6.15pm Curragh Tips & Betting Preview 21/05/2016

IN SUMMARY: Although Lucida looks certain to go off at a short price we narrowly prefer the chances of IRISH ROOKIE (4/1) who may well be able to make the most of a rather obvious fitness advantage having had a pipe opener, whereas the jolly has not been seen since last summer..

1 Ainippe (6/1) – Ultra consistent daughter of Captain Rio who has only finished out of the first three in two of her ten career starts. Career best run when third to Legatissimo in the Group One Matron Stakes last season and ran an acceptable race on her return when third to Dolce Strega her over a furlong less and seems sure to strip fitter here – major player.

2 Devonshire (7/1) – Godolphin owned filly but yet to win anything higher than Listed class and should struggle again today. Only beaten a length here on her return in the Group Three Park Express Stakes but has more on her plate today.

3 Fluff (11/1) – Impressed on her debut with a very easy win but yet to repeat that in two runs this season. Looked one paced over a mile here on her return and was stepped up to a mile and a half at Leopardstown but failed to stay and it is hard to see her winning here, powerful connections or not.

4 Hint Of A Tint (22/1) – Won a pair of handicaps last season but has failed in two attempts in higher class – would be a bookies benefit were she to win today and we can’t see it happening.

5 Irish Rookie (4/1) – Won her first two races and has placed in decent company including when runner up to Erveyda at Longchamp last May over this trip and third to Esoterique at Newmarket, both in Group One events. Looked as though she needed the run when six lengths fourth to Usherette at Newmarket on her return and will be race fit today, looks to have an outstanding chance.

6 Lucida (6/4) – Not been seen since last July and fitness could be an issue. Ran better than it appears when less than two lengths sixth to Amazing Maria in the Group One Falmouth Stakes last season but absence has to be the main issue – a watch on the betting market should help assess her chances.

7 Queen Catrine (28/1) –  Doesn’t look up to this class with one Listed win to her name and some lesser events at Leicester and Ayr when trained by Charlie Hills. Well beaten in Group Three races on her last two starts including at Leopardstown in early May and not for us this evening.

myracing Forecast Prices: 6/4 Lucida, 3/1 Irish Rookie, 6/1 Ainippe Devonshire, 10/1 Fluff, 25/1 Hint Of A Tint Queen Catrine