4:50 Curragh Tips

Has improved over the winter since sent chasing, returning to the flat from only a pound lower than the one he was placed from at the Galway Festival in 2022. He has only run on the flat once in the interim, so it is interesting that connections are happy to bring him back to the level for this assignment.

Robbies Rock has become very consistent both over hurdles and on the flat. He has won two of his 14 starts and been in the first 4 on 7 other occasions. Second in the Fred Winter at Cheltenham, he has returned to the flat with a 4th place finish over an inadequate 1m4f at Tipperary last month and then was second at Killarney two weeks ago. 1m6f on rain-softened ground should be perfect, and he looks a good each-way bet with 6 places on offer.

NATURALLY NIMBLE was last seen in a novice hurdle at Punchestown early this month where he wore first-time cheekpieces and finished 3rd of 12 behind Casheldale Lad. Prior to that, he ran in 3 class 1 hurdles at Aintree, Leopardstown, and Fairyhouse, but today we are back on the level. He has run 7 times on the flat and was successful in the last of those over 10f at Navan in September. He kept on well that day, which is an indication that this big step up in trip could be in his favor. The trainer runs 2 in the race, and 1 of those will likely win.

This is the trainer's only entry he's got out today as they are stepping it up in trip slightly with the same 3lbs claimer on board. Worth a small each-way saver bet for the 6 places available.

No comment made

Though this is certainly tougher for Molly Hall today, carrying another 7lb penalty, whilst she is in such good form, it may pay to stick with her to run another big race. If she gets the luck in running here today, she could certainly be involved in the finish and possibly gain the hat-trick of wins under her 3lb claimer.

Last run was fair, only just over three lengths fourth behind Not Just Any Eagle. Was running on from 3f out, has been steadily improving and consistent, so each way chance as six places on offer.

Last time out winner and up in the weights, that win was also on the All Weather at Dundalk. Did also win a maiden at Fairyhouse but has never won with this jockey who has ridden it 3 times previously.

Very competitive race and I believe I tipped this LTO at Killarney when it was chasing a spread-out hat-trick. Only came 7th that day over 2m 1f and was looking quite competitive for most of the race, but kicked a bit too early IMO and got passed by a couple and kind of gave up in the last half furlong and dropped to 7th. Back down in trip today and this looks a decent EW even though this is my win tip, but I do believe it can win this race today.

Money around for the Harrington runner who makes her reappearance here. Lightly raced last year but won her maiden in July with plenty of subsequent winners coming out of that race and is worth an each way bet for 6 places.

Not Just Any Eagle might be capable of running a very big race here. The selection won last time at Leopardstown, and though she is untried over this trip, she might well stay this far. She will have no problem with the ground here and might well get this race run to suit.

Good 1m6f premier handicap with many potential candidates and looks pretty wide open really. The Mediator runs for Gordon Elliott. Bottom weight running off a mark of 69 and Keithen Kennedy claims a 5lbs allowance. Useful sort who strangely often seems to have a break between November and May. Ran well in maiden hurdle contests last year and also put in a good fourth behind Busselton in a 20 runner handicap on the Flat at Galway last season. Ran in this contest last year but was slowly away. Probably capable of winning a race of this nature from a low mark. Blinkers applied and they have suited over hurdles.

Scatchwah finished 5th of eight in a 12f handicap at Dundalk about 7 weeks ago. That run was on the AW track at Dundalk. If he can improve and transfer his skills to the grass, then he stands a chance today for an EW place.

Dark Oak has been in the money without winning seven times but was sixth in a handicap last time out. As a result, she has dropped 3 lbs, so could be worth an EW with 6P on offer.

Last Ammo is a 6-year-old gelding making a stable debut for Laura Hourigan. He is 2/22 wins, so hardly prolific, but is ground versatile and will definitely stay today's 14f, having won over 16.5f at Galway off 76. He was raised a whopping 14lb to 90 but has fallen a bit in the weights since and runs today off 82, so he has a fighting chance. He has run in this race in the past two years, and it wouldn't be a surprise if Last Ammo went close under Billy Lee, which looks like a notable jockey booking.

Won 2 of his last 3. Placed in 3 of the last 4 races. Bigger field here, but this one has navigated big fields before in Irish races. Each way.

Left Willie Mullins after just the one win, but had some good runs without winning. Won on the flat when in France and makes debut for new stable today back on the flat over this 1m 6f trip, which could relight the spark after being pulled up LTO in March.

Turned out again quickly after running only nine days ago, finishing 9th of 14 in a lady riders' race over a maybe inadequate 1m 4f on fast good (good to firm in places) ground with a rating of 73. Step up to 1m 6f today will suit on an easier surface with the rating down to 70. Cheekpieces go on for the first time under a new jockey.