UK Horse Racing Tips: Sligo

HIDDEN LAND might be able to take this on her debut over fences. A dual winner over flights and also successful on the level, she was third in the Listed Tourist Attraction Hurdle at Killarney in May. Johnny Barry again takes the ride on the five-year-old chestnut and she can be expected to go close. Mighty Meggsie has the benefit of experience over the larger obstacles and has filled the runner-up spot on her last four starts. The Jessica Harrington-trained bay would be a deserving winner and will be ridden by Conor Smithers who takes a valuable 7lb off. Raven Rule was third on her most recent try over fences and has definite claims, while the John Ryan-trained Hope Des Blins is another leading contender. Ryan sends a strong team to Sligo and is represented in every race on the programme. Point-to-point winner North Of Nashville has been disappointing of late but still warrants respect.
Prediction : 1st Hidden Land 2nd Mighty Meggsie 3rd Raven Rule

GOLDEN SANDBANKS went up 8lb for winning on his debut over fences at Tramore last month but still looks ahead of the handicapper on a mark of 99. The Paul Flynn-trained five-year-old just failed to complete a hat-trick at Bellewstown on his most recent start, going down narrowly by a neck. Elegant Lass looks the main danger but will carry over a stone more than the selection. She also won on her debut over fences at Tramore and is by far the highest rated runner in the line-up on a mark of 116. Name Me Famous is a dual-winner and warrants respect, despite disappointing when sent off favourite at Killarney on his most recent start. Custers Mistake, Trees Valley and Kilashee are others for the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Golden Sandbanks 2nd Elegant Lass 3rd Name Me Famous

A case can be made for all seven, with dual-course winner BENEFIT RUN the selection. The Ross O'Sullivan-trained ten-year-old won this race in 2020 and was still in with every chance when crashing out at the last twelve months ago. He was beaten by just half-a-length on his most recent start at the Galway Festival and a reproduction of that performance should see him go close. The enigmatic but likeable Dollar Value is given second preference after his easy win at Downpatrick last month. A brilliant servant to connections, the seven-year-old has already won 10-times from 57 career starts. The Dara Man was a close fourth in a Grade B contest at Killarney last month and it'll come as no surprise if he manages to go a few places better now. Like the selection, Ingleby Mackenzie fell at the last twelve months ago when still in contention but has been disappointing since.
Prediction : 1st Benefit Run 2nd Dollar Value 3rd The Dara Man

This looks quite open. THE GREAT WHITE was unlucky to lose a race in the stewards room at Kilbeggan in July and he might be able to gain some compensation now. The striking son of Sholokhov was third at Wexford on his most recent start and wouldn't be winning out of turn. Trendy Lady was a solid fifth on her debut over fences at Kilbeggan and can be expected to come on plenty for that experience. The Henry de Bromhead-trained six-year-old is given second preference with Rachael Blackmore aboard. Broken Ice is the highest rated of those with a mark and he is sure to have plenty of supporters, while Galway winner Nathaniel's Dream is probably best watched on what will be his debut over fences. King Ferdinand and Eagle Terrace are others of note, with the former starting off for Eugene O'Sullivan after winning at Huntingdon on his penultimate start.
Prediction : 1st The Great White 2nd Trendy Lady 3rd Broken Ice

ARTHUR'S BABY looks the safest option in this weak contest. Trained locally by Mark McNiff, the eight-year-old was second and fourth on her two previous visits to the Cleveragh circuit. A disappointing last of eight at Kilbeggan on her latest outing, she is tried in cheekpieces for the first time now and with Gavin Brouder taking a valuable 5lb off, she can be expected to go close. Zagnzig was beaten by just a neck in this very race twelve months ago and he again filled the runner-up spot on his most recent start at Downpatrick. The eleven-year-old has won just once from 48 career starts but should be capable of making his presence felt in a race of this quality. Guido Reni has a solid record at Sligo and has finished no worse than fourth in six previous visits. He is tried in blinkers for the first time and should give a good account of himself. Secret Cargo, also in first time blinkers, Magic Piper and Mutual Respect are other leading contenders.
Prediction : 1st Arthurs Baby 2nd Zagnzig 3rd Guido Reni

Grand Bornand is the highest rated of the six set to take part and is the sole Willie Mullins-trained runner on this seven-race card. He is also Paul Townend's only mount but has pulled up on four of his last six starts and so is difficult to fancy with any great confidence. THE LITTLE YANK, who has a course win to his name, looks a safer option. Second over fences at Killarney on his penultimate outing, he was since a fine fourth of 20 in a very competitive Grade B handicap hurdle at the Galway Festival. John Ryan trains the selection and is also represented by Ferdia. In fine form of late, the Dylan Thomas six-year-old can be expected to go close here with Philip Donovan taking 5lb off. Railway Hurricane, who won a point-to-point on debut back in 2019, is not without his chance, while Gladiatorial and Ashqar are likely to struggle.
Prediction : 1st The Little Yank 2nd Ferdia 3rd Grand Bornand

We are all entitled to an 'off day' and perhaps CROBALLY BOY had his at Wexford earlier this month. A runner-up on his previous two starts, the chestnut gelding came in for strong market-support at Bettyville and went to post the 11/8 favourite. Struggling from early, he was eventually pulled up with just under a circuit to go. Trained by John 'Shark' Hanlon, the seven-year-old is given the chance to redeem himself now. Top-weight Chief Seattle has been kept busy in recent months and recorded his second career success at Ballinrobe on Friday. An out and out stayer, the likeable gelding will be delivered late and should relish this extended 3m1f trip. Not So Simple represents the in-form Norman Lee yard and she is sure to have plenty of supporters after filling the runner-up spot at Ballinrobe most recently. Others of interest here are point-to-point victor Dangan Des Champs, Galway runner-up Getaclan and five-time winner Cluan Dara.
Prediction : 1st Crobally Boy 2nd Chief Seattle 3rd Not So Simple