UK Horse Racing Tips: Dundalk

WILD SHOT rattled the crossbar over an extended 1m2f here two weeks ago and could benefit from the step back up to this longer trip, over which he won here last month. The main danger may be Tonkinese, who kept on well for third behind the selection latest and is another who might prove suited by this stiffer test. The pick of the remainder may be Tio Esteban, who won over C&D off 9lb lower last week.
Prediction : 1st Wild Shot 2nd Tonkinese 3rd Tio Esteban

ABLE JACK warrants plenty of respect on these terms now dropping in grade, while he may also improve for the fitting of first-time blinkers. Acolyte is worth a market check now sporting first-time cheekpieces and could also figure, while it would come as no surprise to see Billyfairplay and Tony The Gent finish on the premises. They are both capable on a going day.
Prediction : 1st Able Jack 2nd Tony The Gent 3rd Acolyte

Guild has found just one too good the last twice and deserves to land one of these soon, while Politicise, third over an extended 1m2f here last week, should appreciate this step up in distance and Derek O'Connor is a positive jockey booking. Ciao finished third behind the aforementioned Guild earlier this month, but a chance is taken on Denis Hogan's BAL DE RIO. Third in a competitive York handicap last spring when trained in the UK, he has shaped nicely both on the Flat and over hurdles in Ireland, and a mark of 77 appears fair.
Prediction : 1st Bal De Rio 2nd Guild 3rd Politicise

Aidan O'Brien landed this prize with U S S Michigan last year and this has probably been the plan during the winter with stablemate UNITED FRONT. Only a length and three quarters behind the now 111-rated Royal Lytham at Navan last June, and deemed good enough to run in the Chesham at Royal Ascot, he faces a much easier task here and may have improved physically for a break. Healy's Double was second here three weeks ago, while Pip's Eagle caught the eye on debut and is also taken seriously.
Prediction : 1st United Front 2nd Healys Double 3rd Pips Eagle

KING OF ATHENS took his time to get off the mark but did so at the fifth time of asking when landing a 7f Lingfield novice event at the end of October. With that success under his belt, the son of War Front is expected to kick on with the step up in distance likely to suit coming from the family of Oaks heroine Forever Together. Stable companion Battle Of Liege is entitled to improve on what he achieved last season, being a brother to Grade/Group 1 winners Hit It A Bomb and Brave Anna, while Crossfirehurricane returned with an impressive display here earlier in the month and he deserves a crack at this prize.
Prediction : 1st King Of Athens 2nd Battle Of Liege 3rd Crossfirehurricane

MAJOR POWER arrives in excellent form, winning his last couple of starts over C&D, and Edward Lynam's improving gelding is fancied to complete the hat-trick. Calling Time was hammering on the door towards the back end of 2019 and warrants plenty of respect with Scott McCullagh taking a handy 5lb off her back, while Royal Highness and Eacharn appeal most of the remainder.
Prediction : 1st Major Power 2nd Calling Time 3rd Royal Highness

NO NEEDS NEVER won a Listed race over C&D back in 2018 and he was not disgraced on his return from a lengthy break over a mile here last month. The drop back in trip should suit and the four-year-old could be very hard to beat at these weights. Laugh A Minute was second in a Group 3 on the all-weather at Newcastle last year and he has to be of some interest, having been purchased for 100,000gns in October. San Andreas edges out Insignia Of Rank to be the pick of the remainder.
Prediction : 1st No Needs Never 2nd Laugh A Minute 3rd San Andreas

BRISEUSE DE COEUR has displayed plenty of promise in three previous course visits and the daughter of Dark Angel merits the utmost respect on her debut in handicap company. Funny Little Ways should be in the mix based on her last couple of performances, while Talking Tough and Rudrama Devi are others who could go well in a wide-open contest.
Prediction : 1st Briseuse De Coeur 2nd Funny Little Ways 3rd Talking Tough