UK Horse Racing Tips: Dundalk

DALVEY takes a drop in grade here and should be good enough to strike at this level. The Dansili gelding is a dual course and distance winner and despite slipping a few pounds in the ratings recently is still comfortably the best of these off a mark of 83. He was rated 99 at one stage and has shown enough in a couple of recent runs to suggest he still has enough ability to beat these rivals. Stablemate Sweeping Statement won last time out at Bellewstown but looks to have a bit to find, getting 5lb from the selection. Supposedtobe could be a danger at the weights. He won a claimer over a similar trip at Roscommon last time and may have a bit more upside than some of his rivals.
Prediction : 1st Dalvey 2nd Supposedtobe 3rd Sweeping Statement

DRACO PULCHRAC comes here in great form and may be able to land the hat-trick despite a another 11lb hike for her win over slightly further here three weeks ago. She has been a cosy winner on her last two runs on the all-weather and the old adage about following a filly in form looks apt here. Darkened stayed on well when third at Killarney four days ago and looks worth a shot over further again now. Turf Range completed a hat-trick here last December but that came over a 13 month period and he has had his injury issues. The six-year-old may be best watched on his return.
Prediction : 1st Draco Pulchrac 2nd Darkened 3rd Turf Range

LONGBOURN just didn't get home here last time over a mile-and-a-half and dropping back in trip will suit now. The Mukhadram gelding travelled like the winner early in the straight but got outstayed inside the final furlong by Gulliver's Travels in a conditions event. He has eased another pound since that run and looks on a nice mark now having dropped 5lb since the start of the season. Once Upon A River is another who may be better dropping back slightly in trip. He faded on his return at Roscommon in late August, over just over a furlong further, and may also strip fitter for that run. Free To Party also drops in trip after making little impression at Down Royal last time and is another to consider.
Prediction : 1st Longbourn 2nd Once Upon A River 3rd Free To Party

SKIP JAMES looks capable of landing a nursery off this kind of mark. The Expert Eye gelding showed plenty of promise, despite missing the kick, when third on his debut at Fairyhouse before getting bogged down in the ground on his return from a break at Cork. Last time back at Fairyhouse over this seven-furlong trip he again flew home and was just denied by Approaching Bear. He's actually a pound worse off now but is fancied to turn the tables with that rival. Approaching Bear got the run of things in front last time and is more exposed. Pub Talk had Approaching Bear back in third when winning at Down Royal and he has to be on the shortlist now with Jamie Powell taking a useful 7lb off his back.
Prediction : 1st Skip James 2nd Pub Talk 3rd Approaching Bear

THE BOG BANK has really discovered the knack of winning since getting her in front for the first time at Bellewstown in June. She followed up at this venue and returned to Bellewstown last month to register another victory.1m is clearly her optimum trip but she can score over this distance given the form she's in with regular partner James Ryan once again doing the steering. Ex-Ballydoyle inmate Instrumental chased home Tawaazon in a 6f claiming maiden here before making a successful handicap debut over 1m a fortnight ago. Like the selection, he's up 5lb in the ratings but remains in the same grade and should go well. Tawaazon was placed in a handicap here off 5lb higher early in the year and his confidence will have been boosted by making the breakthrough, but he hasn't shown much when previously trying 7f.
Prediction : 1st The Bog Bank 2nd Instrumental 3rd Tawaazon

EGLISH is a rock-solid performer at this venue with five course wins to her name including three over this distance. She has finished runner-up on her last two visits and was beaten just a short head over 7f last Friday. A 3lb rise leaves her with a big impost to carry but she can defy top-weight of 10st 4lb. Maestro Stick won over course and distance in the spring and found only one too good over 1m on his return to polytrack a fortnight ago. A good run by Instrumental in the first division would advertise his chance. Chica Power also scored over course and distance early in the year and shaped like a return to this trip would suit when third over 1m here last month. Colin Keane has ridden her a couple of times and is back on board.
Prediction : 1st Eglish 2nd Maestro Stick 3rd Chica Power

It looked like MARSA didn't quite stay 1m when fading into sixth at Bellewstown last time having hit the front at the furlong marker. The dual course winner has two victories over 7f on her ledger and can overcome being 2lb out of the handicap. Sistine Madonna was runner-up in a maiden at this venue before going one better at Gowran. She was second on handicap bow at Cork two months ago and comes into this a relatively fresh filly after a light campaign. Hodd's Girl won three sprints here for Michael Halford and has won two of her first three starts for her new trainer. She showed that staying 7f was well within her compass when winning here a month ago but defying a 10lb rise might just be beyond her.
Prediction : 1st Marsa 2nd Sistine Madonna 3rd Hodds Girl

Those with form look vulnerable to a useful newcomer and BUA might fit the bill. The daughter of Dark Angel cost 115,000 pounds as a yearling and is out of a Listed winner over 5f. She'll need to be on the ball from the gates to take advantage of her draw on the inside but one can trust that Paddy Twomey will have her ready and he's a trainer who has plenty of winning debutants. Lord Abama was returning from four months off, having been gelded in the interim, when third over 7f here a fortnight ago. He has five lengths to find with Karakoul who was runner-up on that occasion but should be sharper for the run, gets headgear and may be better suited by this shorter trip than that rival. Greek Flower was first home in a barrier trial here before competing in turf maidens. She was unlucky in running when third over 5f at Down Royal and should go well with her rider's 7lb claim a big help.
Prediction : 1st Bua 2nd Lord Abama 3rd Greek Flower