UK Horse Racing Tips: Bellewstown

PRAIRIE DANCER has to defy a double penalty but may well be up to the task. Joseph O'Brien's dual Flat winner, who was a respectable eighth in the juvenile handicap hurdle at Cheltenham, got off the mark in this sphere at Cork in April and was a wide margin winner over a bit further at Ballinrobe last time. Global Export won a maiden at Navan having previously chased home the useful Hms Seahorse at Fairyhouse. He returns from nearly four months off and should give a good account of himself. Douglas DC won his maiden at Tramore but was beaten 16 lengths by the selection at Ballinrobe while Eagle Terrace also scored at Tramore last time but faces a stiff task at these weights.
Prediction : 1st Prairie Dancer 2nd Global Export 3rd Douglas Dc

A bumper winner at last year's Listowel festival, ESPERTI improved from his hurdling debut fifth at Down Royal to chase home a 134-rated horse at Punchestown. The Presenting gelding likes decent ground and can go one better. Rioga Choice has shown promise on both starts and was third to a subsequent Grade 3 winner at Wexford in March. She gets plenty of weight from the selection and looks a danger. Favourite Moon was a very smart staying handicapper for William Haggas and was bought by current connections as a hurdling prospect for 90,000 guineas. He'll be fitter for an outing at the Curragh in May. Clonmel bumper winner The Friday Man, whose dam was a Grade 1-winning hurdler, is another to consider.
Prediction : 1st Esperti 2nd Rioga Choice 3rd Favorite Moon

Formerly a smart bumper horse with Gordon Elliott, the well-bred DARK SPARK has been sweetened up by his current handler and comes into this on a roll. After a Flat win at Listowel, he had four of these rivals behind when winning at Kilbeggan and can defy a 7lb hike in his rating. The Tide Turns was highly tried after winning his maiden at Punchestown in January and was beaten less than three lengths in a Grade 2 at Fairyhouse last time. He returns from three months off and has the class to be involved in the finish. Anna Bunina wasn't at her best when turned over at odds-on at Down Royal but won the Scottish Champion Hurdle and a Listed contest at Killarney earlier in the spring and has to enter calculations. Rich Belief, second on the Flat at Limerick last month, likes good ground and is another in the mix.
Prediction : 1st Dark Spark 2nd The Tide Turns 3rd Anna Bunina

A competitive contest and a case can be made for many of these. HOWAYA C D AND E is a hopeful choice on her first start over hurdles. Out of seven-time winner Howaya Pet, she was a fine fifth on her racecourse debut at Punchestown in May and since made the breakthrough at Downpatrick, comfortably accounting for seven rivals. Coole Og, Hot As Pepper and Rebel Rose are all fellow bumper winners, with the Mark Fahey trained latter since gaining plenty of valuable hurdling experience. A runner-up three times from four starts over obstacles, it'll come as a surprise if she is not involved towards the business end. The Willie Mullins trained Coole Og hasn't been seen since last October but is sure to be ready for this assignment and looks a leading contender with Paul Townend aboard. Others for the shortlist are Kelly's Birr, Elle Perfecta and Borntobeyours.
Prediction : 1st Howaya C D And E 2nd Rebel Rose 3rd Cool Croi

DAZZLING DOVE might be able to take this weak contest. A close-up fourth on her penultimate start at Fairyhouse, she since disappointed when sent off favourite at Limerick, but was found to be coughing post-race. The daughter of Winged Love is given the chance to redeem herself now and with Jack Foley booked to ride, she can be expected to go close. Repeat That won this race 12 months ago and was still in with every chance when hampered and unseating at the second last on his most recent start at Limerick. He returns to flights now and should give a good account of himself, just 1lb up on last year's winning mark. Humps And Bumps hasn't been seen since November but was a fine second of 20 on his penultimate start and can make his presence felt. Dangan Des Champs, who won a point-to-point at Tralee in May, is an interesting contender for Robert Tyner, while others for the shortlist are Dicey Rylee, Penny Jar and top weight For The Cause.
Prediction : 1st Dazzling Dove 2nd Repeat That 3rd Humps And Bumps

Another weak contest but marginally stronger than the first divide. EATON LADY has some good efforts to her name and might be able to provide trainer Kate McGivern with her first racecourse success. A runner-up at Cork in August of last year, she disappointed on her next two starts but bounced back to form at Roscommon recently, going down by just half-a-length. A case can be made for many others in this competitive contest, with John McConnell represented by Buto and Watermelon Girl. Buto is sure to have his supporters back over hurdles after struggling on the level on Thursday, while Watermelon Girl, who is a half-sister to five-time winner Seddon, is an interesting contender on handicap debut. Top-weight Well Joey was a good third at Limerick in May and it'll come as no surprise if he manages to go a few places better now. Glenmalure Lodge ran a fine race at Ballinrobe last month but dropping in trip is unlikely to play to her strengths. Inforapenny, No Way Pedro and Coolroe Lady are others that warrant respect.
Prediction : 1st Eaton Lady 2nd Well Joey 3rd Watermelon Girl

Bentham, who has been out of form of late, is two from two at Bellewstown and makes plenty of appeal despite top weight. Gavin Cromwell is also represented by Aprils Joy and Hascouer Clermont, who are both likely to have plenty of supporters. YENILLIK was an easy winner on his handicap debut at Wexford and it'll come as no surprise if he manages to follow up here with Rachael Blackmore booked to ride. A Different World will appreciate an ease in the ground and he should give a good account of himself too.
Prediction : 1st Yenillik 2nd Bentham 3rd A Different World

UNCLE PHIL might be able to follow up on his easy Kilbeggan win. A runner-up on debut at the Co Westmeath venue, he finished five-and-a-half lengths clear of Ilnaz in third, with that one since giving the form a boost by winning on his next start at Market Rasen. Willie Mullins trains the selection and he is also represented by High City Roller. A winner at Limerick in May, he needs good ground to be seen at his best, flopping badly on soft on debut at Clonmel. Realistic Optimism finished a place behind High City Roller when they clashed at Limerick, but he since made the breakthrough at Kilbeggan and should give a good account of himself. Diamond Union was fifth in a winners contest at the Punchestown Festival and he warrants the utmost respect. Country Queen has two solid efforts to her name but looks more of a stayer. Special Rate, Ferdinand Star and point-to-point winner Rexem are other each-way contenders.
Prediction : 1st Uncle Phil 2nd Diamond Union 3rd Realistic Optimism