UK Horse Racing Tips: Curragh

According to the market, better was expected of EAGLE ECLIPSE than a midfield finish over 5f at Cork in August and he has been given time to mature. The Blue Point colt, a half-brother to three useful winners for his trainer over this trip, looked very green throughout his introduction and it wouldn't be a surprise were he to make the necessary improvement. Major Triumph's debut third at Naas, where he split One Flash and Rejoinder, was a remote one behind a long odds-on stablemate, but the son of No Nay Never should enjoy the drier surface here. Down the field in the Goffs Million last time, Nation Blaze had previously run well in a winners' contest at Cork.
Prediction : 1st Eagle Eclipse 2nd Major Triumph 3rd Nation Blaze

LILLI'S ANGEL was gradually progressive in maidens before winning in good style at Navan earlier this month. The handicapper was impressed enough to lift her rating by 12lb and she now takes on some battle-hardened performers, but Danny McLoughlin's three-year-old may be capable of further improvement. Nouvel Espoir gained reward for his consistency when winning over C&D on his penultimate start and the ground-versatile six-year-old merits consideration again. Michael's Well found himself badly handicapped after a maiden win at two, but had plenty of rivals in arrears when behind Nouvel Espoir over track and trip and may now be approaching a competitive mark.
Prediction : 1st Lillis Angel 2nd Nouvel Espoir 3rd Michaels Well

A half-sister to City Of Troy and out of a Group 1 winner, TOGETHER NOW can gain a valuable winning bracket. The daughter of Dubawi has shown plenty of ability on all three starts and bumped into a useful prospect when turned over at a very short price at Killarney. Sounds Great is out of a 1m4f Listed winner and was having her first start since April when a little over three lengths behind the selection at Killarney. I Hope You Dance was twice runner-up over this trip in the spring and she hasn't done badly in two starts since returning from a break. Kashala showed promise on debut when a never-nearer fourth over C&D back in June.
Prediction : 1st Together Now 2nd Sounds Great 3rd I Hope You Dance

MAIRE RUA has won twice over 7f at Leopardstown and struck at Listed level last month where she was strong at the line. The daughter of Frankel is a sister to a Group 3 winner over 1m1f, so 1m on the round course is unlikely to stretch her stamina. Magna Victoria came from off the pace to make a winning debut at Listowel and should have learned plenty from that experience. Although only seventh in a Group 3 at Newmarket, Golden Ring was beaten less than two lengths and can contend for Aidan O'Brien. The Good Wife won from the front at Punchestown and similar tactics may well be employed from an inside draw.
Prediction : 1st Maire Rua 2nd Magna Victoria 3rd Golden Ring

SIRIUS doesn't appear that often but is very capable on her day, as she showed when winning this last year under her owner David Dunsdon. The Ectot mare comes into this on the back of an excellent second in the 30-runner Irish Cesarewitch here last month. Absurde is rated much higher than his stablemate, but hasn't been at his best in either code this year. Shosholoza should be better suited by the drop back in distance, given his stamina ran out in the straight last month. Successful for Aidan O'Brien in last year's Lingfield Derby Trial, Puppet Master has won over hurdles for current connections and ran respectably over 1m1f at Punchestown last month.
Prediction : 1st Sirius 2nd Absurde 3rd Shosholoza

LAMAR VALLEY showed promise in three maiden starts before a creditable fourth on her handicap debut over C&D last month. The Kevin Coleman-trained filly has scope for further improvement and the booking of Colin Keane looks significant. Nottooshabby, Dark Summit and Mr Perth are closely matched having virtually crossed the line together when filling the places behind Ballaghkeen over this trip at Navan, while Max Meridius won over hurdles this summer and reverted to the Flat in style with a wide-margin victory at Thurles.
Prediction : 1st Lamar Valley 2nd Mr Perth 3rd Max Meridius

LADY MARY HEATH caught the eye when twice finishing well to make the frame here earlier this season, including over this trip. She lost any chance with a very slow start when reappearing after a summer break earlier this month and it's best to put a line through that effort. Mythical Rock filled the runner-up spot for the fourth time this season when going down by a length at Bellewstown and Ben Coen again takes the mount. No More Porter is another to consider.
Prediction : 1st Lady Mary Heath 2nd Mythical Rock 3rd No More Porter