UK Horse Racing Tips: Roscommon

COVENTRY, the highest-rated in the field, hasn't been at his best in recent outings but should have a good chance now dropped into a claimer. He was twice placed in staying handicaps in the autumn and ran well enough in mid-division in a competitive three-mile contest at Punchestown in February. He probably needed the run when not disgraced in a Flat handicap on Derby weekend and that should have teed him up nicely for this. Bal De Rio is a regular in this type of contest and his victory over Fancy A Cosmo at Punchestown reads well after that horse bolted up at Wexford on Friday. Denis Hogan's charge then ran well in a good handicap at Listowel before being placed in a claimer at Sligo. At the ripe old age of 14, My Manekineko won't be attracting many claims but he came home well to be a place behind Bal De Rio at Sligo and that was a good effort after seven months off. The veteran is more likely to give his running than many of these and has place claims.
Prediction : 1st Coventry 2nd Bal De Rio 3rd My Manekineko

ONLYAMATTEROFTIME had a couple of nice runs over hurdles, including behind the top-class Marine Nationale, before running in a Punchestown bumper last month. After coming out second best following a great scrap with a Willie Mullins-trained hotpot, the Getaway gelding was rightly promoted to first after suffering serious interference. There was talk of selling him afterwards but that obviously hasn't materialised and he should take a bit of beating here, with Aidan Kelly's valuable allowance only adding to his claims. With the exception of his last run, Scott Lang has been in good form on the level this year, including when finishing fourth at this venue in May, after which he was placed over hurdles at Punchestown. He was third over 2m3f at Clonmel last year on his only other hurdles outing. Minella Mate goes jumping for the first time after winning a Kilbeggan bumper and is from a French family full of winning hurdlers.
Prediction : 1st Onlyamatteroftime 2nd Scott Lang 3rd Minella Mate

DON'TSTOPTHEMUSIC will be carrying the colours of Roscommon native Sean Mulryan and his wife Bernardine, and Martin Brassil has probably had this race in mind for some time. The Kayf Tara gelding was eighth of 21 in a Leopardstown maiden hurdle won by Supreme sixth Dark Raven at Christmas and the second, fourth, fifth and sixth have all won maidens since. Now fitted with a tongue-tie, fitness is no concern coming from this yard and the half-brother to Champion Chase winner Dodging Bullets will be hard to beat. Sherodan, a smooth winner of a bumper at Tipperary two years ago, is the other one to focus on. He clearly hasn't been straightforward to train but made an encouraging return from a 21-month absence when second to a useful type on hurdling debut at Ballinrobe. A premier handicap winner at the Curragh on Guineas weekend, Timourid has just a second run over hurdles here and may be better for the experience having departed early on his first try over flights at Ballinrobe two years ago.
Prediction : 1st Dontstopthemusic 2nd Sherodan 3rd Timourid

WILLIAMSTOWNDANCER should continue her upward curve by making it two from two over flights. A smart bumper mare, who finished third in Grade 2 company at Aintree on her penultimate start, she didn't have to be at her best to easily land the odds on her hurdling debut at Downpatrick recently. Although faced with a much stiffer assignment now, it will be a surprise if the Willie Mullins-trained five-year-old isn't up to the task. Lucid Dreams has won two of his three runs over hurdles, including at this track last time. Despite dropping back in distance, he looks sure to make a bold bid to complete the hat-trick. Extrapolation ran well below expectations at the Curragh last time but that is unlikely to have been his true running. The Mahler gelding is capable of much better if back on song.
Prediction : 1st Williamstowndancer 2nd Lucid Dreams 3rd Extrapolation

Just three-parts of a length separated ONLY ONE PLAN and Presenting Lad when they clashed here last month, with the Philip Rothwell-trained former coming out on top. With James O'Sullivan claiming a valuable 5lb, the selection is slightly better off at the weights now and can confirm the form, fitted with a tongue-strap for the first time. Ross O'Sullivan saddles Hi Ski and Benefit Run and they both have solid claims. Owned and bred by Patrick Molloy, the former is given second preference. She was successful at Tipperary on her penultimate start and since finished a close fourth at Listowel. Princess Sophia showed signs of coming into season after disappointing at Kilbeggan last month and she might be able to redeem herself now. A case can be made for many others in this competitive affair, with Downtherefordancin, Up And Out, Blackberry Jack and Know The Game a few for the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Only One Plan 2nd Hi Ski 3rd Princess Sophia

A wide-open contest with no standout name in the line-up. OCEAN LEGACY couldn't be described as consistent, but she has won two of her last four and reverts to flights now for the first time since February of last year. Rated 11lb higher over fences, the six-year-old should be able to make an impact in a contest of this quality. Kilmurry Jj is sure to prove popular with punters and is given second preference. Trained in Co Cork by Michael 'Trixie' Barry, he went down by just a neck at Tramore last month and it'll come as no surprise if he manages to go a place better now. It's interesting that connections are persisting with Stowaway Lass, who has a lengthy layoff to overcome. Trained by the shrewd Sam Curling, she makes her debut in handicap company and is probably best watched on what will be her first start in exactly three years. With Rachael Blackmore aboard, Mastermind warrants respect, while others for the shortlist are Mine Me Will He and C&D winner Fill The Tank.
Prediction : 1st Ocean Legacy 2nd Kilmurry Jj 3rd Mastermind

It's difficult to oppose COOLE CHERRY, who has filled the runner-up spot on her three starts to date. She went down by just half a length and a neck on her first two outings, with subsequent winners behind on both occasions. Her most recent effort at Limerick over Christmas was a bit disappointing but she can be forgiven for that performance, with the testing conditions probably not to her liking. Out of an unraced half-sister to Jezki, Jekiki ran a fine race on debut in May and is given second preference with Aine O'Connor aboard. Third of 18 on debut at Greenmount Park, she should come on plenty for that effort. Not without support when fifth at Punchestown on debut, Avakate is another to consider with teenager Emily Costello aboard. Newcomers Jazzwing and French Milan both warrant respect, while River Robe and Deons Diamond are others for the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Coole Cherry 2nd Jekiki 3rd Avakate