Horse Racing tips: Frank Hickey’s 8 fab fancies at the Curragh on Saturday

Our racing trader loves Derby Day and has given us a pick for every race on the card.

Frank Hickey Curragh Racecourse PP

By / Horse Racing Tips / 3 years ago

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14:00 Romantic Proposal

I like ROMANTIC PROPOSAL in this one. She ran a cracker in a Group 3 behind Sonaiyla earlier this month. She travelled really well there, but she also caught the eye over 5 furlongs at Naas – where she finished third behind Logo Hunter. She has good course form and she’s won some big handicap races. Romantic Proposal is progressive sort and if she gets a strong pace, it’ll suit her. She’s got a right good chance of winning this.

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14:30 More Beautiful

I’m giving MORE BEAUTIFUL, who hasn’t won in five attempts since winning on her debut a chance here. She has been running in Group company though. Two races ago, she ran well at Leopardstown over a mile in the Guineas trial behind Joan Of Arc. Joan Of Arc has gone on to finish second in the Irish 1000 Guineas and she won the French Oaks.

More Beautiful was dropped from 1m down to 6 furlongs and she travelled well at the Curragh earlier this month. I’m not sure whether she didn’t finish the race well or they quickened away from her, but I’m going to give her the benefit of the doubt. She’s running off 97 here, and Aidan O’Brien won this in 2017. Hopefully, he can do it again.

15:05 Dr Zempf

Castle Star has been very impressive in his last two wins, and they kept him at home from Ascot for this. However, DR ZEMPF won here at the start of the month on the same day that Point Lonsdale won at Ascot.

I love the way Dr Zempf travelled through that race, as he quickened away effortlessly. The third has come out since and won, and the second didn’t run too badly next time out as well. I’m really excited by him, he could be a really good one.

15:45 Wordsworth

High Definition is favourite but Hurricane Lane, who beat him in the Dante Stakes, is a much better price. My initial reaction after the Dante was that High Definition would turn that form around, but can you be that sure? So, it’s worth taking High Definition on.

The issue with Mac Swiney is the ground, when he gets soft ground he wins, but when conditions are good, it’s another story. The one I like at a potential big price is WORDSWORTH, and Aidan O’Brien has a superb record in this race. He also fits the profile of last year’s winner Santiago.

Wordsworth was a little unlucky in the Queen’s Vase, the race was steadily ran which didn’t suit him as he’s all about stamina. He’ll be ridden a bit more handy here and maybe sat in at second or third. He won’t be far off the leaders, and he can give it a right go late on.

Make-A-Challenge-wins-at-Curragh-Denis-Hogan

16:20 True Self

Even when Cadillac was beaten last year, he was beaten by Mac Swiney. Maybe at the time we were disappointed, but Mac Swiney has proven to be top-class. If he’s going to run to his best, he probably won’t be beaten, but it’s a tough one to predict.

I thought TRUE SELF ran a blinder in the Tattersalls Gold Cup considering the ground was against her and getting back to better ground will suit her. I know she’s eight, but she’s running career bests. If Cadillac isn’t fully fit, I expect True Self to take advantage.

16:50 Sinawann

SINAWANN will likely go off favourite and that’s who I like in this one. Sinawann was progressive last year, finishing sixth in the Guineas and his form overall was good. He won a Group 3 at Leopardstown and then wasn’t beaten far by Armoury at the Curragh. If he could replicate that Leopardstown form on Saturday, he’ll be hard to beat.

17:25 Hale Bopp

I really fancy HALE BOPP in this one and it’s my NAP of the weekend, I’m pretty confident he’ll win! Ger Lyons is the trainer, who has a fine record in this race and he’s had this in mind for Hale Bopp for a while. He won his second start at Dundalk over 7 furlongs and made his handicap debut at Cork in May over a mile.

He absolutely bolted up and won by two lengths, but could have won by even more. He was rated 82 then, and he’s been given 12lbs for that, so the official rating is now 94. When you look at what happened, a 12lbs rise isn’t the worst thing to happen. Hale Bopp is a completely unexposed three-year old and he’s my NAP of the day!

17:55 Arcadian Sunrise

ARCADIAN SUNRISE delivered in fine style at Punchestown in May, and he effortlessly moved through the ranks to win. He’s a live player in the Galway Hurdle and there’s a big chance he dominates here. He’s capable of getting to a high 140 over hurdles, so to be 89 on the Flat here is decent.

Frank Hickey tips summary:

14:00 Romantic Proposal
14:30 More Beautiful
15:05 Dr Zempf
15:45 Wordsworth
16:20 True Self
16:50 Sinawann
17:25 Hale Bopp
17:55 Arcadian Sunrise

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