Curragh Sunday Tips: 'Ascending can race off just a 1lb higher mark here' A fantastic weekend of racing at the Curragh ends with Irish Cesarewitch day when no less than thirty three go to post for the very valuable handicap. But there's also two intriguing Group 3 contests on the eight-race card and a clutch of interesting maidens and handicaps to go at too. Weekend Special - Bet €100 Get €100 with Midnite Sunday's tips 16:22 The Curragh - Ascending @ 10/1 14:37 The Curragh - Alibah @ 5/1 15:47 The Curragh - Sunrise Angel @ 12/1 16:22 The Curragh - Ascending The latest renewal of this prestigious handicap looks more competitive than ever and a persuasive case can be made for a whole host of the intended 33 runners. But it's safe to say that no horse brings stronger form credentials to the party than Henry de Bromhead's upwardly mobile six-year-old Ascending and he gets the vote. Ascending showed very useful form without hitting the heights over hurdles after his move from Clive Cox's Flat yard, but since having his attentions switched back to the level he hasn't looked back. In his six starts returned to this code he has improved run by run and completed a hat-trick with a thrilling victory in the Ascot Stakes at Royal Ascot in June. But that career-best effort over Ascot's two and a half mile distance was surpassed when he came in an excellent runner-up in York's Ebor Handicap (over one mile and six furlongs), finding only Willie Mullins' impressive Ethical Dawn too strong. Ascending can race off just a 1lb higher mark here and with the return to a marathon trip sure to be in his favour too he looks the way to go. Both Filey Bay and Happy Pharoah look to have better days ahead of them on the Flat and head the list of dangers with Tounsivator and Small Fry also well in the mix. 14:37 The Curragh - Alibah The Group 3 Weld Stakes looks like a fascinating seven-furlong event for juvenile fillies and the market reflects this but there are good reasons for thinking Alibah is the one to be on. Joseph O'Brien's daughter of Galileo Gold really impressed when making a winning start in a big-field Gowran maiden over this seven-furlong trip and bettered that form despite seeming unsuited by the drop to six furlongs when third of 12 in a Fairyhouse listed contest, doing all her best work at the finish having suffered a poor run two furlongs out. That bare form is not far at all behind the best on offer here and with this return to seven furlongs a big positive Alibah holds excellent claims. Both Pivotal Attack and Black Caviar Gold have plenty to recommend them and Aidan O'Brien's Amelia Earhart is another in the picture but Alibah is taken to resume winning ways. 15:47 The Curragh - Sunrise Angel Thirteen go to post for a seven-furlong nursery at three forty seven and Sunrise Angel appeals as a likely improver now he ventures into handicap company for the first time. Andrew Slattery's son of Calyx looked very much in need of the experience when coming in last of eight on his debut at Galway in July and again when faring little better in a nine-furlong maiden at Tipperary the following month. But on his latest run at Cork when dropped back markedly in distance he caught the eye under a patient ride, staying on into third of the 10 runners and leaving the distinct impression better times lay ahead. An opening mark of 63 looks appealing and, with the return to seven furlongs also a plus, he is very much one to be interested in, especially if the market speaks in his favour.
