UK Horse Racing Tips: Cork

PERSEIDS found only one too good when runner-up over this trip at Naas last month. The winner was unable to make any impression in a Group 2 next time but it was still a promising start by Joseph O'Brien's charge, although she did have the benefit of a barrier trial under her belt. The selection was six lengths clear of the similarly-owned Foniska at Naas, but the latter was sent off at a much shorter price and may be capable of a lot better. Amusement has been placed in decent maidens at Leopardstown and Tipperary and finished well over a slightly shorter trip at the latter venue. Tarawa, a half-sister to a dual Group 3 winner, and the Ballydoyle pair Be Happy and Snowy are newcomers to note.
Prediction : 1st Perseids 2nd Foniska 3rd Amusement

POLLANASSA was quite well fancied for last month's debut at Tipperary and finished his race off well to be fourth over a slightly shorter trip. The three that beat him all had a lot more experience and the third has easily landed a maiden since. The Lute Player made no impact in his only juvenile start but showed a lot more when third over this trip at Navan. He's entitled to be sharper for that first outing in 14 months. Gambe Veloci was slowly away and ran green before keeping on into second at Leopardstown and is another who could improve significantly for the run. It's worth noting that he was due to make his debut in a claimer earlier in the summer before getting upset in the stalls and being withdrawn. Obama Alexander, a half-sister to her trainer's Group 2 winner Insinuendo, is a noteworthy newcomer.
Prediction : 1st Pollanassa 2nd The Lute Player 3rd Gambe Veloci

It's possible that CONGO RIVER is a bit flattered by his new mark of 97 after his narrow defeat at Navan, but he's very much the one to beat nonetheless. Second to a subsequent Listed winner on debut, he bounced back to form when caught late and beaten a neck over just shy of six furlongs last time, and dropping back to this trip should be fine given the speed he showed on that occasion. He did run around a good bit at the business end and Seamie Heffernan will be hoping he runs straighter here. Jer Batt, from a speedy family, has shown plenty of pace in both starts and looks well up to winning a race of some description before long. He's likely to be prominent from the outset. Invincible Cry ran very respectably when fourth to a previous winner over C&D in July and looks the other one to focus on. His trainer sent out a couple of juvenile maiden winners last week.
Prediction : 1st Congo River 2nd Jer Batt 3rd Invincible Cry

ONE SWEET DAY was a C&D maiden winner last term and showed promise a few times earlier this season, notably when second over this trip at the Curragh. She was tried over 7f back at that venue last time but failed to land a blow and may fare better at this distance. A stands-side draw is generally not a negative at Cork. Anatoli can be very free but saw his race out better when not beaten far at Dundalk and has a red-hot apprentice on board. He may be approaching a competitive mark. Goodnight Girl, who is berthed towards the far side, ran well in a premier handicap at the Curragh in July and wasn't disgraced in stakes company last time. Amanirenas won on handicap debut at Leopardstown and then ran as well as could have been hoped for in a hot conditions event over 1m at this venue. This will be her first time to race over 6f.
Prediction : 1st One Sweet Day 2nd Anatoli 3rd Goodnight Girl

KING OF SCOTIA made a very promising debut at the Curragh last month and can build on that now. The son of Kessaar travelled liked the winner passing the two pole then and was just a touch green when asked for an effort a furlong from home. He should have learned plenty from that experience and is fancied to go a place better now. Skip James was an eye-catcher on his debut at Fairyhouse in late May when running on to finish third after missing the break. He could be a danger. There are a couple of interesting newcomers in the field. Dark Side has a Group 1 entry in the National Stakes and money for the Zoffany colt would be interesting. The Ballydoyle colt Autocrat is out of a Listed winner and his half-sister Benitoite was a maiden winner at the Curragh in July.
Prediction : 1st King Of Scotia 2nd Skip James 3rd Autocrat

GOA GAJAH has produced two solid runner-up efforts since his victory at Down Royal and may be able to bag another race here. The US-bred colt chased home Pandora Lovegood in testing conditions at Galway before being edged out by a smart looking newcomer in Impact Warrior at Roscommon. He is 3lb higher than his run in the nursery at Galway but is fancied to give weight away to his rivals. Spirit Genie was a game winner of his maiden at Roscommon last time when stepping up to seven furlongs seemed to help. The runner-up then Betterdaysrcoming has been narrowly denied since so the form looks solid. Bossy Parker also won last time out, taking a Curragh nursery, and he has to come into calculations. A 6lb rise for that win makes life a bit tougher, though.
Prediction : 1st Goa Gajah 2nd Spirit Genie 3rd Bossy Parker

A massive field here and GOLDEN DAYS might be able to strike again over course and distance. The Canford Cliffs filly won on her penultimate visit and finished off well from off the pace when third here on her last run in June. She still looks on a nice mark despite a 2lb rise since her last outing. Born Invincible has been in good form and is another that has to be on the short-list. She chased home easy winner Showmolina at Naas last time out and remains on the same mark. Clarinbridge got home in a tight finish at Gowran Park last time and went up 4lb for that victory. Adam Caffrey takes 7lb off her back now and she could be a big player again.
Prediction : 1st Golden Days 2nd Born Invincible 3rd Clarinbridge