Curragh 4.50

 

I am happy to take on Brave Troop who is up a staggering 15lbs for a win on very different Going and also Ceallach who is very strong on the AW but as yet far less impressive on turf. Smooth Tom will be a danger and is a progressive type with a Course and Distance win off 85 last season and who won last time out but a mark of 93 just puts me off today. Nibiru for Tony Martin is probably best at 12 furlongs but could stay on here and top weight Casanova has placed form over this trip despite being better over a mile and wouldn't be totally discounted on that basis.

 

I'm really keen on and confident about the Joseph O'Brien pair though VEGA MAGNIFICO and TIMELESS SOUL. Both are possible improvers and could progress but have great chances on known form too and frankly i can't split them and will be very disappointed if we don't get a win and a place out of them.

 

At bigger odds I'm keen on the chances of SAFECRACKER who was runner up in this last year off a mark of 86, runner up again later in the season over Course and Distance off a mark of 93 and won at Gowran off a mark of 89, and following a warm up run a mark of 97, though tough may not be insurmountable on a Course it clearly likes. If you wanted another for small stakes to enhanced places then Oisin Murphy is an eye catching booking on Laelaps who has placed form over Course and Distance off marks of 92 and 93 and slips in off a mark of 89 and may well be a canny opportunist ride.