UK Horse Racing Tips: Dundalk

SKY LEGEND appeals on his fourth start in Ireland. He was placed over an extended 1m7f at Kempton in September and showed that a victory may not be far away when keeping on well for a close third over a shorter trip at this track last month. The way Bambeano has been running over 1m4f at this track bodes well for this step up in trip. She got up to score by a neck on her penultimate start before staying on to be a never-nearer third at the start of the month. Mephisto has to rate a threat after successfully stepping up to this trip on his last start. That was a slowly-run affair, but it is hard to crib his performance at the business end. Vee Dancer is unexposed on the Flat and makes his Polytrack debut. Annecherie is out of form, but won this last year and jockey Cian MacRedmond had a double here last Friday.
Prediction : 1st Sky Legend 2nd Bambeano 3rd Mephisto

A competitive race for the grade. HERO OF THE HOUR is running very consistently and made the breakthrough in first-time blinkers over C&D last month. He overcame a tough draw then and has a shot off 7lb higher from a wide draw again. Circles was an easy winner over 7f at the start of the month. Dropping back a furlong shouldn't inconvenience her. The handicapper has given her 9lb, however, she still looks a big player. Kuwait Direction won nicely over C&D last month and could have more to offer off 5lb higher. Catherine Chroi makes her Irish debut. This five-year-old mare tends to finish her 6f races well and won by the minimum margin on her penultimate start in Newcastle. There looks to be plenty of pace to aim at in this contest.
Prediction : 1st Hero Of The Hour 2nd Circles 3rd Kuwait Direction

ROYAL TRIBUTE is clearly on a competitive mark. He won a claimer at this track in December which proved his aptitude for Polytrack. He was a decent second off this mark of 58 at the start of the month and that form has a solid look to it. The winner just failed by a head to follow up last Friday, while the third home came out and won a different race on Friday. Alfarida is a significant threat. She ran her best race to date when second over 7f at this venue and had a subsequent winner behind her. She has the best draw in stall one. Stall 14 is tricky for prominent-racer Betrayed, however, she enjoys this 6f trip and won over it last month. She only gave best in the closing stages of her last race before finishing fourth.
Prediction : 1st Royal Tribute 2nd Alfarida 3rd Betrayed

The two with the form are DABANA and Relevant Range, and the former has a race-fitness edge on the latter. Dabana was placed three times for her former trainer Dermot Weld and reappeared off a break to run third for Mark Fahey over C&D in early February. Relevant Range has switched to Gillian Scott after being placed on five occasions for Paddy Twomey. He hasn't been on a racecourse since August and a hood and cheekpieces are tried. He does have an edge on official ratings, though. James Ryan claims a handy 7lb off Tack and they are in the hunt for a cheque. Money for the newcomers could be significant in a race lacking depth.
Prediction : 1st Dabana 2nd Relevant Range 3rd Tack

ANANN could be the answer to a trappy race. Joseph O'Brien's filly caught a tartar when beaten into third behind a ready winner towards the end of last month. She is better judged on her maiden victory over C&D on penultimate start here. Hugh Horgan's 7lb claim is a bonus. Doctor Grace is markedly up in class after winning decisively in the basement grade at the start of the month. She receives weight from all of her rivals and is certainly one to consider. Malacanne got off the mark over 1m at this track in January. He is likely to have a say. Queen Of Ours makes her Polytrack debut off a break. She was last seen finishing down the field in the Goffs Million at the Curragh in September. She had a useful juvenile campaign in winning at Sligo and being placed at Naas and Cork. The market should be informative about her chance.
Prediction : 1st Anann 2nd Doctor Grace 3rd Malacanne

PRO BONO wouldn't be winning out of turn. He has come home a close second in two of his last three starts here including over this trip in November. He remains on an appealing mark and Jessica O'Gorman gets on well with him. James Ryan was seen to good effect on Celtic Revival when he got up to win a C&D handicap by a head last month. An 8lb rise makes life harder, but he is a player. Sea Oscar has picked up plenty of experience in Britain and France. She was sixth on her Irish debut over 7f at this racecourse last month. She is in good hands and improvement wouldn't be surprising. Arch Enemy has had a busy but productive start to 2023 and will be eyeing more prize money.
Prediction : 1st Pro Bono 2nd Celtic Revival 3rd Sea Oscar

The market is likely to revolve around Satono Chevalier who was undoubtedly impressive when winning by six lengths over C&D last Friday. He absolutely tanked into contention before dismissing his rivals. He runs under the 7lb penalty and will take plenty of beating if in the same mood. ORANMORE has each-way claims at a juicier price, though. Yudish Geerdharry has been getting a tune out of the seven-year-old gelding this year. The duo were narrowly beaten by a head over C&D before keeping on for fourth in a slightly higher grade. The jockey's 10lb claim has Oranmore on an attractive mark. Gordons Aura reverts to the Flat after taking a Fairyhouse maiden hurdle. He has form over staying trips in Britain and looks to be on a more than fair mark. Miss Vizeun and Clever Capall are others with chances.
Prediction : 1st Oranmore 2nd Satono Chevalier 3rd Gordons Aura

BOWERMAN showed that the fire still runs deep when he scored for the first time in almost a year over 1m4f this month. Although he has been raised by 6lb, he still looks well handicapped as his rating had been sliding for some time. Dalvey was beaten three and three-quarter lengths into third by Bowerman, but his last winning effort came over this trip albeit in a claimer. No Trouble was a beaten favourite in second in a claimer at this track in December. He has a C&D victory in the book, but that was back in November 2019. His five victories on the Flat since then have been over further.
Prediction : 1st Bowerman 2nd Dalvey 3rd No Trouble