UK Horse Racing Tips: Dundalk

PUB TALK is well suited by this surface and distance, is in excellent form and contests an ordinary claimer. His latest (and second) win was in a similar claimer last November and a reproduction of last month's course and distance handicap third-placing would give him every chance. Western Cape debuts for new connections and showed some form last year. He receives 3lb from the selection and has course and distance form, but lacks a run and has yet to prove himself as able as the consistent selection. Redshore City steps back up to this distance and was well beaten in recent maidens. Gustav Ucicky was beaten 14 lengths by the selection last October and while now 19lb better off, his recent form is poor and runs in a first-time hood.
Prediction : 1st Pub Talk 2nd Western Cape 3rd Redshore City

STORM ERIC showed improvement on his last two runs and remains somewhat unexposed as a four year old. His third-placing in a January maiden was encouraging and is closely matched with six-time winner Indiana Grey on a recent course and distance run, but is open to a fraction more progression. Indiana Grey is an admirable type who is normally held up in her races, so the inside draw in 1 isn't much help, although she should again compete well. Tynamite is drawn wide 16 and while winless since December 2021, was beaten by a nose last month and will have no issues with today's extra furlong. Scarlet Dancer, whose previous win was in September 2021, has yet to win in 13 all-weather starts but has been running well recently and runs in a first-time tongue-tie. Maestro Stick is a dual CD winner who has been running well while Numoor debuts for a new yard having run well in a recent claimer.
Prediction : 1st Storm Eric 2nd Indiana Grey 3rd Tynamite

DELUCA CHOP landed an inspired gamble to win recently and can defy his 5lb penalty, competing over a longer distance which might suit even better. A three-time winner in France with form over middle distances, his rating fell from 71, in September, to 58 recently, when staying on late, off a strong pace, to win. Celtic Revival is by Sea The Stars and thus, almost inevitably, has shown improved form over middle-distances. He is 5lb higher than his recent win but is open to further progression being a well-bred and still unexposed-at-this-distance four year old. Maralinga's best form is over shorter but has recent form. Magi Gal was well held by a subsequent winner here last month but hasn't won since November 2020. Ballycommon Chapel disappointed when a well-backed favourite in November and reappears in first-time cheekpieces.
Prediction : 1st Deluca Chop 2nd Celtic Revival 3rd Maralinga

DABANA is a well bred Aga Khan castoff who could be worth following as she makes her handicap debut, stepping up in distance. By Iffraaj, there is stamina in her dam's side and indeed raced over a mile as a juvenile. She likes this surface and competes from a workable mark under a 5lb claimer. Nine year old Bowerman's rating has fallen from a career high of 106 to just 73 this year and while he might prefer 1m4f these days, nonetheless ran very well here last time. Dalvey was well held in a recent hot hurdle but had previously shown form over CD but now runs in a first-time visor. Cristal Clere was raised 4lb following a useful effort in a smart race last month while Finans Bay won over CD last October and was bought by new connections for 45,000gns subsequently, but lacks a run.
Prediction : 1st Dabana 2nd Bowerman 3rd Dalvey

The well-bred TAKE HEART should take plenty of beating following a fine debut. Out of an American Grade 2 winning half-sister to Breeders Cup Juvenile winner Pluck, the already-gelded selection attracted market support on debut before finishing well behind experienced rivals. He is likely to improve. Riesling was well held on two runs last year but her second run was in a useful race with the runner-up and fourth-placed horses winning subsequently. She might be better suited by stepping back up in distance. Initial Attempt's initial attempt was encouraging and while well held in December, stumbled leaving the stalls and was reported to have lost a shoe. Best Guess needs to improve from debut while Pulse Light reappears in first-time blinkers. It has been a long, lonely time since Unchained Melody last ran.
Prediction : 1st Take Heart 2nd Riesling 3rd Initial Attempt

ANTHEM NATIONAL might turn January form with San Andreas and win. The selection was smart for Simon & Ed Crisford last year and while beaten 1.5 lengths by San Andreas on 3lb better terms in January, that was his first for for 281 days, shaped nicely and is a lightly-raced four-year-old. San Andreas won last year's renewal and while frustrating to follow since, finishing second eight times since, has bumped into capable types. He is sure to run well but is vulnerable to smart types. Angels Wrath is held by the selection and San Andreas on January form, although steps up a furlong in distance. Current Option has made his seasonal reappearance at this course for the past two years but is a turf performer and will have Lincoln/Gladness Stakes targets upcoming. Another turf performer Loingseoir reappears and will be Lincoln bound.
Prediction : 1st Anthem National 2nd San Andreas 3rd Angels Wrath

BENAVENTE could be suited by stepping up to a mile for only the second time. He has been frustrating and his only win was in February 2021 but his only run at a mile was in a Listed race the following month when performing satisfactorily, and has recently finished his seven-furlongs races well. Ghumama won over a longer distance in February but is trip-versatile. She chased home hat-trick hero Mulgrave on two occasions recently but has climbed back up the ratings. Arcanears recently tried this distance for the first time and won over course and distance in February. He is an eight-year-old and is 6lb higher today, but was once rated 91. Higher Kingdom was a neck behind Ghumama last month and while an all-weather specialist, is somewhat enigmatic. Ellabella is a mile specialist but was beaten by Higher Kingdom in December and competes at a higher grade today. Highland King debuts for a new yard, is long absent and might prefer further.
Prediction : 1st Benavente 2nd Ghumama 3rd Arcanears

HERO OF THE HOUR is unbeaten in two runs wearing blinkers and has obvious claims from 3lb higher than when winning last month. Both his wins have been over course and distance and he is dependable. Surviving Murmansk has ruined his handicap mark this year, going from 41 to 67 without winning, but cannot be dismissed. He has tried a variety of things but his third-placing over course and distance in mid-February reads very well and while he faded late-on in a recent maiden, should be better suited by reverting to this distance. Prince Of Abington is ideally suited by this distance but has been raised 11lb following a recent runner-up run (Tawaazon was sixth) in a claimer. Collective Power is consistent but not ahead of the handicapper while Havana Notion hasn't been beaten far in two recent handicaps, when well backed, but needs to improve, reverting to 6f.
Prediction : 1st Hero Of The Hour 2nd Surviving Murmansk 3rd Prince Of Abington