UK Horse Racing Tips: Dundalk

ALJADY was a smart sprinter with Robert Cowell holding a career high rating of 107 and was bought cheaply by current connections last autumn. The Bated Breath gelding made a belated seasonal debut with a creditable effort behind Downforce at the Curragh last month and appears well treated here. Denis Hogan holds a strong hand as he also saddles Majestic Colt, third to hotpot Bucky Larson in a claimer over a mile here last week, who will be suited by this shorter trip. James McAuley is always a force here in claimers and has declared five runners with Tai Sing Yeh and Eglish both coming here in good form.
Prediction : 1st Aljady 2nd Majestic Colt 3rd Tai Sing Yeh

EL TESORO came up against Little Big Bear on debut in May and was absent for five months before heavily backed in the Curragh maiden won by another impressive Ballydoyle juvenile in Hispanic. The Donnacha O'Brien-trained colt is now fitted with cheek pieces and Paddy Harnett claims 7lb switching to a modest handicap after gaining experience of this surface under a fortnight ago. There is little to choose between the selection and Not Too Real Bad on running at the Curragh and Tom Mullins' charge also has form that closely ties in with Zaza Zut here last Wednesday. Hilltop's Bear probably ran his best race when going close at this venue back in July and should be suited by these conditions after finding no extra in the closing stages on his latest two soft ground outings.
Prediction : 1st El Tesoro 2nd Not Too Real Bad 3rd Zaza Zut

OH CLEO made a pleasing debut over a mile at Navan in August and, with the benefit of that experience, looks the one to beat. The Gleneagles filly showed plenty of pace on that occasion and should be well suited by this drop back in trip. Cyclamen has shown a decent level of form but has yet to win in ten starts. She has gone close on a number of occasions including when reappearing in a 1m2f Leopardstown handicap this spring but needs to bounce back after a very disappointing run on testing ground at the Curragh. Ebtsama was placed twice over this trip on the all-weather for James Tate, while Silent Vigil showed promise on debut here recently over a mile.
Prediction : 1st Oh Cleo 2nd Cyclamen 3rd Ebtsama

LINUS LARRABEE gained both career wins over this C&D and now returns to the polytrack after two good runs on testing ground at Navan last month. The Eddie Lynam-trained gelding appears to have appreciated the discarding of headgear lately. Wee Pablo has also recorded both his wins over seven furlongs but is not as proven on this surface, while Circles enters calculations on her latest run here over a mile. Killian Leonard lost his irons on that occasion but she still ran a cracker behind Zonik. James McAuley has a trio of contenders. War Hero has won five times over C&D and is dropping down to a competitive mark while Florence Thompson may appreciate stepping back up to this trip.
Prediction : 1st Linus Larrabee 2nd Circles 3rd War Hero

FINKE RIVER showed promise when switched to the polytrack here in September behind Darkdeserthighway and opened his account in decisive fashion when dropped to this trip last Wednesday. The James McAuley-trained gelding had both Lady Liza and Hot Bell behind when getting nicely on top in the closing stages and can defy a 9lb hike in the ratings. Vivaia also shaped well in the other division over C&D on that card and is entitled to progress. That came after a three-month break and was also her first run on the surface. Silver Nemo merits consideration if seeing out this extra furlong, while Woodrow justified good support on his last try over this trip back in February.
Prediction : 1st Finke River 2nd Vivaia 3rd Silver Nemo

The former Aidan O'Brien-trained INSTRUMENTAL has appreciated stepping up to this trip notably when beating subsequent winners Maestro Stick and Zonik in September. The selection has continued to be competitive off a higher mark including behind The Mpex Kid last week. Breezy Zoff appears versatile ground wise having run well here in a maiden and also on good ground earlier this year before causing a shock when landing a 29-runner Curragh handicap in testing conditions last month. The handicapper has reacted by raising her 13lb. Superior Force won twice for George Boughey including over a mile and is of interest dropping down into this grade.
Prediction : 1st Instrumental 2nd Breezy Zoff 3rd Superior Force

JE T'AI PORTE won a maiden over a mile here 12 months ago for Mick Halford and was claimed by current connections after filling the runner-up spot at Gowran in August. The selection was having her first run since when finishing well here recently again over a mile behind Zonik and hopefully she can stay this longer trip. St Cianans Fire enjoyed the step up to 1m1f when successful at Punchestown this autumn and was subsequently placed when tackling this trip at Down Royal. Spirituoso won over C&D earlier this year and showed her versatility ground wise when scoring in fine style at Navan in September. Ballycommon Chapel, Chimeric and Out On Friday are others to consider.
Prediction : 1st Je Tai Porte 2nd St Cianans Fire 3rd Ballycommon Chapel

VIRTUAL HUG has dropped down to what appears a competitive mark. The Conor O'Dwyer-trained gelding won a juvenile maiden hurdle last year and made a bright reappearance when staying on over an extended 1m1f at Gowran Park this summer. He's been soundly beaten twice since over hurdles but is given another chance back on the Flat. Forgetmenotblue has been consistent at a variety of trips this year including over this distance at Down Royal last time. Bringsty beat Mosaaheb in a claimer on the beach at Laytown and the latter has since joined Shark Hanlon, while Gemini Man needs to settle better to have a chance at this trip.
Prediction : 1st Virtual Hug 2nd Forgetmenotblue 3rd Mosaaheb