Horse Racing Tips: Officer could be well in command at the Curragh

It’s a Bank Holiday on Monday and that means there’s loads of action to sink our teeth into, with seven meetings taking place across Britain and Ireland. First off is Down Royal, before the racing continues at the Curragh, Kempton, Warwick, Bath, Beverley and Windsor.

We have three strong fancies to follow across the afternoon, and they include one for Aidan O’Brien at the Curragh, who should be much sharper this time around, with the benefit of having a previous run under his belt. Read on for my Horse Racing Tips for Monday, May 5.

14:25 Curragh - Officer @ 11/10

Aidan O’Brien’s runners tend to improve significantly for their first runs of the season, and with that in mind, a return to winning ways could be on the agenda for OFFICER. The twice-raced son of Dubawi is back against his fellow three-year-olds, which should help too.

He was a cosy winner on debut here over 7f last term, despite only winning by half a length. O’Brien’s colt got off to a slow start but quickly caught up to the leaders, with Ryan Moore on board. The form looks pretty solid, as the third, fourth and fifth have all won since.

It was a fair effort when beaten by a length in the Gladness Stakes here on seasonal debut. Clearly, he’s capable of competing in this grade, and he is expected to improve for the run. The step up to a mile will also be a big help, judging by his pedigree.

Out of the very smart mare Hydrangea, who won Group 1 races over a mile and 1m4f, and Officer’s sister won a Listed race over an extended 1m1f last summer. We haven’t seen the best of this horse just yet, and he looks like the one to beat.

15:35 Curragh - Chantez @ 3/1

Ger Lyons runs the filly CHANTEZ, who progressed nicely as a juvenile, and further improvement is anticipated at three. She has only had three starts to date, but there were clear signs of improvement with each one.

The daughter of Wootton Bassett made her debut in a 7f maiden at Leopardstown in July and bumped into a useful Aidan O’Brien mare that day, but still ran a stormer to finish second by a head.

Lyons’ filly went one better in good style over the same course and distance next time, and although the form is a bit of a mixed bag, the race has at least produced one subsequent winner.

Her Listed success last time out was evidence of further improvement, and she got the better of subsequent Rockfel Stakes winner Bubbling that day. Garden Of Eden was second and is set to oppose once again, but Chantez can confirm the form on Monday.

16:10 Curragh - White Birch @ 6/5

This appears to be a bit of a two-horse race, as the field has 11lb or more to find with the two highest rated runners. John Joseph Murphy’s runner WHITE BIRCH has a good record first time out, so he gets the nod ahead of Irish Derby winner Los Angeles.

The five-year-old finished third behind Auguste Rodin in the 2024 Derby but took his form to a new level last season, before injury curtailed his campaign. He was an impressive winner of this race last year and got the better of the useful yardstick Lord Massusus.

Murphy’s grey then followed up in the Group 1 Tattersalls Gold Cup, where he comfortably dispatched Auguste Rodin. White Birch could be hard to beat with that in mind, although Los Angeles is unlikely to go down without a fight.

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