UK Horse Racing Tips: Wexford

There was talk of IMAGINE being aimed at the Cheltenham Festival after he won his bumper by a wide margin at Punchestown in February. He justified strong market support and jockey Jamie Codd spoke very highly of him afterwards. He could be an exciting recruit to the hurdling ranks. Innatendue holds a rating of 123 and was a smart juvenile hurdler. She was runner-up in Listed and Grade 2 hurdles before finishing last of six in a Grade 1. This ground will be much slower than she has faced, but it isn't an obvious disadvantage for Spanish Moon's progeny. Ages Of Man fell two out when leading in a maiden hurdle at Roscommon in September. He was placed behind a more-than-useful horse on testing ground in a maiden hurdle at Fairyhouse in February, so is one to consider. Henry de Bromhead introduces Atimetodream, who is worth a market check.
Prediction : 1st Imagine 2nd Innatendue 3rd Ages Of Man

WEE WILLIE NAIL can land a tight race. He got off the mark in a maiden hurdle at Gowran Park on his last start, and has a notable piece of form on heavy ground when placed behind the subsequent Galway Hurdle third at Cork. Itwasfate jumped well to deliver in Kilbeggan. He has to carry top weight, but his form entitles him to respect. This ground enhances Big Island's chance. He was well beaten at Tipperary on good to yielding ground, but is likely to be much more of a factor with the mud flying.
Prediction : 1st Wee Willie Nail 2nd Itwasfate 3rd Big Island

NAVIGATOR JACK was able to take a lead in the first-time hood at Fairyhouse and didn't run badly at all in third. It is worth noting that the last time he encountered testing ground, he won at Listowel in June. Our Bobby is running consistently and obliged by six lengths on rain-softened ground at this track in June. Laser Focus is likely to be popular on the back of a neck second in Tramore. He wouldn't need much more to make the breakthrough, although this will be the slowest ground he has faced. Missiee has been off since April, but is a definite mudlark and knows how to win on this ground. This is a big drop in trip, though.
Prediction : 1st Navigator Jack 2nd Our Bobby 3rd Laser Focus

Former point-to-point winner HARRY DES ONGRAIS showed his first track form when fourth over this trip at Gowran Park and looks poised to improve. He is by a French sire who is producing soft and heavy-ground winners. Simpletwistoffaith has posted a pair of fourth places in maiden hurdles at Kilbeggan and with a 7lb claimer on his back, should make his presence felt. There is likely to be more to come from Happy Victory, particularly in this company. Drumderry Harlem has shown ability in bumpers and when fourth behind Laser Focus in Tramore. She shouldn't be a backmarker.
Prediction : 1st Harry Des Ongrais 2nd Simpletwistoffaith 3rd Happy Victory

RUN WILD FRED is entitled to come on plenty from his seasonal reappearance when second in a Grade 3 at Punchestown. He is well capable of dictating from the front, as he did in last year's Troytown at Navan. Irish National runner-up Frontal Assault returned with a staying-on success on soft ground at Galway in early October. He is far from advantaged by the weights in this contest, but is likely to give his backers a good run for their money. Aintree Grand National hero Noble Yeats sets the standard with a rating of 158. He makes this a very competitive race, but may be best watched after being pulled up in the early stages of a race in France on his return to action.
Prediction : 1st Run Wild Fred 2nd Frontal Assault 3rd Noble Yeats

CAYD BOY looks the part. He is clearly a more than useful hurdler who reached a mark of 149 after winning at Grade B level and finishing runner-up in Grade A handicap hurdle. He has had two runs over fences and was placed in both, including when second in this race last year. His third behind a subsequent Grade 1 winner in a beginners' chase at Fairyhouse reads very well. Marvel De Cerisy is a point-to-point winner who showed plenty of ability over hurdles, especially when routing the field in a Killarney maiden hurdle. He could readily take to this discipline. Impervious ran up a hat-trick over hurdles, including a Grade 3 at Down Royal. She is a more-than-interesting recruit to chasing. Gavin Cromwell's Stumptown was backed for his chasing debut in Galway, but came in a remote third. That effort must be put into context, though, as the winner looked well above average. His stablemate Yeah Man was a place behind him in fourth. Palace Rock won twice over hurdles and is another to note on his chasing debut.
Prediction : 1st Cayd Boy 2nd Marvel De Cerisy 3rd Stumptown

LANDRAKE never travelled when last seen at Downpatrick in March, but is better judged on his keeping-on second in a heavy-ground bumper at Navan. He has had time off and can resume his career with a victory. Master Player has switched to Shark Hanlon after a third place in Listowel. The form of that race has been franked, so he warrants respect. Ringsend John has been placed in a pair of bumpers. He wasn't close to the winner in either, but can run another solid race. Good Land has been off for almost two years since a promising runner-up berth at Fairyhouse. Market support would be significant.
Prediction : 1st Landrake 2nd Master Player 3rd Ringsend John