UK Horse Racing Tips: Roscommon

SOLE PRETENDER looks in a different league to the rest of these and can justify cramped odds. Norman Lee's stable star was a Grade 3 winner over hurdles at Tipperary last summer and is rated 150 in that sphere. He jumped well and won easily when making all in a good-class beginners' chase at Balllinrobe and, barring accidents, this should be a straightforward task for him. A sharp 2m on good ground will be ideal. Ferdia has been placed on all four starts since starting out over fences last month. Beaten fair and square when second over this trip at Clonmel on Friday, his experience will stand to him and he looks the one most likely to chase home the selection. The veteran Banjo was third in this race three years ago and can contend for minor money along with chasing debutant Clever Currency who represents a stable in great form.
Prediction : 1st Sole Pretender 2nd Ferdia 3rd Banjo

The ground went against POPONG when she was pulled up last time out but a couple of pieces of form in staying handicaps last year give her every chance if she comes back to her best. Henry de Bromhead's mare was third in a competitive event over 3m1f at the Punchestown festival and her runner-up effort in the Galway Blazers in July was also a very creditable display. She's handicapped to win one of these and connections will be hoping for a sound surface. Like the selection, Jacksons Gold is a course winner over hurdles and his fifth in the recent Mayo National at Ballinrobe was a solid effort. Limerick winner Siberian Gale looks on a stiff enough mark for handicap debut but is obviously open to improvement while the veteran Snugsborough Hall has been running well over 2m5f and now steps back up in trip with a very promising claimer on board.
Prediction : 1st Popong 2nd Jacksons Gold 3rd Snugsborough Hall

French import WEDDELL SEA has yet to win in 12 starts but has run two solid races over hurdles in Ireland. He ran well on jumps debut at Fairyhouse and improved to finish a good second at Limerick, with the fourth-placed horse winning subsequently. He can get his turn in first-time cheekpieces. Wrecking Ball Paul has a form edge over the selection on a line through Global Export, which has beaten both horses. He ran well behind Global Export on debut but flopped in Down Royal, was well held at Killarney and now sports a first-time hood. Cedar Rapids is himself closely enough matched with Wrecking Ball Paul on Killarney form, when blundering at the last, but needs to improve. Edge Of My Seat showed some flat ability at a low level recently but is best watched on jumps debut.
Prediction : 1st Weddell Sea 2nd Wrecking Ball Paul 3rd Cedar Rapids

JUNIOR BEE is experienced and proven in this grade and is just 5lb higher than when winning by a short-head at Wexford last month. She might ideally prefer slightly further but is consistent, likes good ground and is sure to give another solid effort, in a winneable race. Shantou Warrior is similarly consistent at this level and on good ground but lacks a recent outing, making his seasonal reappearance. Lady De Vesci is a five-time flat winner with useful hurdles form last year and also reappears following a break while Dylan Oak ran well at Punchestown last month (Golden Sandbanks was fifth) and has place claims. Tuckmill was a winner in March and wasn't beaten far at Tipperary last month.
Prediction : 1st Junior Bee 2nd Lady De Vesci 3rd Dylan Oak

MUNTAHEZ looks nicely handicapped over hurdles, having shaped well behind a real improver at Punchestown. Aidan Howard has his horses running out of their skins at the present time and this six-year-old is rated to go close. At these weights, the Howard gelding should confirm form with He's Leading Me On, who was back in third place at the County Kildare venue. The latter horse has since finished second at Tramore so holds leading claims again. Beat Of The Sea was a beaten favourite at Wexford recently but had run well at that same track on her previous start. Clody Valley is well treated over hurdles but looks a better chaser, while Karla Martina and Presenting Lad are others to consider.
Prediction : 1st Muntahez 2nd Hes Leading Me On 3rd Beat Of The Sea

PLAINS INDIAN is favoured by these weights so can follow up his recent Ballinrobe win. The Andy Slattery trained six-year-old has developed a real understanding with young Cian Quirke, who has been on board for both career wins. If anything, this race looks slightly easier than the contest he won last time, so it would be disappointing were he not to take full advantage. Ambitious Fellow made a pleasing reappearance at Wexford, while giving the impression that he needed a stiffer test. He will get that here and should also strip fitter on this second run back. Bravo Team easily landed a handicap at Down Royal last time but faces a harder task against this opposition. Nonetheless, he is certainly worth trying in this grade.
Prediction : 1st Plains Indian 2nd Ambitious Fellow 3rd Bravo Team

THE BIG CHAP can make it back-to-back wins for trainer Paul Flynn. A winner on his handicap debut at Limerick last month, the son of Policy Maker received an 8lbs hike from the handicapper. However, with leading conditional Gary Noonan in the saddle, the five-year-old only has to carry a pound more than last time. Moving Water couldn't have won any easier at Wexford recently and that form has received a boost with the fourth horse winning subsequently. The JP McManus owned gelding could still be well treated on this, his handicap debut. Kells Priory has snippets of form that entitle him to be competitive, while Merry Poppins is of interest under another promising young conditional.
Prediction : 1st The Big Chap 2nd Moving Water 3rd Kells Priory

A DREAM TO SHARE was impressive on his racecourse debut last month, easily brushing aside his elders at Tipperary. While in receipt of a large weight concession on that occasion, he now has to concede to his rivals. However, he could just be a smart horse for this time of the year, so might be capable of going in again. Jaariam, who showed signs of ability on his second start at Punchestown, shouldn't be too far away, while you can also make a case for newcomer Out For The Count.
Prediction : 1st A Dream To Share 2nd Jaariam 3rd Out For The Count