UK Horse Racing Tips: Cork

This looks a good opportunity for SIR ARGUS, with Kieran Callaghan taking a valuable 7lb off. A consistent sort, he was let down by some sloppy jumping on his penultimate start at Punchestown, finishing second to stable companion Haxo. He again filled the runner-up spot on his most recent outing at Thurles, with subsequent winners So Des Flos and Karuma Grey in behind. Misty's Gift was fourth in that Thurles contest and he reopposes now. Patricks Hill has some solid form to his name and is given second preference. Placed four times from eight starts, he finished second of 20 behind the smart Cool Survivor when last seen at Punchestown in October. Fantasio D'alene disappointed on his return to action at Limerick last month but is capable of much more and it'll be interesting to see how he fares. Japers Jack, Easy Fella and Mister Bo are others for the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Sir Argus 2nd Patricks Hill 3rd Mistys Gift

Kieran Callaghan enjoyed one of his finest hours at this venue in November when partnering Captain Kangaroo to victory in the Cork National. The promising young conditional has again been among the winners in recent times and his 7lb allowance is certainly no hinderance to the prospects of THE BIG CHAP. Paul Flynn's charge hasn't been out since August, and whilst that might be viewed as a negative, it could be that the relatively unexposed six-year-old will return a horse capable of climbing the ladder at least a little more. He might be a chaser down the road, but from a rating of 107 here, one could envisage his prominent racing style carrying him a long way on the road towards a top billing. From a handicapping perspective Stealthy Tom must be taken very seriously, while The Toothpicker is another interesting contender on debut for John McConnell. Last time out winners Bal De Rio and Crowsatedappletart will justifiably have their supporters in this competitive heat.
Prediction : 1st The Big Chap 2nd Stealthy Tom 3rd The Toothpicker

FRANCOIS looks nicely treated on a mark of 112 and he might be able to take this open contest. He has yet to make a significant impact over fences but performed with credit on his penultimate start, finishing third to Saldier at Thurles. He was since well beaten on his handicap debut at Leopardstown but should come on plenty for that experience. Minx Tiara is given second preference, with Daniel King taking a valuable 5lb off. The likeable five-time winner was headed close home in a Grade B contest at Gowran on her last start and it'll come as no surprise if she goes a place better now. Take All also hit the crossbar recently and he is sure to have plenty of supporters, while All Those Years and Johngus are other leading contenders. The latter was a wide-margin winner at Clonmel last month and will carry a featherweight here, with Kieran Callaghan claiming 7lb.
Prediction : 1st Francois 2nd Minx Tiara 3rd Johngus

Jack Bennett's home-bred DANCING AFTER DARK has decent prospects of supplementing her Liscarroll success from just over three weeks back. The substance of that win can hardly be underestimated as she slammed the geldings Desert Cave, Imperial Eddie and Top Question by huge margins, as just the four completed the course in a winners of one. A daughter of Mountain High, the selection hasn't had an entirely smooth run through her career thus far, not coming up to expectations more than once. However, on a going day she's clearly a decent performer, and as a seven-year-old with few enough miles on the clock there's certainly the capacity for more to come. Dancing After Dark's rider, Mikey O'Connor, was aboard The Dollarlady when that one triumphed last time, and she's worthy of consideration this time too, now in the more than capable hands of Finny Maguire. Ma Hoey is likely to have plenty of supporters after her comfortable win at Durrow last month, while Glenbeg Express, Lar's Lass and Carrig Wells are others for the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Dancing After Dark 2nd Ma Hoey 3rd The Dollarlady

AHAKNOWYERSELF made the breakthrough at Belclare last month, with the reopposing Tohellorconnacht back in fourth. A son of Scorpion, the selection since ran a fine race on his track debut at Downpatrick last weekend. He finished second to Shantou Show there and he should be able to go a place better now, in what looks a weaker contest. Dundaniel is the only dual winner in the line-up. He came home eight-lengths to the good at Bandon on his most recent start and looks a leading contender here. Boss Robin impressed on debut at Comea, but disappointed at Nenagh when turned out again quickly. Given a break since, he should be able to make an impact. Iron Allen is another worthy of consideration. A half-brother to Enjoy Dallen, he was successful at Corbeagh House in December, falling at the first on his most recent outing.
Prediction : 1st Ahaknowyerself 2nd Dundaniel 3rd Boss Robin

ULTIMATE OPTIMIST is a particularly exciting hunter chaser among an excellent crop that David Christie has. The seven-year-old Fame And Glory gelding has been on a winning spree since May last year incorporating three point-to-points and two hunters' chases (by healthy margins). He is very hard to oppose in the current mood. Somptueux was a 137-rated chaser this time last year. He is entitled to come on from his runner-up berth in a Lisronagh point-to-point in February and gets first-time cheekpieces. Grange Island brings solid form to the contest, but found another Christie inmate much too hot in Gowran Park.
Prediction : 1st Ultimate Optimist 2nd Somptueux 3rd Grange Island

WHAT'S UP DARLING has to be taken seriously on track debut for Gordon Elliott. He won a point-to-point by 13 lengths in December for John Costello and subsequent winners 'between the flags' have come out of that race. He is a brother of a four-time winner. Marv Michael was also successful in a point-to-point and commences his track career for Henry de Bromhead. He is a danger. The trainer has a strong hand as he also saddles point-to-point runner-up Doonbeg Don. Eugene O'Sullivan's Beltown Lake rallied to justify favouritism in a point-to-point in February and has his chance.
Prediction : 1st Whats Up Darling 2nd Marv Michael 3rd Beltown Lake

Yeats mare STRAIGHT HOME made a bright start to her point-to-point career when winning on debut at Kildorrery. She was in charge before the last and was left clear when her main rival fell. There should be more to come from her. Miss Oreo's third place in a Borris House point-to-point last month has a solid look to it. The winner has since finished third in a handicap hurdle and the runner-up has landed a point-to-point. Miss Drussell enjoyed herself on testing ground at Ballycrystal when winning a mares' maiden point-to-point by an eased down 20 lengths. That was a big step forward and she has to be respected.
Prediction : 1st Straight Home 2nd Miss Oreo 3rd Miss Drussell