UK Horse Racing Tips: Curragh

Champion Basma improved from his debut to finish a close second over C&D. He can make his presence felt, while Kindacan made an encouraging start here prior to disappointing at Dundalk and she could have a say. However, a chance is taken on ALFREDO DELGADO. Eric McNamara's charge performed with some credit in a Listowel maiden on debut and with that run under his belt and Colin Keane an eye-catching booking, he gets the nod. Captain James Cook, Tavernise and the newcomers Jabreen and Aztec Chief are others to note.
Prediction : 1st Alfredo Delgado 2nd Kindacan 3rd Champion Basma

UNIQUE JOURNEY won last year's renewal and may well repeat the dose in an open sprint. The ready winner on that occasion, the son of Caravaggio can effectively race off a lower mark with Terry Casey's allowance taken into account, and drops back to his preferred 6f trip. Dmaniac drops in both class and distance and could go well at likely big price, while Moltophino arrives in fine fettle and could be thereabouts at the finish again. The latter is preferred to Nouvel Espoir and Smoke Them Out, who are closely matched on recent form.
Prediction : 1st Unique Journey 2nd Dmaniac 3rd Moltophino

The front-running Lunar Empress sets the standard here with a rating of 86. She rallied gamely last time under Shane Foley and commands plenty of respect. Belicoso had valid excuses last time and comes here under Dylan Browne McMonagle in a first-time visor, which may see him go closer at the fifth attempt. A tentative vote goes to MAXIMILIEN LUCE, who was well-beaten on debut, but he was caught on the wing that day and didn't appear to be in love with the ground. Being by St Mark's Basilica, he will appreciate faster conditions and should take a marked step forward on this occasion.
Prediction : 1st Maximilien Luce 2nd Belicoso 3rd Lunar Empress

Despite the big field there is a lack of winning course form. No More Porter is the sole contender that fits the bill having won here three times previously, but the latest of those victories came back in 2024. Three-year-old SUIR MONAD attempts to concede weight all round. He was raised 7lb after scoring in decisive fashion at Killarney, but that was only his second start in a handicap and the son of Dark Angel may well have more to offer. Navajo Point has won two of his last three starts, both at Gowran Park, and enters calculations along with the likes of Khormor Syd, Nibras Rainbow and Mare Crisium.
Prediction : 1st Suir Monad 2nd Navajo Point 3rd No More Porter

Ulster Derby runner-up PIERRE GROSSE can get off the mark on his 12th attempt. Out of a half-sister to St Leger-winner Masked Marvel, he has finished second four times to date, including at Thurles last week, and this appears to be an excellent opportunity on paper. Almazann has shown a fair level of ability and looks the obvious threat to the selection, while useful hurdler Starting Fifteen is a fascinating contender switching to the level for the first time.
Prediction : 1st Pierre Grosse 2nd Almazann 3rd Starting Fifteen

Six-time winner GRANN'S BOY has been running well over hurdles and is useful on the Flat. The six-year-old won a Listed hurdle at the Galway Festival in August and while he hasn't raced in this sphere since March, he finished second at Navan and had previously won over today's trip last October. Nicky Larson has improved over hurdles recently and while reverting to the level with a favourable rating as a progressive three-year-old, he does have his stamina to prove. Glittering Gem ran well on her first attempt at this trip at Thurles last week, but does have a wide draw to contend with in stall 24.
Prediction : 1st Granns Boy 2nd Nicky Larson 3rd Glittering Gem

HAPPY HENRY holds obvious claims in this open-looking handicap. A dual winner, the selection has been running consistently well recently and has form with cut in the ground. Stablemate Steel Magnolia has a similar profile and has also won twice at this distance. She had met trouble in-running behind the selection at Bellewstown in July and, being a soft-ground winner, should also be competitive from her rating. Both Harry's Hill and Mary Shoelaces are each three-time C&D winners and while they have solid claims on best form, wouldn't want conditions to become too testing.
Prediction : 1st Happy Henry 2nd Steel Magnolia 3rd Harrys Hill

SHE'S ON THE BALL has progressed recently and is well suited by this distance. She was a fast-finishing second at Listowel last month and, being a three-year-old, is likely to have further improvement to come. Givehertilxmas is 6lb higher than when scoring at Bellewstown last month and would be ideally suited by any easing of ground conditions. Last year's winner Loingseoir is 1lb lower today and ran well when runner-up here just 11 days ago.
Prediction : 1st Shes On The Ball 2nd Givehertilxmas 3rd Loingseoir