UK Horse Racing Tips: Roscommon

AGES OF MAN looks the one to beat. The well-bred son of New Approach showed promise over hurdles earlier this year, including when third to Hms Seahorse and Global Export at Fairyhouse. He subsequently found the company too hot behind Vauban in the Triumph Hurdle but this represents a significant drop in class. Aide De Camp shaped well on both bumper starts last season, including when beating all bar Imagine at Punchestown. Western Comandor has a similar profile, filling the runner-up spot twice in bumpers, including when going close at Sligo last month. Happywifehappylife is rated in the 70s on the Flat and has some experience over hurdles, while Solitary Man cost 60,000 euros at the Goffs Land Rover Sale last year and is one to note in the market.
Prediction : 1st Ages Of Man 2nd Aide De Camp 3rd Western Comandor

GOLDEN SANDBANKS has really got the winning habit, scoring three times (two chases/one over hurdles) over the past couple of months. The Paul Flynn-trained gelding had Happaugue close behind when just denied at Bellewstown before successfully switching to fences at Sligo. He remains on a competitive mark and likes good ground. Peace Party won two similar events last year and has been a model of consistency this term without getting his head in front. Red Striker is another in good form having won a Sligo hurdle last month and scored in fine style over fences at Ballinrobe last time. Well Funded got up close home to win at Listowel last Monday and should give a good account off a 5lb higher mark.
Prediction : 1st Golden Sandbanks 2nd Peace Party 3rd Red Striker

BETTY DUTTON has been placed on three of her four hurdle starts and may open her account following a decent effort at Listowel last week. The Edward O'Grady-trained filly just failed to peg back Evergreen And Red at Tramore and probably came up against a decent sort when third to Carrigmoorna Queen over this trip at Listowel. Beyond Ambitious was a decent sort in bumpers, winning at Wexford and taking second in a Grade 3 at the Punchestown Festival. She should benefit from a couple of runs since over hurdles, while Howaya C D And E was also successful in a bumper at Downpatrick and has been placed on both hurdle runs this summer. Dinero Falso filled the runner-up spot behind Mister Beeton over C&D this summer and is closely matched with Elusive Sea on running behind Bella Bliss at Sligo last month.
Prediction : 1st Betty Dutton 2nd Howaya C D And E 3rd Beyond Ambitious

BENKEI is without a win in over four years but has dropped down to a competitive mark and gave encouragement over an inadequate trip at Navan last time. Rachael Blackmore was also aboard when last scoring off a rating of 125 over 2m6f at Killarney. Hascoeur Clermont looks a progressive stayer having won on both outings when stepped up to three miles and further. He showed great reserves of stamina at Sligo last time, while Oskar High is another in great form. He's also proven over this trip and has returned to form in recent weeks with victories at Galway and Ballinrobe. The selection's stablemate Yenillik enters calculations on his recent third at Navan, while Lily Light Foot and Shannon Gray are consistent performers in this grade.
Prediction : 1st Benkei 2nd Hascoeur Clermont 3rd Oskar High

Sole Pretender is the pick of these over hurdles, scoring six times in that sphere, including a Grade 3 at Tipperary. He impressed when switched to fences at Ballinrobe in May and followed up over this C&D. However, he comes here under a cloud after bursting a blood vessel at Galway and slight preference is for SIT DOWN LUCY. She landed a valuable handicap hurdle at the Galway Festival and returned there earlier this month to make a winning start over fences, beating the well-fancied Hallowed Star in good style. Midnight Run looked an exciting sort in his early days, notably when an impressive winner from Colreevy in a Cork maiden hurdle. He's chased home the likes of Captain Guinness and Gabynako over fences, but was beaten by Enniskerry at Galway last time.
Prediction : 1st Sit Down Lucy 2nd Sole Pretender 3rd Midnight Run

MALINA GIRL looks to have been presented with a real opportunity to open her account over fences. The Gavin Cromwell-trained mare has already shown an aptitude for chasing having finished second on three separate occasions since switching from hurdles. Boasting the highest rating of any of these at the former discipline and arriving here with crucial handicap experience, she should get off the mark. Wild Caprice went very close on her fencing debut at Tipperary in July, but failed to back that up subsequently. A repeat of that initial run would give her every chance. Point-to-point winner North Of Nashville should appreciate stepping up in trip. The Soldier Of Fortune mare has a bit to find on hurdles form but looks the type to make a better chaser.
Prediction : 1st Malina Girl 2nd Wild Caprice 3rd North Of Nashville

The application of first-time cheekpieces may enable the twice-raced Willie Mullins-trained UNBRIDLED POWER to raise his game. Sent off favourite on each occasion, the gelding showed ability without looking an obvious candidate to win his bumper. However, connections look to have found a suitable opening here with few opponents catching the eye. Affordale Fury has to be of interest given his point-to-point success, but that form looks average at best. At the same time, he could only go and win on the day, something he managed to achieve with a bit in hand. Village Lady and Never Seen Again are worthy of consideration on debut, as is the John McConnell-trained West Away.
Prediction : 1st Unbridled Power 2nd Affordale Fury 3rd West Away