UK Horse Racing Tips: Sligo

Owned and bred by Davy Russell's father Jerry, KNOCKNAGAPPAGH ran a cracker after more than a year off when second at Kilbeggan last month. That was her first start for Gordon Elliott and a big step forward on what she had previously shown. The daughter of Getaway can confirm form with third home Via Rosa and go one place better here. That was Via Rosa's best effort so far over hurdles. She was placed in three bumpers last year and should give a good account of herself again. Lenabane's fifth in a maiden at Cork last month received a form boost when the third scored at the same venue on Monday and the extra furlong of this contest should suit while Mollys Dream, bought for 27,000 pounds after being placed in a Kilbeggan bumper, is an interesting hurdling debutant.
Prediction : 1st Knocknagappagh 2nd Via Rosa 3rd Mollys Dream

Three from seven over hurdles this year, DARTINGTON can manage the weight concession. A dual winner on the level in Britain, he was a creditable fifth in the Ladies Derby at the Curragh last time and had Weddell Sea well back in third when gaining his most recent win in this sphere at Tramore. He's yet to win beyond 2m but you'd be hopeful that he won't be found wanting for stamina if the ground is decent. Desert Friend, a strong stayer on the Flat, easily won his maiden at Listowel and was third to a subsequent Galway festival winner over 2m4f at Roscommon. Faron was pulled up in a race won by the selection at Wexford in June having readily won a maiden at Kilbeggan on his previous start. Typical Thomas is of more interest after the horse he beat at Downpatrick bolted up in a maiden at Roscommon on Tuesday.
Prediction : 1st Dartington 2nd Desert Friend 3rd Weddell Sea

OUR BOBBY has found improvement since fitted with headgear and followed up a decisive win at Wexford with a runner-up finish at Killarney. He was well held on that occasion but that form looks all the better after the gambled-on winner followed up off a stone higher mark at Cork on Monday. Peace Party was twice second at Ballinrobe in May and the filly that beat him on the first of those runs was nearly 20lb higher in the ratings when second at Galway last week. Just Jacob was having effectively having just his second run in a handicap when winning at Cork last month and is open to more improvement. Presenting Lad didn't get home over 2m4f here last time and this trip will suit better while Moakland has some decent maiden form in the book and is noted on handicap debut.
Prediction : 1st Our Bobby 2nd Peace Party 3rd Just Jacob

ROSSIES TARA might be one for the locals here. Her fifth at Gowran in the autumn was a promising effort on handicap debut and her comeback run when second at Bellewstown again indicated that she has a race of this nature in her from a lowly mark. Coming back a couple of furlongs in trip shouldn't be an issue for Mark McNiff's mare. Red Striker was useful on the Flat a few years ago and stepped up on previous hurdles form when making the frame at Tramore. He's a contender if building on that. Danny Mullins found the key to Golden Sandbanks at Limerick and he has to come into consideration after that breakthrough win. A 5lb higher mark doesn't look unreasonable. Dual all-weather winner Happaugue has shown nothing in his maiden hurdles but you couldn't draw a line through him now that he drops into a handicap.
Prediction : 1st Rossies Tara 2nd Red Striker 3rd Golden Sandbanks

Rachael Blackmore is an interesting booking for KELLY'S BIRR and the daughter of Yeats has a nice bit of hurdling experience. Runner-up over this trip at Down Royal in June, she had a subsequent maiden winner just a few lengths in front of her when fourth at Bellewstown on her penultimate start. She was a well-beaten third over further last time but can bounce back. Folio's debut third to the 134-rated Tax For Max at Punchestown is the standout piece of hurdles form and he'll win if running close to that. A poor run in a bumper since raises a few question marks, however. Magheralin Mick finished well ahead of Folio when third in that Downpatrick bumper and ran another sound race at Kilbeggan. He's seems like an out-and-out stayer who will need 3m in time but is interesting on hurdling debut. Paidi's Passion ran a cracker when second at massive odds on his Rules debut at Roscommon on Tuesday.
Prediction : 1st Kellys Birr 2nd Folio 3rd Magheralin Mick

ARTHUR'S BABY put in a couple of decent shifts over fences before reverting to hurdles at her local track last month. Having travelled well, she couldn't quite match the staying abilities of the winner Not So Simple over a marathon trip of 3m2f. Here two previous wins have come at this distance and she can go one better under regular partner Phillip Enright. Alvaro was a shock maiden winner at Tramore in April but has backed that up with two solid runs since. He was third in a slightly higher grade last time at Killarney and may appreciate stepping back up in trip. Guiri was a Punchestown festival winner in first-time cheekpieces last year and was fifth in the corresponding race in April. If blinkers have a similar effect, he's a danger to all. This trip might stretch Peckham Springs, runner-up here last month, while Guido Reni hardly ever wins but has been placed on all four visits to Sligo.
Prediction : 1st Arthurs Baby 2nd Alvaro 3rd Guiri

LADY OF THE VALE ran a remarkable race at Clonmel in June when she came from virtually last to get up for second. That was a big step up on her debut effort at the same track. She missed a couple of engagements last month and should take plenty of beating. Cash The Cheque, taken out at Roscommon on Tuesday because of soft ground, was second at Cork last month and Aine O'Connor has ridden two bumper winners for her trainer this season. Double Pink didn't show much in a maiden hurdle at Cork last year but could leave that form well behind having since joined Willie Mullins. The champion trainer also has the French-bred Dina Leen in here as a reserve and she would merit great respect if getting a run. Set My Love Free, whose dam is related to good stayers Folsom Blue and Prince Of Scars, is a newcomer to note.
Prediction : 1st Lady Of The Vale 2nd Cash The Cheque 3rd Double Pink