UK Horse Racing Tips: Cork

CLASSIC LORD has the potential to make up into a useful hurdler if taking to jumping. The former Andrew Balding trained gelding who reached a mark of 94 on the level, has since been bought by high profile connections. While his affinity for this new discipline has to be taken on trust, he is sure to be well schooled coming from these quarters. Of those with previous hurdling experience, Prince Of Verona sets the standard. The Denis Hogan-trained son of American Pharoah has twice finished second over flights and should be involved once again. Sheishybrid also merits consideration on her hurdling debut, as does the twice raced Burren Song.
Prediction : 1st Classic Lord 2nd Prince Of Verona 3rd Sheishybrid

ROYAL ROMEO should be spot on for this hurdling debut following a nice reappearance on the flat recently. A bumper winner at Fairyhouse in November, he wasn't knocked about when fourth at Roscommon in a 12f maiden. Champagne Problem won on her racecourse debut at Sligo last year but found the step up in class too much when only ninth in a listed race subsequently. Back in calmer waters for her jumping debut, she is entitled to make her presence felt. Bold Approach looks best of those that have experience over flights. The Brendan Duke-trained gelding boasts the highest official rating in the field but does look potentially vulnerable to an unexposed type.
Prediction : 1st Royal Romeo 2nd Champagne Problem 3rd Bold Approach

SEQUOIASPIRIT looks a well handicapped horse over hurdles. The five-year-old remains totally unexposed after just a handful of starts under that code. Second at Limerick on his penultimate start over flights, he made a mistake at the last when a fair fourth at Ballinrobe subsequently. A three-time winner on the flat, he holds obvious claims in this company. Swelltime was very impressive when winning his maiden at Gowran Park but hasn't gone on from there. There were signs of a revival at Kilbeggan in May but it is hard to be confident given his overall profile. Capture The Action could make her presence felt but may need the rain to fall, while Backing Band also merits consideration.
Prediction : 1st Sequoiaspirit 2nd Swelltime 3rd Capture The Action

GRAND SOIR can continue the excellent run of trainer John McConnell. An impressive winner of his only point-to-point start, the gelding finished second on his racecourse debut in a Limerick bumper. Despite managing no better than seventh on his only subsequent start, the heavy ground may have been an excuse on that occasion. Back on a sounder surface and upped in distance, he could be seen in a different light. Gali Flight has reached the frame on four occasions over flights and has the highest rating in this race. Jockey Niall Moore can also claim 7lbs which further eases the burden of the Philip Fenton runner. Ramondo Dnzeo and State Of Fame are others with chances in a competitive heat.
Prediction : 1st Grand Soir 2nd Gali Flight 3rd Ramondo Dnzeo

MULLAGHMORE WAVE can resume winnings ways and bring up a quick double for John McConnell. A dual winner last summer, the daughter of Scorpion ran very well when raised in class at Cheltenham in October. Off the track since then, she should take beating if ready after her break. Icee M B A has yet to translate her fencing form to hurdles but looks dangerously well handicapped if ever doing so. Must Be Dreaming disappointed on the flat at Tipperary last time but had been in good form over flights prior to that. Lady Iseult had shown up well in maidens before getting off the mark in handicap company at Bellewstown. She could still be ahead of the assessor even off her revised mark.
Prediction : 1st Mullaghmore Wave 2nd Icee M B A 3rd Lady Iseult

WHISKEY SOUR appears to have been found the ideal race to record the eighth win of his career. The Willie Mullins-trained nine-year-old had been running consistently in better class races last season and managed to win a similar contest to this one at Leopardstown in March. Fourth in a Grade 2 hurdle at Fairyhouse on his most recent start, he had Darver Star well behind on that occasion. The latter had an in and out campaign last season but is more than capable if on song. He should certainly find life easier in this company. Off You Go could be dangerous to discount as he is a very smart horse at his best. Whatever he achieves here, one would expect to see him turn up at Galway later in the month.
Prediction : 1st Whiskey Sour 2nd Darver Star 3rd Off You Go

FINNTHEMAGICIAN made a very encouraging racecourse debut when third at Ballinrobe in May. The Kenny Alexander-owned four-year-old may well have been closer on that occasion had be got a clear run inside the last furlong. With the benefit of that experience, the Shantou gelding looks the horse to beat. Ballynoe point-to-point winner Encanto Bruno is interesting on his Rules debut for John McConnell. The Meath trainer has his horses firing on all cylinders at the present time. Unbridled Power has to enter calculations as the Willie Mullins representative in the race, while Cash The Cheque is another with a leading chance. Anthony McCann has done well with the few bumper horses he has run recently.
Prediction : 1st Finnthemagician 2nd Encanto Bruno 3rd Unbridled Power