Emporio looks fair pick at the Curragh

Lets Go To Vegas comes out on top of the Racing Factors ratings for this ultra competitive mares novice handicap hurdle. She showed fair form in a pair of point-to-point races before making a winning hurdles debut at Market Rasen. She was then no match for the now 128 rated Kateira at Huntingdon. However she bounced back with a gritty win at Ludlow last time out and could well be a mare that continues to improve having only had 3 starts under rules. Her last win came over 3m so she should have no problems stamina wise dropping down in distance today and that might an asset in a race that could be strongly run. Lets Go To Vegas rates a 1 star each way Pick.

The Curragh hosts the opening meeting of the Irish Flat turf season and the first major handicap, the Irish Lincoln. With ground conditions expected to be on the soft to heavy side Emporio could be the answer to the puzzle. He has some decent form under today's going, as shown in his last run of the season when 2nd at Naas over 1m on heavy ground. Prior to that he was 2nd at Leopardstown on soft ground over 1m. Emporio also has a decent record when fresh and his form figures after a break read 261. His young jockey is able to claim 7lbs off his back, which could be a big advantage in such a tight race. He rates a 1 star each way Pick.