1:30 Curragh Tips

Keke, a 5-year-old bay gelding by Dandy Man out of Destieux, trained by Edward (E.) Lynam and ridden by W. J. Lee, carries an official rating of 99 into this 6-furlong turf test at Curragh. He’s won six times from 17 career runs, including on this course and distance, so the Curragh straight is familiar territory. His most recent effort was a solid 2nd over 5f at the same track, beaten just over a length despite being slowly away??'an effort that suggests he’s fit and ready to fire. That near-miss over 5f gives him a strong base stepping back up to 6f here; the extra furlong should bring more comfort in staying power as he settles into his stride. Given his proven track record on this distance, consistent form, and top connections, Keke looks a live each-way player in a large field. Ive tipped keke a fair few times and he was an eye catcher, I think his turn of foot is something special and with 9 runs at curragh winning 3 and placing in 3 he knows the course well and if he gets daylight i think 10/1 is generous.

Kendall Roy is returning to form, judged on fourth place at York last time out. Looks capable running off last winning mark of 90. Colin Keane retains the ride today. Sure to be an asset. Former course and distance winner. Has won on soft in the past. Good draw high in stall 21.

I fancy this horse will go close today with the conditions ideal. We know we will get a very good run.

John Feane's 6 year old Mare GREEK FLOWER will appreciate the forecast Rain headed to County Kildare & looks very well treated if you look at this Daughter of AUSTRALIA's runs here at the Curragh especially in some of those big prize contests last summer off marks of 84-87 & arrives here on a mark of 76 & with top Jockey Nicola Burns keeping this girl honest I'm quite keen to see how this charge runs. Trainer has a 29.75% place strike rate here the past 5 years. Consudering this charge was only 2½ lengths off the winner in this race last year & 1¼ off todays top weighted rival (BIG GOSSEY) both on ground she wouldn't have exactly been in love with then this rematch now on probable 'Soft' ground looks very interesting - I'd prefer to be drawn a bit further wide but we can't have it all can we.

Did well to finish as close as he did here at the end of May in a 6f handicap, having suffered interference at a critical stage of the race. Duly built on that at Cork next time when a close 2nd, stepping up to 7f, but was then slightly disappointing here, back over an extended 6f. Much better last time over this C&D when 2nd and holds decent claims if getting the breaks in a big field.

Ran a blinder in a competitive handicap at Ripon last time getting blindsided by one right over the other side but won his side well. Ran on well under this pilot and he is well worth his 7lb claim here. Goes well off a strong pace and yard in decent nick with a couple of winners in recent days. Good draw and big chance if ground continues to dry out.

Remains unexposed off this mark, and although there's a question mark on the ground, has to be in the mix with 6 places on offer.

This season has been inconsistent for him, yet he delivered one of his better performances by finishing a respectable 2nd in a handicap at Naas 41 days ago, despite having much to overcome. He will be in the mix in this big field, which generally presents more opportunities for placing. He looks like a solid each-way bet at 16/1.

CARLA RIDGE was sent to the Group 1 Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot earlier this year presumably highly regarded by connections. Her subsequent Stakes race efforts have been sound and she is interesting from her high draw in this sprint making handicap debut proven on this type of ground.

Gazelle Dor is an interesting looking contender, arrives with some of the best recent form. 3 runs at this course so far and she won 2 of those , the 2 wins were at 5f and 6f on ground conditions similar to today's. She is running form a higher mark than her last win here but she's proven she can run well from this sort of rating , good effort from a mark of 84 last time, runs from a lower mark today of 82 so she could get competitive. Over 20 runners in this so they will all need a bit of luck in running. Small each-way tip for today's NAP selection , extra places available this race.

Jon Riggens has a very good record here at the Curragh. He has several wins and placed efforts here and looks a sound each way bet at attractive odds.

Tropical Retreat won over course and distance last time. Despite a rise in her mark, she is still two pounds out of the handicap. However, the three-year-old filly could run well near the far rail from stall 2, with her apprentice jockey taking off seven pounds.

This C/D winner can never be discounted when running @ their favourite track. Is 7/42 here, but plenty other good efforts here as well. Has been running well of late, including @ Grp2/3 level off higher marks than today's 104, so must be well treated in this handicap. Good apprentice back up claiming 3lb and very good trainer best here with his 4yo plus last 5 seasons @ 15 percent with a Lsp of 69.46, making current 28/1 very good Ew value in the race.

He won 2 of his first 3 starts including a Listed race on heavy ground so conditions won't faze him today. He has been continually pitched at a very high level and although this is again a bigger field to contend with, the ground being in his favour could bring a good run.

His best run came with a 7-length win over 6f at Naas in a big 17-runner field. He is still 9 lbs higher today, but he has dropped 4 lbs since his last run due to a last-placed Listed race when racing over too short and too fast a ground over 6f last time out. He will enjoy soft ground and could run well at big odds.

This lightly raced 3yo looks a dark horse in this. A convincing maiden winner moved into handicaps. His last race here looks good form to me in the context of today's race at least. He drops from a mile down to six furlongs, and that last race form indicates to me that it is a sensible move. Racing with just 8st 7lbs for good connections looks good value to win this, as he is likely to be on a lenient mark with improvement taken into account since last seen. Has experience racing in big fields and at the Curragh too, so should not be underestimated.