UK Horse Racing Tips: Kilbeggan

A weak affair, with VALSOPRESA the stand-out name. A brother to Presenting Percy, he was a beaten favourite at Down Royal last month but can be forgiven for that performance after his saddle slipped early on. Third on debut in a stronger contest at Naas in February, a reproduction of that effort should see him hard to beat. Third on recent outings at Wexford and Listowel respectively, Johnny M is capable of making his presence felt, while it'll be interesting to see how Kiss My Lucky Egg fares on his first start for Peter McCreery. Successful on debut in a bumper at Newton Abbot, he since proved disappointing in four starts for Emmet Mullins. A dual winner on the level, Blackcastle Storm has definite claims with Keith Donoghue aboard, while others of interest are Qatar Spirit, Edge Of My Seat and Il Silenzio.
Prediction : 1st Valsorpresa 2nd Johnny M 3rd Blackcastle Storm

A case can be made for many of these, with THE VIRGINIAN the suggestion. Not beaten far on his most recent starts at Punchestown and Roscommon respectively, it will be disappointing if he's not involved towards the business end here, with Peter Smithers claiming a valuable 7lb. On My Bike is given second preference. The Gavin Cromwell-trained five-year-old ran a fine race on just his second start in handicap company at Bellewstown recently and he is open to further improvement. Maggie Walsh is out of Akatara, who was a bit of a course specialist, winning three times at Kilbeggan. A dual winner in her own right, the Dylan Thomas bay is capable of making her presence felt. Cathys Quest is a half-sister to Sole Pretender and it'll be interesting to see how she fares in first time cheekpieces, while others for the shortlist are Jinxs Link, the Philip Rothwell-trained Prince Of Air and UK import Black Tonic, who makes his debut for Richard O'Brien.
Prediction : 1st The Virginian 2nd On My Bike 3rd Maggie Walsh

A wide-open affair, with CRACKLINROSE the suggestion. Placed three times last summer, the Yeats six-year-old disappointed on her return to action at Tramore but is entitled to come on for that effort. She looks nicely treated off a mark of 80 and with Liam Quinlan claiming 5lb, it'll be disappointing if she is not involved towards the business end. A dual course and distance winner, Beat Of The Sea is given second preference. While it's approaching three years since her most recent success, she did run well to finish fifth on her latest start. Corkbeg has been disappointing since winning at Wexford in May but still warrants respect here as the highest rated runner in the line-up. Kellie's Dream also has a Wexford win to her name and has solid claims after running well to finish fourth on her recent return. Silverstrand is another leading contender, while market support for any of the handicap debutants would be of definite interest.
Prediction : 1st Cracklinrose 2nd Beat Of The Sea 3rd Kellies Dream

With a mark of 118, SUNDIAL is the standout name. A son of Galileo and successful on the level when trained by Aidan O'Brien, he has yet to make the breakthrough in five starts over flights. A close-up fourth in the Boodles at the Cheltenham Festival in March, he takes a significant drop-in class now and is difficult to oppose. Padraig Roche trains the selection for JP McManus and the pair are also represented by newcomer Can't Buy Time. Out of a sister to 2016 Irish National winner Rogue Angel, the Getaway bay was purchased for E60,000 as a three-year-old. Placed six times from 17 career starts, Ta Na La is the biggest danger to Sundial, given significant weight differential. Mr Globalist, Mr Dibbs and Sidiriya are likely to be fighting it out for minor honours.
Prediction : 1st Sundial 2nd Ta Na La 3rd Mr Globalist

NATURAL LOOK was a convincing winner at Cork a week ago and should be able to follow up with Ray Barron claiming a valuable 7lb. A model of consistency last season, the Ocovango seven-year-old disappointed on her first two starts this term, before comfortably dismissing 14-rivals at Cork. Upped 10lb for that success, she might still be ahead of the handicapper on a career high mark of 110. Thornleigh Frank was also successful last week, landing a gamble on his handicap debut at Downpatrick. An 11lb hike from the handicapper duly followed and it'll be interesting to see how he copes with that rise. Goodie Girl is another last time out winner in the line-up and she is sure to have plenty of supporters after her surprise Downpatrick win. Twice-raced since winning at Roscommon in July of 2021, Spoiled Rotten warrants respect, while other leading contenders here are Betty Dutton, Hot As Pepper and Bold Emperor, with the latter rated 12lb higher over fences.
Prediction : 1st Natural Look 2nd Thornleigh Frank 3rd Goodie Girl

CHOICE OF WORDS gets the nod over Jungle Prose and Mousey Brown. The selection went down by just half a length here in May and was fancied by some shrewd judges for the Midlands National last week. As second reserve, she ultimately didn't get a run. Given a mark of 121, the eight-year-old should prove hard to beat, representing Punchestown Gold Cup winning connections. Jungle Prose was a revelation over flights late last year, rattling off four wins in a row. Second on her penultimate outing at Wexford, she makes her debut over fences now and should be able to make her presence felt. Mousey Brown has won her last two at Wexford and it'll come as no surprise if she manages to complete the hat-trick. Successful in a point-to-point on debut, the Califet six-year-old is clearly a talented individual. The remaining four contenders look up against it, with Will You Win the best of them.
Prediction : 1st Choice Of Words 2nd Jungle Prose 3rd Mousey Brown

A case can be made for all nine runners, with TOP LINE TOMMY the suggestion. He belatedly made the breakthrough over fences at Tramore early last month, coming home 16 lengths clear of subsequent dual Wexford winner Clairmc. Not suited by the drop in trip to two miles on his next start at Clonmel, he since finished fifth over flights at Bellewstown. Back over the larger obstacles now and with this trip likely to suit, he should give a good account of himself. Recent course-and-distance winner Pakens Rock is given second preference. The 10-year-old has seven wins to his name and has been consistent in recent starts. Handicap debutants Changing The Rules and Hamundarson are of definite interest, with the former bidding to follow up on a Wexford win. The Walk In The Park bay will have to defy top-weight under Mark Walsh and it'll come as no surprise if he manages to do so. Paul Flynn has his horses in fine form of late and Golden Sandbanks is another leading hope.
Prediction : 1st Top Line Tommy 2nd Pakens Rock 3rd Changing The Rules

Returned at 200/1, DAICHEADACUIG ran a huge race to finish third over the course and distance last month, and a reproduction of that effort would see him hard to beat. Not the most consistent, the Arcadio eight-year-old took minor honours behind Uncle Phil and was just two and three-parts of a length behind subsequent Cork victor Winter Fog. I A Connect was sixth and he also gave the form a boost, winning on his next start at Tipperary. Like the selection, Caridadi has a course win to his name and the 12-year-old is given second preference. A fast-finishing third on his most recent outing at Wexford in March, he should be able to make his presence felt in a contest of this quality. Royal Juniper is a point-to-point winner and would be of definite interest if market support arrives. A case can be made for many others in this weak affair, with Fly De Megaudais, Seskin Flyer and Tick Along all sure to have their supporters.
Prediction : 1st Daicheadacuig 2nd Caridadi 3rd Royal Juniper