UK Horse Racing Tips: Dundalk

Gatwick Kitten sets the standard on form, having placed over this trip at the Curragh in September, but his last couple of starts have been disappointing and he needs to bounce back. With that in mind, preference is for OHIO STATE, who returns from a 140-day absence after showing little in two outings earlier in the year, with first-time blinkers and a tongue tie both applied to bring about improvement. Ballyare and newcomer Holy Olympic appeal most of the remainder.
Prediction : 1st Ohio State 2nd Gatwick Kitten 3rd Ballyare

TY ROCK BRANDY returned to winning ways at Wolverhampton on her latest start, when benefiting from the return to the all-weather, and this course winner is capable of making it two on the bounce off her revised mark. A pair of cheekpieces could see improvement from Joules on his first outing since January, while Straffan is respected based on her recent performances.
Prediction : 1st Ty Rock Brandy 2nd Joules 3rd Straffan

ROYAL HIGHNESS nearly got off the mark on her latest start at the track last month and a repeat of that performance could see Henry de Bromhead's filly go one better. Time Tunnel has finished second on four of her six outings and is likely to be in the mix once again. Others to note include Bandiuc Eile and Dedillon.
Prediction : 1st Royal Highness 2nd Time Tunnel 3rd Bandiuc Eile

MIDNITEMUDCRABS has been acquitting herself well over the past couple of months and, on those performances, deserves to get her head back in front having won twice at the course in the past. Alfirak was last seen finishing fourth at Laytown in September and enters the reckoning along with Loaded, who shaped well on his first start here after a spell in Hong Kong.
Prediction : 1st Midnitemudcrabs 2nd Alfirak 3rd Loaded

Lady In Lavender won here on Wednesday night and deserves respect under a 6lb penalty, while Drombeg Duke, a winner here over 7f, also merits consideration. A chance is still taken on Jim Bolger's recent Curragh runner-up AISTEOIR, who was beaten by a useful type on that occasion and may have been let in lightly off an opening handicap mark of 64.
Prediction : 1st Aisteoir 2nd Lady In Lavender 3rd Drombeg Duke

SURROUNDING finished fifth in a Group 2 at Leopardstown in September and, having landed this prize last year, is fancied to take some stopping once more despite carrying top weight. Jumellea took a step forward in her development when third in a Listed event at Naas, while Dancing On A Dream's success here was boosted when the runner-up went one better earlier this week.
Prediction : 1st Surrounding 2nd Jumellea 3rd Dancing On A Dream

NEVER BACK DOWN put in the best performance of his Irish stint so far when second behind a course specialist here two weeks ago, and deserves to go one better. Rated 107 at his best in the UK, this drop in trip won't deter the four-year-old and he will take plenty of beating. Master Matt bounced back to form when third at Navan last week, while Gordon Lord Byron and Primo Uomo both know their way around here and enter calculations too.
Prediction : 1st Never Back Down 2nd Master Matt 3rd Gordon Lord Byron

Major Reward won a claimer two weeks ago and might find some improvement now with Denis Hogan, while Nimitz, third on his last three starts, needs to be delivered right on the line and may need to drop a few pounds. It could be worth chancing that there was no fluke about SWEET DIME'S 33/1 C&D success three weeks ago. Jessica Harrington's filly travelled well there and the right horse finished second to give the form some substance.
Prediction : 1st Sweet Dime 2nd Major Reward 3rd Nimitz