16:15 Friendly @ 11/8
Ballydoyle’s juveniles look to be more forward than usual on their first starts so FRIENDLY can be expected to be pretty straight, her full-sister Wonderfully won over this trip on her debut.
Jessica Harrington’s Windsor Pass and Dermot Weld’s A Ma Chere look the dangers on breeding, though the latter is likely to need further in time. Takeko has an advantage of a previous run and a quite encouraging one at that.
16:45 Alex D
An intriguing clash here between two colts who showed plenty of promise on their respective debuts. ALEX D comes from a yard with a 36% strike rate with two-year-olds and he really finished his race off well over this trip at Naas in what looked a strong maiden.
He gets the vote over Merchants Quay, whose second to a smart type at this venue over shorter looks equally good form. Market support for Paddy Twomey’s Arctician could be interesting but he would have to be pretty smart to overcome this pair.
17:15 Bearberry
There were a lot of positives to be taken from the debut BEARBERRY (NAP) posted at Leopardstown and if she can take a step forward from that she could be difficult to beat.
Stablemate Chasing The Dawn is good enough to win a maiden while Assurance, Grenadine and She’s Our Queen are also interesting.
17:45 Ming Warrior @ 15/2
A maiden with plenty of strength in depth. Agitare is the obvious starting point, having mixed in good company and with an official rating of 100.
However, he could prove vulnerable back in trip here and preference is for MING WARRIOR, who looked to be crying out for this extra furlong when a strong-finishing second at Gowran. Mr Wendell had The Rain King behind when second over this trip at Naas and rates a big threat.
18:15 Shamiyna
A competitive fillies maiden with marginal preference for SHAMIYNA following a narrow defeat over this trip at Leopardstown.
Thunder Kiss didn’t deliver on strong market support at Gowran on debut but ran quite green and was knocked about, so could well improve enough for that experience to go close. Oh So True, Aunt Bee and Theophile have all shown enough promise to win races.
18:45 Gee Rex
Joseph O’Brien has a strong hand with GEE REX and Capel At Dawn likely to be at the head of the betting.
Gee Rex may be a maiden, but appears to be getting his act together and has more than enough ability to win a race like this. Love Bracelet and at a bigger price Bellakris are others to note.
19:15 Faire Croire
A very open handicap in which a chance is taken on FAIRE CROIRE finding further improvement from a snug maiden win at Gowran, this being only her third start. Likely dangers include the equally unexposed Lynn Britt Cabin and top-weight Auxilia.
19:45 Politicise
An interesting race to close the card with Willie Mullins’ duo Foveros and Sayo, who showed good form over hurdles, of major interest on their return to the level.
But, POLITICISE could be worth chancing at a bigger price. He ran well on his return at Fairyhouse and should stay well. Lyrical Attraction and Isotope are others to note.
* Prices on our snazzy new bet widget are bang up to date.
Curragh tips summary:
16:15 Friendly
16:45 Alex D
17:15 Bearberry
17:45 Ming Warrior
18:15 Shamiyna
18:45 Gee Rex
19:15 Faire Croire
19:45 Politicise
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