UK Horse Racing Tips: Ballinrobe

LAELAPS will need to settle better than on his hurdling debut at Naas in February but has a leading chance if doing so. The Andrew McNamara-trained gelding boasts some smart form on the level, having attained a triple digit handicap mark at one stage. He showed enough on his initial outing over flights to suggest he can be a force in this company. Lucid Dreams shaped well on his racecourse debut at Fakenham in March but was slightly disappointing at this track last time. The eight-year-old reverts to hurdles now having run in a bumper most recently. Trainer John Ryan is always a man to respect at this particular venue. Men Of Dreams took a major step forward when third on his hurdling debut at Kilbeggan last month. A reproduction of that effort would see the Johnny Levins-trained gelding play a leading role.
Prediction : 1st Laelaps 2nd Lucid Dreams 3rd Men Of Dreams

Given her excellent form over hurdles in seven starts to date, it is hard to believe that BANNTOWN GIRL is still a maiden in this discipline. The Sonny Carey-trained mare, who has been placed at Listed level, finished third in a Grade B handicap hurdle at the Dublin Racing Festival and was second to a subsequent Punchestown winner last time. It will be a surprise if she can't get her head in front here. Conyers Hill has finished third on his first two starts for present connections so has to enter calculations. He will need to improve in order to beat Banntown Girl but the five-year-old hasn't been with Paul Nolan all that long. Marciano made a satisfactory racecourse debut when fifth behind Conyers Hill at Clonmel but has more scope for improvement than the O'Grady horse.
Prediction : 1st Banntown Girl 2nd Conyers Hill 3rd Marciano

RUN LIKE FADA could be primed for this contest having finished a close up third in the corresponding race last season. Although the Eoin McCarthy-trained gelding failed to win in four subsequent outings, he did run well when second on his next start. Perhaps, he is one who is best caught fresh. McGrath From Clune seems sure to go well, having finished runner-up at Cork last time. Shane Fenelon renews the partnership on this occasion and that has to be a huge positive in a race of this nature. Can't Stop Smiling caught the eye here in a maiden hurdle last August and should be sharper now having had an outing at Naas in March. If the Aidan Howard-trained mare isn't let down by inexperience, then she is a serious threat to all.
Prediction : 1st Run Like Fada 2nd Mcgrath From Clune 3rd Cant Stop Smiling

SHOWURAPPRECIATION who was well punted when a staying on third at Gowran Park in March should enjoy the step up in trip here. The Jonathan Sweeney-trained gelding seemed to find the minimum trip too sharp on that occasion but stuck to his task well in the straight. Although this sharper track may not play to his strengths, his ability might see him home in front. Friends N Commerce has been a consistent sort in both maiden and handicaps of late although he is surely vulnerable off a rating of 111. Having said that, he seems adaptable tripwise and shouldn't have any issues with this track. San Martino has been gradually getting his act together over flights so it would be no surprise to see this one-time smart Flat horse take a hand in the finish.
Prediction : 1st Showurappreciation 2nd Friends N Commerce 3rd San Martino

A wide-open contest, with point-to-point winner GETAWAY TRAIN given the chance to redeem himself. The subject of a gamble at Clonmel in February, he failed to fire there and was later reported to have mucus in his nostrils post-race. A case can be made for many others with Everystep Oftheway likely to prove a popular choice. A fine third of 23 at Naas on his most recent start, he is fitted with cheekpieces for the first time now. Chelseas Friend has a course win to her name and can make her presence felt, while first reserve Glenmalure Lodge would be a threat to all if getting a run. A five-time winner on the level, Magnetic North is an interesting contender on what will be his handicap debut over flights. Will It Be You is trained by the shrewd Liam Cusack and is out of a half-sister to Grade 1 winner Nil Desperandum. The Court Cave gelding is surely better than what he has shown to date, and it'll come as little surprise if he attracts support in the market.
Prediction : 1st Getaway Train 2nd Everystep Oftheway 3rd Will It Be You

This looks a match between two of the three JP McManus-owned contenders, with marginal preference for ROSEYS HOLLOW, who is in receipt of a mares' allowance. A Grade 3 winner over flights, the selection has some good efforts to her name since switching to the larger obstacles. She finished a place ahead of Instit on her most recent start at Cork, with that one since winning twice, finishing a clear second to Impervious at Punchestown on Friday last. Hercule Du Seuil has three wins to his name from six career starts and is likely to go off a warm order favourite. Successful in Grade 2 company at Fairyhouse on Easter Sunday, he starts off over fences now and is sure to be well-schooled for this assignment. Senecia and Hamundarson are others that warrants respect. The former ran much better than the bare result would suggest when fifth in a good quality contest at Cork in December.
Prediction : 1st Roseys Hollow 2nd Hercule Du Seuil 3rd Senecia

The most valuable race of the evening, with BATTLE OF MIRBAT the suggestion for the grandfather, grandson combination of Michael and Mark McDonagh. An easy winner on his handicap debut at Leopardstown, he since finished second at Limerick. Queen Jane won that Greenmount Park contest and she gave the form a boost at Punchestown, falling at the last when still in with every chance. Golden Sandbanks is given second preference with Kieran Callaghan taking a valuable 7lb off. A four-time winner last year, the Paul Flynn trained-gelding has yet to finish outside the first two in three starts over fences. Pat's Choice is a consistent performer and can make his presence felt, while others that warrant respect are West Breeze and course winners Union Park and Red Striker.
Prediction : 1st Battle Of Mirbat 2nd Golden Sandbanks 3rd Pats Choice

ANY ROAD should be able to put his experience to good use. The Walk In The Park gelding has come up against some useful types on his five previous starts, going down by just half a length at Fairyhouse on New Year's Day. Second at Cork on his most recent outing, he was seven lengths clear of Backtonormal in third, with that one since successful on his next start. Fresh from his Bishopscourt Cup success at the Punchestown Festival, Pat Taaffe takes the ride on the selection and claims a valuable 7lb. Readin Tommy Wrong is an obvious danger in the famous double green silks of Simon Munir and Isaac Souede. From the family of Quito De La Roque and Kazal, he finished second on debut in a point-to-point at Bellharbour in February of last year. Making his debut for Willie Mullins now, the Authorized gelding is likely to go off favourite. Arabian Diamond was sixth of 25 on debut over flights at Fairyhouse and he warrants the utmost respect coming from the Gordon Elliott yard. Get It Right and Master Player are others that look capable of making an impact.
Prediction : 1st Any Road 2nd Readin Tommy Wrong 3rd Arabian Diamond