This Weekend's Irish National Hunt Tips at Curragh

Last season this horse was a good winner of the Ballysax at Leopardstown before just being touched off in the Dante at York. He went from there onto the Derby at Epsom where he finished 3rd behind Auguste Robin on ground that would probably have been quick enough for him. He totally underperformed in the Irish Derby but put that performance behind him on Irish Champions weekend when he finished a close 4th beaten just a length and a half by Adelaide River again on ground too quick for him.

Back on a testing surface and getting 3lbs off his main market rivals I suspect he will be ready to go and should take some beating. Fingers crossed for a big run.

A rare venture into flat maidens for Gordon Elliott who used to do rather well with these types five or six years ago. This horse made a very respectable debut when 5th of 18 over course and distance about five weeks ago. He's had a nice break between races to get over that and should have learned plenty from his first experience.

If he has learned to settle a bit better since then and with some natural progression in the meantime and the benefit of the experience of that run, I'd expect him to take a good step forward and to be right in the mix at the business end at a reasonable price.

Made a decent seasonal reappearance at Cork last time under Chris Hayes where he was beaten just 2L into 4th that day. He now gets regular rider Wayne Hassett back on board claiming 7lbs and he's 2lbs below his last winning mark with was over course and distance.

He seems to handle all kinds of ground and I believe with the run at Cork last time under his belt and Wayne back on board taking off those 7lbs he should have a real decent each way chance.