UK Horse Racing Tips: Dundalk

FRENCH RESCUE can go one better now, having finished runner-up in a more competitive affair here before the Christmas break. The John Geoghegan-trained gelding proved no match for the winner on the day but the form has been franked by those behind. Well Suited was strong in the market prior to finishing a staying on fifth over course and distance last time. The Thomond O'Mara-trained gelding has dropped a long way in the weights in recent times and has to be of interest in this bottom grade. Leclerc was unable to complete the hat-trick here recently but the headgear which had appeared to improve the five-year-old was dispensed with on that occasion. With connections refitting the visor now, a better run can be expected. Clarinbridge, who finished in front of Leclerc when they met earlier this month, should also be noted in first-time blinkers.
Prediction : 1st French Rescue 2nd Well Suited 3rd Leclerc

REVERBERATION probably ran as well as could have been expected when second behind a handicap blot here last time, so should have every chance of getting his head in front. The eight-year-old isn't the easiest horse to win with, especially given his running style, requiring plenty of luck with gaps opening at the right time. However, he is a decent performer in this grade and should be involved given a clear passage. Indiana Grey is another that tends to come from off the pace, although she did race prominently when winning at Cork in September. Pat Martin's mare showed that she was close to another success when staying on late over 7f last time. Dutch Glory steps up to a mile for the first time now and must also have a live chance if her stamina holds out.
Prediction : 1st Reverberation 2nd Indiana Grey 3rd Dutch Glory

Although yet to win over a mile, HIGHTIMEYOUWON gives every indication that he will be suited to this step up in trip. Formerly a smart sprinter for Dermot Weld, the seven-year-old lost his way somewhat but has been revitalised by the switch to Ado McGuinness. In each of his three starts for current connections, including when successful here last time, he has hit a flat spot in his race before staying on strongly. At this stage of his career, the longer distance looks the preferred option. Final Voyage is another who should be at his best over the mile trip. The Johnny Murtagh-trained gelding had been running well over shorter before finishing runner-up here recently. Ransom, who has been absent since October, is also worth considering provided he is fit after a break.
Prediction : 1st Hightimeyouwon 2nd Final Voyage 3rd Ransom

Four-time course winner SAN ANDREAS can record another Dundalk success in this tight knit affair. The Joseph O'Brien-trained gelding had been running slightly below par for much of the summer but returned to form when runner-up back at this venue last time. A prominent racer, he should be ideally suited to this small field and jockey Hugh Horgan has been in excellent form throughout the winter. Real Appeal is of obvious interest on his first start for new connections but the six-year-old is perhaps best watched on his first try on an all-weather surface. Anthem National, a winner at Newcastle last February, is one to keep on side on his debut for the Joseph O'Brien yard. Angels Wrath has a bit to find on ratings but is a thoroughly unexposed filly.
Prediction : 1st San Andreas 2nd Real Appeal 3rd Anthem National

OCEAN SYMPHONY has a fine pedigree and ran well on debut in November. Out of a Godolphin-bred mare, she is a sibling to nine winners, including a UAE Oaks winner, and having finishing fourth in a barrier trial, was slowly away on debut before finishing well. The runner-up has since won, adding weight to the form. Vittoria Colanna was well backed when disappointing on debut but showed more last week. Despite her modest introduction, she again attracted market support on January 13, showing improved form and comfortably holds stablemate Parana Delta, Miss Caruso and Lisgin, despite her same rider now only claiming 7lb. Nation Of Stars, probably unsuited by testing ground on debut, ran well here recently, finishing ahead of Parana Delta, but needs to improve to win now stepping up a furlong. Lily Maguire finished ahead of Vittoria Colanna, who disappointed, on their respective debuts but is now 13lb worse off. Angel Above needs to improve.
Prediction : 1st Ocean Symphony 2nd Vittoria Colanna 3rd Nation Of Stars

AMPESON beat Dream Today (into third) and Hodd's Girl (fourth) to win over course and distance in December, with little now separating the consistent trio,. Ampeson, unplaced in a subsequent smart handicap won by a 100-rated winner, is 8lb worse of with Dream Today for that one-and-a-quarter-length defeat while Dream Today is now 2lb better off with Hodd's Girl from their meeting last month. Collective Power's three wins have been over five furlongs but has been placed at this distance and is in form while lightly-weighted Tawaazon is suited by this distance but was beaten in a recent claimer.
Prediction : 1st Ampeson 2nd Dream Today 3rd Hodds Girl

ARCH ENEMY has been running over shorter flat distances and stepping up to this distance could bring about some improvement. Her previous wins were gained over six furlongs and 1m1f but has useful hurdles form, suggesting she will cope with this distance, and bumped into two nicely handicapped rivals when finishing third over a mile recently. Nevada Brave won well from 5lb lower recently and also steps up to this distance for the first time. Today's same rider claims a full 7lb (against 4lb last time) and he likes this surface. Gracesolution was a close second over C&D recently and is also suited by course and distance. Maura's Gift finished behind Gracesolution in that same contest but was a C&D winner in November, beating Chateau Musar.
Prediction : 1st Arch Enemy 2nd Nevada Brave 3rd Gracesolution

MR MILLS has competed well from low handicap ratings and is in form. All his turf handicap form is on testing ground but has run well, and won, over shorter distances on the all-weather recently. He should cope with a 6lb rise for last month's win and more progression is possible, back at this distance. Celtic Revival is a 14-race maiden who has tried a variety of distances but ran well on his first attempt over this trip recently, beating Too Bright into fifth, which admittedly met some traffic trouble in-running. Sand Castle is forgiven his Christmas defeat, being over hurdles and on unsuitably soft ground, but was a C&D winner when well backed in early December, although he is 8lb higher now. Eastern Tornado is well suited by this surface and solid place claims.
Prediction : 1st Mr Mills 2nd Celtic Revival 3rd Too Bright