UK Horse Racing Tips: Wexford

JOYEUX MACHIN is arguably the pick of the four bumper winners in the line-up. The Saddler Maker gelding beat all bar the top-class Facile Vega at Leopardstown last Christmas before scoring at Navan. His form tapered off afterwards but he remains an interesting recruit to hurdles. The Mediator looked smart when successful at Down Royal 12 months ago and should progress from his hurdling debut behind Saylavee at Gowran last month. Feddans and course winner Crossgales Ophelia have also won bumpers. Inthepocket won a point-to-point for Paul Cashman at Moig last November and was snapped up by current connections the following month for 290,000 pounds at Cheltenham. The Blue Bresil gelding is obviously held in high regard, and it will be interesting to note how strong he is in the market.
Prediction : 1st Joyeux Machin 2nd The Mediator 3rd Inthepocket

HAPPYWIFEHAPPYLIFE won a barrier trial at Dundalk last year and showed she was versatile ground-wise on the Flat when runner-up twice on testing ground for Joseph O'Brien. The selection also has some experience over hurdles and was far from disgraced at Limerick last Christmas. Vocito has plenty of experience over hurdles but may not be favoured by the ground conditions, while Tipperary runner-up On The Tide, Aide De Camp and Jaariam have all shown promise in bumpers. The well-bred Abbeydale was very disappointing on debut in a Listowel bumper last month but is surely capable of better.
Prediction : 1st Happywifehappylife 2nd On The Tide 3rd Vocito

MY DESIGN kept some good company last season, including when second to Minella Cocooner before winning a Fairyhouse maiden over this trip. The Declan Queally-trained mare handled testing ground well when a creditable third to Brampton Belle in a Listed race at Navan. Sea Sessions won a Listed race on soft ground at Aintree last term and was just denied again in that grade at Doncaster. She's made little impact in two recent outings on the Flat but they may give her a fitness edge. Martha Divine is another proven on the ground and showed good reserves of stamina when successful over 2m6f in a Punchestown maiden.
Prediction : 1st My Design 2nd Sea Sessions 3rd Martha Divine

CHAMPAGNE VACATION reappears after a year's absence but appears fairly treated on the form of his latest outing in a Galway maiden for Pat Kelly. The Getaway gelding beat all bar the useful Colonel Mustard, with bumper winner Harry Alonso back in third. The ground shouldn't be a worry and some market support would be encouraging on his handicap debut. Crimson Chief is on a hat-trick after scoring over longer trips at Kilbeggan and Galway, while point-to-point winner Tango Theatre has caught the eye a few times over hurdles. Fox Le Bel is a frustrating sort to follow but can't be discounted, while Millies Dream, Hit The Button, Poppy Rose and King Gresel are all open to improvement.
Prediction : 1st Champagne Vacation 2nd Crimson Chief 3rd Fox Le Bel

GOLD CUP BAILLY holds plenty of interest in a race for horses that have not won over hurdles. The point-to-point winner has some eyecatching form over hurdles, notably when making a race of it with Ahoy Senor over this trip at Ayr before that smart winner went on to take a Grade 1 at Aintree. Banntown Girl is another with useful placed form over hurdles, including behind Party Central at Punchestown and Leopardstown. Eyre Square and point-to-point winner The Folkes Tiara are others to consider, but Fameaftertheglory needs to jump much better than he did at Galway earlier this month.
Prediction : 1st Gold Cup Bailly 2nd Banntown Girl 3rd The Folkes Tiara

This looks a good opportunity for OPTIONAL MIX after going close at Limerick last Sunday. The Eoin Doyle-trained mare has handled soft ground well in the past and after scoring in good style at Thurles this spring, has returned to fill the runner-up spot on both recent chase starts, including when touched off by Gevrey last time. Sargent Lightfoot has won twice at Kilbeggan this year, including over fences last month, and has some form on testing ground a few years ago. Pat Coyne is on a hat-trick after scoring at the Listowel Festival but the ground must be a worry, while Presenting Point should be nearing peak fitness following a couple of runs over hurdles.
Prediction : 1st Optional Mix 2nd Sargent Lightfoot 3rd Presenting Point

LEITRIM PARK made a promising debut at Limerick this spring for Willie Mullins and again advertised her chance at Clonmel last month when beating all bar Lady Of The Vale. The daughter of Walk In The Park tends to race quite keenly and has since joined Ciaran Murphy. Glory Liss has been placed on both starts and looks the chief threat, although Ballycashin and Grace Shelby have also shown promise and can't be lightly discounted. New York Style is one to note in the market being by Robin Des Champs and out of Que Pasa, a four-time winner including a bumper and Grade 3-placed.
Prediction : 1st Leitrim Park 2nd Glory Liss 3rd New York Style