Curragh Racing Tips

John Quinn sends MR WAGYU over to Irish Racing HQ to contest this premier handicap. A debutant on Irish soil, this seven-year-old has been in terrific order of late, firstly scoring in the Epsom dash before finishing a good fourth at Royal Ascot. Renowned for doing his best work in June and July, it would not be a surprise to see this 14 time winner go close on his Irish excursion.

MOONEISTA was last seen chasing home Nature Strip in the King Stand at Royal Ascot, a solid fourth in that burn up over five furlongs, this daughter of Dandy Man is kept at the trip for this Group Two. The winner of this contest last year in similar conditions, she is well capable of exploiting her penalised opponents and repeating last year's success

With Emily Upjohn no longer able to make the trip because of travel issues, surely that opens the door for Royal Ascot winner MAGICAL LAGOON to earn an Irish Classic. She was talked up as Jessica Harrington's best chance of a victory at this year's Royal meeting and duly delivered to land the Ribblesdale. That puts her clear on ratings, 5lb better than her nearest rival in History, who she had well covered at Ascot. The one to beat.

Rachael Blackmore tops the bill for the Ladies Derby aboard KAZAKDORIA. Experienced over C&D and capable of staying further, this Dermot Weld trained filly is the class angle at the race, being joint top rated off a mark of 87. Back to the shorter trip and coupled with the best rider available, this daughter of Harzand looks to have a big chance in handicap company.

Jessica Harrington saddles former Curragh maiden winner DARK VEGA for this three-year-old handicap. Victorious over seven furlongs, the step up to a mile and a quarter last time looked a natural progression for this filly. Third at Roscommon, she looked to be delivering a challenge before starting to hang right in the closing stages when under pressure. She should be wiser for that experience and off the untouched handicap mark of 84, this daughter of Lope De Vega looks a big player in this heat.

HA HA HA bids for a hat trick here after back-to-back victories. Fourth on debut here in March, it took a while for the penny to drop for this daughter of Dark Angel. Deployed from the front at Listowel over a mile, she showed a great attitude and found plenty for pressure to go and break her maiden tag in early June. Up 7lbs for her win last time at Leopardstown, if she’s sent to the front again she might be hard to reel in.

A beaten favourite last time, POTAPOVA really disappointed at Newcastle. Previously a note worthy second to her Cheveley Park compatriot Bashkirova in the Group Three Princess Elizabeth Stake at Epsom, she had looked a smart miler prospect. Perhaps deserving of a second chance here in a winnable Group Two, she looks a better proposition than some of the other questionable candidates.

REGALLY BLONDE has hit the crossbar on her last two starts and looks a good chance at going close again here. Touched off by a head at Dundalk last week, if she can replicate that performance on the turf here she should have every chance of breaking her maiden tag.