UK Horse Racing Tips: Cork

CALICO has been knocking on the door for a while and may be able to make the breakthrough here. The Spanish Moon filly has been placed five times over timber and has some very strong form, including finishing runner-up in a Listed contest at Aintree. She failed to make much impression in a similar contest at Doncaster last time, but has had a short break now and looks the pick on her overall form. She had Luminous Light behind when the pair were third and fourth to Metamorpheus at Punchestown in January and may be able to confirm that form. Snapius, rated 110, looks another for the shortlist. He was well beaten in a decent contest at Haydock, but his previous form gives him a shout.
Prediction : 1st Calico 2nd Luminous Light 3rd Snapius

This isn't a strong contest and BATTLE IT OUT should prove hard to beat after a couple of solid placed efforts. The Flemensfirth gelding was only a moderate third behind easy winner Viva Devito at Fairyhouse last month, but was much closer when filling the same position behind Figaroc at Clonmel earlier this month. His rivals don't have much solid 'track' form between them. Knockraha Lass was runner-up in a couple of point-to-points and may be capable of better having pulled up here in November on her hurdling debut. Fromheretoeternity was also well beaten last time, but was second in a point-to-point previously and may be able to grab some minor money now.
Prediction : 1st Battle It Out 2nd Knockraha Lass 3rd Fromheretoeternity

Charlie O'Dwyer takes a useful 7lb off the back of top-weight ASTROPHYSICIST and he may be able to strike now after a couple of decent runs. The Showcasing gelding is versatile ground-wise and gained his only win on the Flat in testing conditions. He was a close third over in Hereford last month and looks capable of landing a race of this standard. A Dublin Job was in good form when last seen in the autumn. He drifted left in the closing stages when tiring and finishing third in testing ground at Galway back in October and may just appreciate a bit nicer ground. Storm Mahler was no match for Stolen Moment at Clonmel, but it was still a solid run and he has to be on the shortlist here off the same mark.
Prediction : 1st Astrophysicist 2nd Storm Mahler 3rd A Dublin Job

FRANCISCAN ROCK really seemed to appreciate the step up in trip when winning cosily at Thurles last month and may be able to follow up now tried in handicap company. The Fame And Glory gelding had been knocking on the door in some hot maiden hurdles before getting off the mark over just shy of three miles. The ground will be very different now, but he has run well in testing conditions before. Run For Pat won well at Fairyhouse and has to be respected, despite his 8lb hike. Waittillitellyou chased home Run For Pat last time and has to considered on the revised terms. West Breeze takes a step up in trip after his win at Clonmel last month and he has to be respected as well.
Prediction : 1st Franciscan Rock 2nd Run For Pat 3rd West Breeze

There ought to be a race or two in JUMP THE SHARK. Gavin Cromwell's charge has shown definite ability in a pair of handicap hurdles in February when a never-nearer fourth at Naas and then a keeping-on third in a massive field over a similar trip in Fairyhouse. The runner-up at Fairyhouse has since got off the mark to boost that form. Miss Tempo is the dark horse returning from an absence of almost 15 months. Her form certainly gives her claims and the market should be informative. Magic Conqueror has place claims after a fourth-placed effort at Clonmel last month. Killinure Lass held on to win by a head over further at Thurles on Saturday but, afterwards, connections said it would be unlikely she would turn out again here. Royal Rhythm was game off the front in Clonmel on Tuesday. That was on very deep ground, so he would be considered unlikely to turn out again two days later.
Prediction : 1st Jump The Shark 2nd Miss Tempo 3rd Magic Conqueror

Jody Townend is winning at a strike-rate of over 30 per cent for Willie Mullins this season and the pair team up with newcomer PURE NOTIONS here. This Authorized mare is related to a couple of winners and looks a major player. Penny Glory has switched to John Kiely after two runner-up finishes in point-to-points and a fourth-placed effort in a mares' bumper at Cork. The form of that race is working out well, so she has to be given plenty of respect on ground she is proven on. Armed And Fabulous was well backed ahead of her track debut in Punchestown on New Year's Eve, but came home well back in third. She can perform better with that experience banked.
Prediction : 1st Pure Notions 2nd Penny Glory 3rd Armed And Fabulous

NATIVE SPEAKER could be a more than useful graduate to the track. He was a wide-margin winner of his point-to-point after being left well clear at the last when already in charge. The horse that was left to come home second boosted the form by winning his next point-to-point. Native Speaker has moved to in-form Henry de Bromhead for his track career. Blizzard Of Oz has been a beaten favourite in his last couple of bumpers but, there is no doubt that if he puts it all together, he would be a contender. Ideal Tu Tabert switches to a bumper after being placed in two novice hurdles. That experience will stand to him and it is an interesting move. Any Road was only caught in the final 50 yards at Fairyhouse in January and adds further spice to the mix. Newcomer Big Dispute is well related and has Jamie Codd's assistance.
Prediction : 1st Native Speaker 2nd Blizzard Of Oz 3rd Ideal Du Tabert