eustace's filly does have something to find with the July Cup winner Comanche Brave, though, and will need to be at the top of her game again. Starlust (second) and Rumstar (third) finished ahead of the selection on the Knavesmire and neither can be underestimated but nor can Night Raider, who should be well suited by this course and distance.
Prediction : 1st Time For Sandals 2nd Comanche Brave 3rd Starlust

Monogram's debut win over this C&D could be the precursor to bigger things. The son of Kingman needs a big step forward in this much deeper event, but he might well possess the quality to do just that. However, both the Futurity Stakes winner GIANT SEQUOIA and Haffner, who impressed when winning the Acomb at York, have more proven credentials. The former is already a dual track-and-trip winner and boasts the stronger profile at this stage. The Vintage Stakes scorer Dr Rascal is another must for consideration.
Prediction : 1st Giant Sequoia 2nd Haffner 3rd Monogram

The glaring omission on the resume of SCANDINAVIA is a win at the Curragh and the high-class son of Justify is strongly fancied to put that right here. Having only tasted defeat once in his last nine starts, this four-time Group 1 winner is very hard to oppose after adding the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot and another Goodwood Cup to his portfolio. Jan Brueghel and Queenstown are high-calibre stable companions of last year's St Leger winner and boast solid credentials. However, Trustyourinstinct is highly consistent and he could be a bigger danger.
Prediction : 1st Scandinavia 2nd Trustyourinstinct 3rd Jan Brueghel

This revolves around Oaks heroine THUNDERING ON, who failed to replicate that performance when fourth in the Pretty Polly over track and trip in June. The daughter of Frankel was reportedly coughing post-race, so if she reproduces anything like her scintillating victory at Epsom, she could prove a very tough nut to crack. Lilt failed to land a blow in the Prix de Diane last time, but this is just her fourth career start and there is likely to be more under the bonnet. Of the remainder, Jennifer Jane makes the most appeal.
Prediction : 1st Thundering On 2nd Lilt 3rd Jennifer Jane

High Degree has been a model of consistency this season, finishing in the top three in five out of his six starts, and should go well once again in first-time blinkers. Irish Cambridgeshire runner-up Manton Bay is likely to be in the shake-up, but the one who appeals most is ALPHONSUS LIGUORI. Joseph O'Brien's colt successfully made it two wins from three appearances over a mile at Cork in July and this step up in trip promises to unlock further improvement. An opening mark of 90 might not be beyond him and he looks the one to side with.
Prediction : 1st Alphonsus Liguori 2nd High Degree 3rd Manton Bay