UK Horse Racing Tips: Cork

BLOOD DESTINY looks a likely sort for Willie Mullins. He is another sourced from France, where he finished runner-up in a conditions hurdle at Auteuil in April. The horse behind him in third has since landed a Listed hurdle to enhance the form. Realism, who was third in a Group 3 at the Curragh in August for Aidan O'Brien, is an interesting recruit for Joseph O'Brien to go hurdling with. He is well worth checking for market strength. Poets Cottage showed some promise in this discipline when third at Down Royal and fourth in Navan. Realism's stablemate Libby is another hurdling newcomer to note.
Prediction : 1st Blood Destiny 2nd Realism 3rd Poets Cottage

ARCTIC BRESIL made 305,000gns at the sales and has to be taken very seriously on his debut over flights. Henry de Bromhead reported in a recent stable tour that he works like a smart horse, and he has an entry in the Grade 1 Future Champions Novice Hurdle at Leopardstown over Christmas. Mercurey was mightily impressive in winning his first bumper by 13 lengths at Gowran Park in January. That earned him a shot at a Listed bumper at Limerick in March, where he was a beaten favourite in third. He's had a summer's grass and could be a horse to look forward to. Former point-to-point and bumper winner Corbetts Cross is entitled to plenty of respect and ran a very good race in second on his hurdling bow at Clonmel. Cadatharla was a never-nearer seventh in a big field at Naas. Winners have come out of that race, so he could get closer.
Prediction : 1st Arctic Bresil 2nd Mercurey 3rd Corbetts Cross

HIDDENVALLEY LAKE ought to relish this staying test. He is up in trip after winning his maiden hurdle over 2m3f at Naas last month, and the form of that race has been well franked. It is worth noting that he was carried out at the last when set to win his point-to-point over 3m in Ballindenisk. Cool Survivor rallied well to land a novice hurdle over C&D, which will stand him in good stead for this task. He looks well equipped for another battle. Letsbeclearaboutit didn't run badly at all in second behind a short-priced winner of a Down Royal maiden hurdle. He has plenty of ability, as second-placed finishes in both a Grade 2 and a Listed bumper show. Connections think highly of Monbeg Park, who showed off his engine in Punchestown.
Prediction : 1st Hiddenvalley Lake 2nd Cool Survivor 3rd Letsbeclearaboutit

IMPERVIOUS is a Grade 3 winner over hurdles who really took to fences in Wexford. She has had a nice break since that victory on heavy ground at the end of October, and connections have her entered in a Grade 1 novice chase at Leopardstown later in the month. Willie Mullins' Dinoblue is a big player. She enjoyed a more-than-pleasing start to her chasing career over C&D last month, making all, and her jumping is a big asset. She beat Roseys Hollow by three and three-quarter lengths and it is hard to see the latter overturning that form. Mullins also saddles Instit, who was runner-up in a Listed mares' novice hurdle at Punchestown in April. She gets the four-year-old allowance and has every chance of getting in the mix.
Prediction : 1st Impervious 2nd Dinoblue 3rd Instit

ENERGUMENE is very hard to get away from, particularly on official ratings. He is rated 19lb higher than Master McShee and the pair race off level weights. On his last two starts, Energumene landed the Queen Mother Champion Chase at Cheltenham and the Champion Chase at Punchestown in decisive fashion. He has won off a break before, claimed this prize 12 months ago, and is a chaser of the highest calibre. Master McShee is a credit to Paddy Corkery. He won a Grade 1 novice chase at Limerick last Christmas and keeps turning up in the big races. He has come home runner-up in his last three outings and could be set for more place money. Epson Du Houx is closely matched with Master McShee at the weights. He has an absence of more than a year to overcome, but was in winning form when last seen in a handicap chase over C&D.
Prediction : 1st Energumene 2nd Master McShee 3rd Epson Du Houx

LOW LIE THE FIELDS was a fair third in a better class of race over C&D last month. He gets first-time cheekpieces and should be involved off the same mark, with Mike O'Connor claiming 5lb again. Gorgeous Suspect is a handicap debutant who has flashed ability in three maidens, including when placed at Punchestown and Fairyhouse. Gali Flight is in decent form after placed runs over this trip in Gowran Park and Thurles. Emily Roebling dips her toes into handicap company for the first time on her seasonal reappearance. She took the runner-up berth in her last two starts in mares' maiden hurdles, so is one to consider. Moonovercloon and Gendarme could bounce back from disappointing recent runs. Rachael Blackmore is a notable booking for Robindevidastar.
Prediction : 1st Low Lie The Fields 2nd Gorgeous Suspect 3rd Gali Flight

POSITIVE THINKER put in his best effort to date when runner-up over 2m5f in Limerick last month. That was his handicap debut, so it fair to assume there is more to come from him. Light Parade is in good form after building upon a second place at this track with a victory in Thurles. A 7lb rise is far from insurmountable. I Sea The Moon has been off track for more than a year but represents a shrewd stable, so a market check is advised. Londonofficecallin could exploit a light weight, while West Breeze reverts from fences to hurdles and has a chance with Liam McKenna taking 7lb off his back. Loup De Tallane and Champagne Auction are others to consider in this massive field.
Prediction : 1st Positive Thinker 2nd Light Parade 3rd I Sea The Moon