UK Horse Racing Tips: Cork

ALASTOR hails from a yard in rampant form over the Christmas period and this looks a good opportunity on his hurdling debut. The Helmet gelding was a useful sort on the Flat winning a maiden in France and also finishing second in an Italian Group 2. He was purchased by current connections for 150,000 euro at Arqana just over a year ago. Gordons Aura appears one of his powerful yard's lesser lights but could pick up some minor money having shown promise at Leopardstown recently, while Dubai Clover wasn't disgraced behind Nusret before finding Listed company too hot at Aintree. Star Official, Whatcouldhavebeen and Action Motion are others to consider.
Prediction : 1st Alastor 2nd Gordons Aura 3rd Dubai Clover

A difficult race to weigh up with a number of these disappointing last time. CALDWELL DIAMOND got his season off to a bright start when beating The Big Doyen in a 16-runner Punchestown maiden hurdle but dropped away tamely on his only subsequent start over 2m4f at Hereford. Hopefully he can get back on track returning to this trip. Invictus Machin came from off the pace on debut to win a Down Royal maiden in good style but that race hasn't worked out well and he disappointed next time in a four-runner event at Punchestown. C&D winner Ney is another looking to bounce back after a below par effort last month. Viceregent's second to Marine Nationale at Punchestown reads well while Elusive Guy was in the process of running a big race when exiting two out at Limerick last week.
Prediction : 1st Caldwell Diamond 2nd Viceregent 3rd Elusive Guy

JAPERS JACK showed some promise in point-to-points and after being placed on his hurdle debut at Wexford, took another step forward when fifth to the highly regarded Grangeclare West in a 2m4f maiden at Navan. The Philip Fenton-trained gelding wasn't far behind Firm Footings who subsequently went close in a maiden at the Leopardstown Christmas meeting. Walk In The Brise won a Downpatrick bumper last summer and was placed over hurdles at Tramore last month, while Quite Incredible and Hans Gruber are others to note. The latter was second to Three Stripe Life in a Fairyhouse maiden hurdle and was off for a year before winning a point-to-point just before Christmas. Thunder Down Under was reappearing after an absence of over two years when pulled up lame at Down Royal and didn't fare any better at the Leopardstown Christmas meeting.
Prediction : 1st Japers Jack 2nd Walk In The Brise 3rd Hans Gruber

TAKARENGO has won four times on the Flat including a charity race at the Curragh last summer and gained his sole hurdle success in a maiden at this venue. The Tom Mullins-trained gelding has shaped well on his latest two starts in competitive three-mile handicaps and this trip should prove ideal. Lucky Max ran a cracker on his penultimate start over this trip at Naas while All Those Years won over two miles on testing ground on this card last year and market support would be significant after a six-month break. Rodaniche exited early on his reappearance at Navan, while Jiving Jerry has a chance on the pick of his form.
Prediction : 1st Takarengo 2nd Lucky Max 3rd Jiving Jerry

The father and son team of Tom and Bryan Cooper landed this race last year with Dancing Jeremy and may repeat the trick with PALADIAN JEWEL who has losses to recover after the subject of a major plunge (33/1 to 5/2) on his reappearance at Thurles. On the face of it he ran a solid enough race there when fourth to Scalor and may not need to progress much to take this. Hard Rain has been placed a number of times in handicap hurdles this term and made a bright start to handicap life over fences when third to Know The Game at Naas. Union Park has plenty of handicap experience over fences while Trishknowsbest, twice a winner over hurdles this season, and Chelseas Friend are others to consider.
Prediction : 1st Paladian Jewel 2nd Hard Rain 3rd Union Park

CARROLLS COTTAGE beat all bar Street Value in this race 12 months ago and comes here on the back of a much improved performance in first-time blinkers at Clonmel last month. The selection was only touched off close home by the odds-on Womalko and remains on a competitive mark. Ballyadam Destiny has gained all three wins over hurdles including over 2m6f at Galway in October and looks capable of winning over fences judged on his third to Difficult Decision at Limerick recently. Halsafari has been a model of consistency this season and has been placed on his latest two starts in decent handicap chases.
Prediction : 1st Carrolls Cottage 2nd Ballyadam Destiny 3rd Halsafari

Willie Mullins appears to have a conveyor belt of exciting new talent in recent weeks and FANCY GIRL could be another winner for the champion trainer. The Champs Elysees mare was bought for £200,000 at Aintree last spring just after winning a point-to-point at Ballyragget for Cormac Doyle and that form received a boost when the runner-up went one better next time in a Ludlow bumper. Double Dating represents another of the powerhouse yards and the half-sister to a bumper winner hails from a good family. Tilloughna is the pick of those with bumper experience and came home strongly when second to Marie Philippe at Fairyhouse last month.
Prediction : 1st Fancy Girl 2nd Double Dating 3rd Tilloughna