Curragh Racecourse: Preview and tips for Thursday’s eight-race meeting

Today is the third last race meeting of the year at the Curragh, and the card sports three maidens and five handicaps.

Read on for a preview of and tips for the Curragh card, brought to you by BetBrothers.

We kick off with a six-furlong juveniles’ maiden (13.02). Champion Basma was only beaten half a length last time and could make further progress now, bred to do well on the softer ground we have today. The others with form are harder to make a case for, so it’s the debutants we need to watch out for, with Jessica Harrington’s Bajan Bambi looking exciting and she should handle conditions.

Next is a six-furlong handicap (13.37). Nouvel Espoir is best on ground like this but is up eight pounds in the handicap this time, so will have to pull a career best. He is a course and distance winner who has been remarkably consistent this term, though, so isn’t a forlorn hope. Go Athletico looks more attractive at the weights, while Keke warrants consideration and Smoke Them Out should have an each-way chance.

Race three is a mile two-year-olds’ maiden (14.12). Lunar Empress went very well at Galway last time but another step up will be needed to win this, and the numerous newcomers here might be the ones to take note of. The market will best advise on these. Joseph O’Brien’s Belicoso, however, has a pedigree to suit softer conditions and the new application of a visor might help him.

Our fourth race is a nine-furlong handicap (14.47). Khormor Syd was only beaten half a length last time and looks handy once again, although further up the handicap now. Thru And Thru is on an attractive mark, but Lady Arwen might be able here, down to a more competitive mark. At a big price, though, is Storzando, who can act on this surface and has Colin Keane in the saddle.

Next is a mile and a half maiden (15.22). Almazann is on a nicer mark this time, while dual-purpose sort Starting Fifteen will not be put out by the ground description at all and could go well on Flat debut. Billy Lee is an eyecatching booking. Cosmetic must be watched out for, though, on a better mark today with some promising soft ground form.

Following is a mile and six furlongs handicap (15.57). Nicky Larson makes plenty of appeal here having shown an affinity with these conditions in the past, while Glittering Gem looks a big danger higher up the weights after a place last time out at Thurles. Alfalfa could sneak into a place at this mark too.

Second to last is a five-furlong apprentice handicap (16.32). Steel Magnolia is very appealing here after a good run at Bellewstown last time on testing ground, and she’s on the same mark today. Happy Henry should enter calculations but might still be too high in the handicap, while Buddy Batt could be in line for a place, now on a new low mark with a claiming rider.

Finally we have a seven-furlong handicap (17.07). Apache Outlaw should get involved here with Sam Coen’s five pounds in hand, while Mickey The Steel should be able to perform here, back on a workable mark. Tai Tam Bay is interesting stepping up in trip and she is more than happy on ground like this, so has a good chance at an each-way price.

Curragh selections - Thursday:

13.02 - Champion Basma, Bajan Bambu e/w 

13.37 - Go Athletico, Smoke Them Out e/w 

14.12 - Belicoso 

14.47 - Storzando 

15.22 - Starting Fifteen 

15.57 - Nicky Larson 

16.32 - Steel Magnolia, Buddy Batt e/w 

17.07 - Tai Tam Bay e/w