UK Horse Racing Tips: Roscommon

This looks a match between the two JP McManus representatives, HERCULE DU SEUIL and Roseys Hollow. While he has to give weight away to his three rivals, the Willie Mullins-trained former should prove up to the task. A Grade 2-winning hurdler, he was disappointingly beaten into second on his debut over fences at Ballinrobe early last month. He returned to the Mayo venue and made amends on his next start, impressively making all despite some slight mistakes. Mullins now looks to have found an ideal opportunity for the French bred six-year-old to follow up. With Aidan Kelly's claim included, Roseys Hollow will carry a total of 19lb less than the selection. A smart performer over flights, she has been a bit disappointing since switching to the larger obstacles and may prove more effective in handicap company. Lieutenant Highway was over 20 lengths behind the selection at Ballinrobe but with a swing in the weights, he should get a bit closer now.
Prediction : 1st Hercule Du Seuil 2nd Roseys Hollow 3rd Lieutenant Highway

Sharing the same name as the local hotel, THE ABBEY would be a popular winner of this feature contest. The 10-year-old has shown remarkable improvement in recent starts, winning easily at Downpatrick and Limerick respectively. Despite a 20lb rise, the Yeats gelding still looks well treated on a mark of 117 and with Danny Gilligan again on board, he looks the one to beat. Gordon Elliott trains the selection and is also represented by top-weight Hurricane Georgie. She won the Midlands National at Kilbeggan last season and can make an impact here. Henry de Bromhead is also double handed, with Champagne Gold and Popong his representatives. The latter, who filled the runner-up spot 12 months ago, is given second preference, fitted with cheekpieces for the first time. Stealthy Tom has won three of his last five and is a leading contender with Mark McDonagh aboard, while Snugsborough Hall (third last year) and 14-time winner Go Another One are others that warrant respect.
Prediction : 1st The Abbey 2nd Popong 3rd Stealthy Tom

Denis Hogan has his string in fine form at present and the Co Tipperary trainer is double handed here, saddling both AKAABIR and General Idea. A Godolphin cast-off, the former ran a nice race on debut over flights at Listowel last week and finished just two and a half lengths behind the 121-rated Morning Soldier. The Dark Angel gelding should come on plenty for that experience and can be expected to go a lot closer now. In truth, this is a weak contest and newcomer Drombana Boy won't have to be anything out of the ordinary to get involved. By Walk In The Park, the Enda Bolger-trained bay is out of a half-sister to the brilliant Synchronised, winner of the 2012 Cheltenham Gold Cup. Gordon Elliott's Knocknacree is out of three-time track winner Layla Joan, who Elliott also trained. Second of seven on his most recent start at Perth, it'll come as no surprise if he manages to go a place better now. Twice placed last year, Mr Globalist is another leading contender on his debut for Shay Slevin, while Mercury Mission and Boots And Jeans are others who warrant respect.
Prediction : 1st Akaabir 2nd Drombanna Boy 3rd Knocknacree

Fresh from a double at Bangor on Saturday, 'Shark' Hanlon might be able to strike here with GRIZABELLA. A winner on the level last summer, she ran a fine race to finish fourth on just her second start in handicap company at Wexford and she is fitted with a hood for the first time now. Trying to second guess Charles Byrnes is a futile exercise and so it's difficult to know what to expect from Redwood Queen. She stayed on strongly to finish third under tender handling on debut for the highly controversial Limerick handler at Punchestown last month. Macs Lady also ran a cracker on debut for a new outfit at Limerick. Now in the care of Shane Ryder, she ultimately couldn't hold off the progressive Bal Kauto, and had to settle for second after attempting to make all. Taylor Three Rock successfully made every inch of the running at Listowel recently and she is sure to have plenty of supporters, while others for the shortlist in this competitive affair are Up And Out, Skip Mahler and Atlantic Wonder.
Prediction : 1st Grizabella 2nd Redwood Queen 3rd Macs Lady

EDGE OF MY SEAT made the frame a couple of times on the Flat last year and has twice run well over hurdles at this venue. Keen when sixth at Tipperary last month, the fitting of a hood may help her to settle and an in-form claimer rides. Runner-up at Naas and third at Wexford, Only One Plan is handicapped to win one of these and is likely to contend again. Be My Hero ran his best race so far when second at Wexford and hasn't been with Gordon Elliott all that long so may be capable of further improvement. A winner over 1m4f at Dundalk last year, The Virginian shaped well after a lay-off when fifth at Punchestown and represents a yard which enjoyed a double on Saturday.
Prediction : 1st Edge Of My Seat 2nd Only One Plan 3rd Be My Hero

CAMINO ROCK was third of 25 in a competitive handicap over this trip at the Punchestown festival. He's the only maiden in the field but a reproduction of that latest run will see him take a bit of beating. Pink In The Park was Grade 1-placed at Fairyhouse in April but, nonetheless, the handicapper is happy to place her on a mark of 121. Not fluent when landing a Cork maiden last time, she still has room for improvement in her jumping but good ground suits and she may build on that victory during the summer. Late developer Lucid Dreams only began racing this year and readily won a Ballinrobe maiden last month. The eight-year-old is capable of further progress over this longer trip.
Prediction : 1st Camino Rock 2nd Pink In The Park 3rd Lucid Dreams

THE BIG CHAP has been consistent and progressive since sent handicapping last summer and has two good-ground wins on the board. He was a fine third over this trip in a similar grade of handicap at Killarney last month and Paul Flynn engages a useful claimer to take 7lb off his back. Gallant John Joe has often been highly tried in his career and has to be accorded plenty of respect at this level of competition. There was little wrong with his second to an improving type on his most recent hurdles starts at Punchestown in February and he was placed over fences at that venue's festival meeting. Digby has been off since tipping up at the Galway festival but won a big-field novice handicap at Fairyhouse earlier last year and merits respect despite his long lay-off.
Prediction : 1st The Big Chap 2nd Gallant John Joe 3rd Digby

Derek O'Connor is a significant booking for ALLY KAZOO and Sam Curling's newcomer is taken to score on debut. The homebred son of El Kabeir, unsold at last year's Derby Sale, is from a family of bumper winners including smart jumpers Threeunderthrufive and Benruben. Fellow debutant Ayiko, a half-brother to a bumper winner out of a mare who is related to bumper winners, made 55,000 Euros at the Land Rover Sale. He represents a yard with a good record in this category. Midfield in a valuable sales bumper at the Punchestown festival, Weseekherthere had creditable runs in maiden hurdles either side of that and is now tried in headgear. She looks to have the best claims of those that have run.
Prediction : 1st Ally Kazoo 2nd Ayiko 3rd Weseekherthere