UK Horse Racing Tips: Dundalk

CONGO RIVER should prove hard to beat in this. The Mendelssohn colt has a mark of 97 after a big run to finish second at Navan last time out. He was just collared late on by Beauty Crescent then over an extended five furlongs and dropping back slightly in trip now should help. The US-bred colt had a couple of good runs over six earlier in the campaign but has looked like he might be best at the minimum. Dontspoilasale, a winner at Naas on his penultimate outing, is a solid sort and has to be respected but this looks a tough task given weight to a horse rated 13lb superior. Bellewstown winner Charming Lady struggled in stakes company last time but could be place material dropping class.
Prediction : 1st Congo River 2nd Dontspoilasale 3rd Charming Lady

ARINNITI ran into a determined rival in Executive Decision on her first start for Paddy Twomey at Navan 13 days ago. She had also been runner-up on her debut back in June and can make it third time lucky now. The Karakontie filly may come on for her recent run, her first for a new yard and after a little break. Pop Star looks an obvious danger and is another open to further improvement on his third outing. He stepped forward from his debut run when chasing home Sioux Spirit at Navan and a similar effort should see him go close now. Bird Of Play was ahead of Pop Star when second on his debut at the Curragh but disappointed slightly last time when a short price at Naas. It will be interesting how he performs now. Thunderbear has some solid form and sets a good standard off a mark of 83. He is another that has to come into calculations.
Prediction : 1st Arinniti 2nd Pop Star 3rd Thunderbear

COUSIN SHAY hasn't fared too well here with the draw but may be worth a shot as he's one of the least exposed of these. The Cotai Glory gelding ran a big race when the subject of a gamble here in January, finishing second to Sangria. With the recent easing of the ratings he's now rated a couple of pounds lower. Tynamite has recent form here having been second to Royal Scholar last month. He is a pound lower and Jamie Powell takes a valuable 7lb off his back again. Finke River ran a nice race when fourth on his handicap debut at Gowran and is another unexposed three-year-old to note.
Prediction : 1st Cousin Shay 2nd Tynamite 3rd Finke River

COVIGLIA has been running very consistently and may be able to bag another win back at Dundalk having scored over course and distance back in March. That was a shock success then off 58 but he has proven it was no fluke with a series of solid efforts over the summer. From a nice draw he has an obvious chance here. Barnhill Rose was runner-up at Gowran last time and if she can repeat that showing she's another leading contender. The Bog Bank is another consistent performer at this level and could be place material.
Prediction : 1st Coviglia 2nd Barnhill Rose 3rd The Bog Bank

HODD'S GIRL looks worth another shot over this trip. Her four wins have come over sprint distances but she wasn't stopping at the line when winning on her penultimate outing at Navan. It was a solid effort on the beach at Laytown last time having been hammered with a 15lb hike for that success and she has been eased 4lb since. Soyounique ran well when chasing home Mullacash Buzz at Roscommon late last month and despite a 3lb higher mark here he has to be on any shortlist. Bringsty won a claimer at Laytown last time and could go well back in handicap company despite a 4lb rise.
Prediction : 1st Hodds Girl 2nd Soyounique 3rd Bringsty

EFFERNOCK FIZZ may be worth a shot here having been eased 6lb in the recent readjustment of ratings. The Lovelace mare is best when making the running and didn't help herself by missing the kick and having to make up ground early at the Curragh last time. It wasn't a bad run in the end and having dropped a few pounds now she looks on a winnable mark again on the level. Very Excellent has been a bit disappointing over hurdles on his last couple of outings but won here back in March and a return to the venue may ignite a bit of a spark again. Arctic Blaze was a winner last time out at Tipperary and has to be on the short-list despite a 6lb rise for that victory.
Prediction : 1st Effernock Fizz 2nd Very Excellent 3rd Arctic Blaze

DALVEY may be worth siding with here on his return to action. The James McAuley-trained gelding is a three-time course winner and stays this trip well, having won over as far as two miles. He is the second highest rated in the field and the fact that he acts so well on the surface is a big asset. Longbourn is top rated with a mark of 92 but this mile-and-a-half may just be as far as he wants to go. His two career successes have come over nine and ten furlongs but he did run a big race over this trip at Galway last summer in a valuable contest. Ballydoyle colt Gulliver's Travels was probably only doing enough when scoring at Cork last month and is open to further improvement. This is tougher against battle hardened performers but he could play a big part.
Prediction : 1st Dalvey 2nd Longbourn 3rd Gullivers Travels

SPIRITUOSO ended a run of placed efforts with a cosy success at Navan last time and may be able to follow up despite an 8lb rise for that victory. The Charm Spirit filly had been knocking on the door and things worked out well last time. She is obviously in a good place and brings strong form into a moderate enough contest. Ragtime Red was a big price when winning from out of the handicap here last month. He has a good record at the venue and could go well again having effectively only gone up 4lb. Wojood had a good month last month with two wins and a solid fourth placed effort at Tipperary. He is another for the short-list.
Prediction : 1st Spirituoso 2nd Ragtime Red 3rd Wojood