Curragh horses to follow: four handicappers to look out for

Hathiq

Tote Rockingham Handicap (7.45 Curragh, Thursday)

The extreme speed from start to finish in the Investec Dash just seemed to be too alien for Hathiq at Epsom this month, but Denis Hogan's five-year-old can resume his previously progressive ways in the Rockingham.

Bought for a bargain £3,000 by owner James McAuley in January, he looked a talented sprinter when winning at the Curragh on Guineas weekend and, although competing off an 8lb higher mark now, he may be able to cope with the loftier rating back on home soil.

This premier handicap over the minimum trip will feature some classy British sprinters, but he should not be underestimated.

Tipitena: should be suited by dropping back in tripCredit: Alain Barr

Tipitena

1m2f handicap (6.25 Curragh, Friday)

Willie McCreery's string couldn't be in better form and his Tipitena is entitled to have a major say in the 1m2f handicap on Friday.

The daughter of Camelot showed a fine change of gear when getting an inside run to get off the mark at Roscommon last month, beating recent Leopardstown maiden winner Royal Illusion and the 94-rated Hazel Bay.

She was stepped up to Group 3 company in the Munster Oaks next time and had enough pace to briefly look as if she could play a part in proceedings early in the straight before failing to see out the mile and a half behind Who's Steph.

Dropping back to 1m2f ought to suit perfectly, with her mark of 90 appearing workable.

Port Lions: Naas winner for Madeleine Tylicki last time outCredit: Patrick McCann

Port Lions

1m handicap (4.05 Curragh, Saturday)

There was plenty to like about how Port Lions got the job done on his fourth start for Madeleine Tylicki at Naas last month and it would be no surprise to see him continue his winning ways on Saturday.

A highly consistent individual for Mick Halford, the former Godolphin-owned son of Kodiac was gelded prior to his first start for Tylicki and, with the exception of one disappointing run at the Curragh, he has looked in a very good place since joining his new team for 22,000gns last October.

A 3lb higher mark than his Naas success might not be enough to stop him from being competitive in this €50,000 handicap and the anticipated warm weather should dry out the ground enough for him to show his best.

Davids Charm: eyecatching run at Cork last timeCredit: Patrick McCann

Davids Charm

2m handicap (6.00 Curragh, Saturday)

The return to two miles could well see talented hurdler Davids Charm finally land a big pot on the Flat, with John Joe Walsh's eight-year-old arriving here on the back of an eyecatching run in the Cork Derby.

That fast-finishing sixth came over an insufficient 1m4f for the former Galway festival winner and he is now 1lb lower, bringing him down to the same mark from which he finished second in the Irish Cesarewitch last October.

A 143-rated hurdler, he had looked a little out of sorts prior to a cracking fifth at the Punchestown festival and his Cork run confirmed he is back in top form.

Interestingly, Johnny Murtagh's Baba Boom could return in this 2m handicap from almost a year off and now sports the colours of JP McManus for the first time. He rates a danger.

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