Handicap picks for Saturday at the Curragh

There are no fewer than four handicaps on Saturday’s card at the Curragh, including the Tulfarris Hotel And Golf Resort Handicap, and last year’s winner of that race, Crystal Black, went on to further success at Royal Ascot.

We have value selections and analysis for three of the handicap races on Saturday, including a last-time-out winner that looks capable of another big performance.

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2.30 Curragh - 1m2f Tulfarris Hotel And Golf Resort Handicap (Premier Handicap) (4yo+)

This is a typically competitive affair and it would be no surprise if it was won by a progressive type once again, as we have seen in recent years with Mashoor in 2022 and Crystal Black 12 months ago.

Star Harbour competes once more off the same mark with which he came fourth last year, but the seven-year-old is likely to find this a tough task against progressive younger horses, and it is HIMALAYAN HEIGHTS who can improve on his reappearance victory last month to land the spoils.

Himalayan Heights was gelded over the winter and the operation looks to have worked with a much improved performance at Leopardstown last time. The form of that race since has been mixed, but there is no doubting the impressive nature of the victory, and the son of Camelot can win this before going on to bigger and better things later in the season.

Selection: Himalayan Heights

4.15 Curragh - 1m QuinnBet Emerald Mile Handicap (Premier Handicap) (4yo+)

A high-class handicap and a case can be made for many in the field. It is, however, a British raider who gets the vote of confidence in the shape of SKUKUZA.

Absent since finishing second in the Britannia Stakes at Royal Ascot last summer, he made his reappearance last month and finished a respectable fifth of 10 at Haydock and was not beaten by much.

He was perhaps a little disappointing on his most recent run at Newcastle, but the return to turf looks to be a positive and there is certainly more to come front the four-year-old son of Blue Point.

His best performance last season came over a mile, and the return to the trip here, having raced over 7f on both starts this season, should also work in his favour.

Selection: Skukuza

4.50 Curragh - 7f QuinnBet Handicap (4yo+)

With many in the field looking relatively exposed, it can pay dividends to look to one on handicap debut.

PENNY MOUNTAIN is officially running 2lb out of the handicap here, but sneaks into this off a low weight on her first start for a new stable.

Her effort last time out can be marked up slightly as she was caught too far back in the field to land an impact, but she finished strongly over the 6f trip.

The return to 7f will play to her strengths, and in a race where pace is almost guaranteed, she can finish strongly and get her head in front.

Further to this, in two of the three runnings of the race the winner has come from stall one or stall two. Being drawn in stall one looks to be another big tick in her box.

Selection: Penny Mountain