UK Horse Racing Tips: Sligo

BAL DE RIO has a bit to find with a couple of these strictly on ratings but the Denis Hogan-trained veteran comes into the race right at the top of his game. A winner of two claiming hurdles in recent months, he showed that he was still capable of competing in handicap company when successful at Ballinrobe in April. Following a respectable fourth placing in even better company at Listowel last month, he is very much the horse to beat here. Britzka has the highest official mark in the contest but has two ways of running. If anywhere near his best, then the Gordon Elliott-trained gelding will prove a tough opponent. My Manekineko probably has his best days behind him at the age of 14 but could be capable of reaching the frame if fit after than absence.
Prediction : 1st Bal De Rio 2nd Britzka 3rd My Manekineko

ARTMEMIS ANGEL shaped well enough on her most recent start at Wexford to suggest a race of this nature should be within her capabilities. The Peter Fahey-trained six-year-old raced prominently before being headed and weakening after two out. Dropping back in trip should help her get home better on this occasion, while the tight track favours one who tends to race up with the pace. Miss Madeleine ran a nice race when fourth at Tramore in April but failed to build on that effort last time. If she can reproduce her previous form, then she has a chance in a weak race. Another Bonnie has to be respected given that she represents the John Ryan stable here. The trainer does exceptionally well with his runners at this venue so they are always worth a second look.
Prediction : 1st Artemis Angel 2nd Miss Madeline 3rd Another Bonnie

The welfare-conscious watering of tracks during this warm spell of weather has enabled Willie Mullins to keep a lot of horses on the go and his early season strike-rate is frightening for rival trainers. From a good French jumping family, CHRISCO was beaten at odds-on in two bumpers but ran into some useful types and has been found a winnable race for his hurdling debut. The strength of market support for him in the past is surely significant. Point-to-point winner Lisnamult Lad was second in a Kelso bumper in April and now goes hurdling. He hung badly left at Killarney last time which is a concern. The similarly-rated Sixhandsinmypocket and Turkestan have plenty of experience and can contend for minor honours.
Prediction : 1st Chrisco 2nd Lisnamult Lad 3rd Sixhandsinmypocket

It's good to see GOT GREY back in action here after he took a last-flight fall at Ballinrobe. He was close up in fourth at the time and may well have claimed minor honours behind a wide-margin winner who followed up at the same venue. Gavin Cromwell's charge had caught the eye in a good maiden at Leopardstown over Christmas and hopefully last month's mishap hasn't left a mark. Local hope Staging Post won his bumper around here and has found a bit of form in handicaps lately. In the frame on his last two starts, he will be helped by in-form Dan King's claim. Alphonse Le Grande (also engaged to run at Roscommon on Monday), banned for 42 days after an eye-catching sixth at Thurles in February, will be better for last month's reappearance, while Stilyker flopped on soft ground last time but can contend on this sounder surface.
Prediction : 1st Got Grey 2nd Staging Post 3rd Stilyker

Aidan Kelly has quickly slipped back into the winning groove since returning from injury and FLOREY SPUD will have his prospects of a first victory enhanced by the Kildare man's 7lb claim. The selection twice went close over this trip at Wexford last year and last month's run at Tipperary will have brought him on. Ceanndana's third of 21 at Punchestown in October is an excellent line of form and he was unsuited by soft ground in two subsequent outings. It's his first start of the year but his yard is in fine fettle. She's Tobias was placed on three occasions last year including over this trip and, separately, at this venue. She has joined a shrewd outfit and should come on from last month's comeback run at Downpatrick.
Prediction : 1st Florey Spud 2nd Ceanndana 3rd Shes Tobias

WHATSYOURSTATUS makes a quick reappearance having win a Friday chase and competes from a lower hurdles rating. He was a well-backed winner from a 106-chase rating at Clonmel and while forecast rain wouldn't suit, a reasonably sound surface will do and he should win from his current hurdles' rating. Reserve Judgement similarly would prefer good ground and also has solid claims. He too was well supported when winning a similar race at Down Royal recently and should compete from 7lb higher, with today's rider claiming an extra 2lb. Ladiam has been running well in similar races but isn't ahead of the handicapper while Tullyhogue Fort also has useful recent form and is ideally suited by staying distances on good ground. Aliunde has been running well and has place claims.
Prediction : 1st Whatsyourstatus 2nd Reserve Judgement 3rd Ladiam

Quevega's daughter and Facile Vega's brother AURORA VEGA makes an eagerly awaited debut at a slightly unusual time of year but should take beating. Debuting in a June bumper aged five could suggest she isn't high-class but both Facile Vega and a half-sister Princess Vega won on their debuts and her yard is flying. Homebred Littlebiggie won well against exposed but experienced rivals at Stradbally and having proven ability, being race-fit and suited by a sound surface, should run well. Come And See is a half-sister to a bumper/five-time winner while homebred Missea's half-brother was a useful staying eight-time winner. Cloudy Waters was a 2,000gns cast-off purchase from Godolphin last November and is best watched while River Robe showed some ability on hurdles debut.
Prediction : 1st Aurora Vega 2nd Littlebiggie 3rd Come And See