UK Horse Racing Tips: Roscommon

GENTLE AND KIND did well to finish second on her first run for 811 days last month. A 2021 point-to-point winner for Paul Power, the winner of her recent Kilbeggan race subsequently finished fourth in a smart Listed hurdle at Galway and the selection could improve, with trip and easy ground in her favour. Givago represents Willie Mullins and Paul Townend but showed little on his recent bumper debut, despite starting odds-on. His rider reported he 'made a respiratory noise six furlongs out' and while almost sure to improve, he debuts over jumps against a more experienced selection. Getaway Charlie is suited by soft and stays well but faces a slightly stiffer task than second at Cork. Tullybawn has moved yards since an encouraging second at Downpatrick (from which the third horse won since) but also faces a tougher test. Patricks Hill is lightly raced but has bits of useful form, although he received 8lb from the first two horses at Killarney last month. Noble Blue and Skradin need to improve, while Lake Winnipesaukee debuts over hurdles.
Prediction : 1st Gentle And Kind 2nd Givago 3rd Getaway Charlie

HASHTAG PRETENDER is long absent but is capable and has form on soft. Bought for 80,000 euros following a debut Flat win in his native France in November 2020, he ran well in a useful Killarney hurdle last August and while he has had a training setback, bypassed last week's Galway Festival for this lesser target. Reverend Hubert is interesting for Charles Byrnes, who won this contest in 2016. Rated in the 80s on the Flat in the UK, he is ground-versatile and while he also stays well, might ideally prefer a longer distance over hurdles, is long-absent and has no jumping experience. Ballycallan King was the subject of a running and riding enquiry over course and distance last month but was nonetheless well held by the winner, who conceded 15lb. Pahlavi has been well held in his two completed hurdle runs and would ideally prefer good ground. Notodaybobo and Tideways Hero have similar profiles in that both have been well held in two recent hurdles and might prefer good ground. Extensio won last year's Apprentice Derby and should be suited by National Hunt distances but makes his jumps debut and is more effective on fast ground.
Prediction : 1st Hashtag Pretender 2nd Reverend Hubert 3rd Ballycallan King

SECRET ARTIST is a notable runner for Charles Byrnes, who bashed the bookies in this corresponding race in 2019. Lightly raced, his bumper form was slightly better than his current 100 hurdle rating and while well held on handicap debut last December, takes a big step up in distance, likes testing ground and his rider claims 5lb. Dancing Jeremy was beaten 3 1/4 lengths by Fill The Tank at Limerick last month but is now 12lb better off and might reverse the placings. Dancing Jeremy is well suited by this distance, as well as soft ground, and has been running consistently well. Gotthenod is a likeable six-time hurdle winner who is ground-versatile and should run well. Appian Way would prefer a sound surface but stays well and had a nice run on the Flat recently. Hand Over Fist, Ballyglass Beauty and Steps Match are all consistent and capable at this level but would prefer good ground. More Info is ground-versatile and has been running well, while Hidalgo Des Mottes would probably prefer good ground and runs in first-time cheekpieces.
Prediction : 1st Secret Artist 2nd Dancing Jeremy 3rd Gotthenod

GENTLEMAN JOE has the potential to make up into a smart chaser this season if taking to fences. Listed-placed on the Flat when trained in Britain, the five-year-old took time to win over hurdles but finally put it all together when getting off the mark at Clonmel in May. The very fact connections have taken the decision to switch to chasing without another run over flights suggest that they feel this is where his future lies. Tom Cooper appears to have similar intentions with former dual French winner Garrybello. The five-year-old made his Irish debut in a Grade 2 Hurdle at Fairyhouse last April, so is clearly well regarded. He ran his best race in this country to date when fourth at Killarney last time. Gracchus De Balme was rated the highest of these over flights but will need to brush up his jumping after failing to complete on his first two starts over fences.
Prediction : 1st Gentleman Joe 2nd Garrybello 3rd Gracchus De Balme

The lightly-raced ROYAL JUNIPER shaped well enough on his recent handicap debut to suggest he can get his head in front at this level. A former point-to-point winner, the Tony Martin-trained gelding had struggled in hunter chases but looked a different horse on his return from a break. Denis O'Regan, who was on board the seven-year-old at Kilbeggan last time, retains the ride here. The Eye Of Tulla had been very consistent prior to disappointing at Tipperary last time. The Brian McMahon-trained seven-year-old should be capable of a big run in a grade where he has already proven himself. Agirlcalledchloe was unfortunate to bump into a well handicapped horse on her latest start at Tipperary. She, too, holds strong claims in a winnable race.
Prediction : 1st Royal Juniper 2nd The Eye Of Tulla 3rd Agirlcalledchloe

KILMURRY JJ can register the first win of his career on his debut for new connections. The six-year-old has gone close on his last two starts for his previous trainer, including when runner-up here over hurdles last month. Terence O'Brien is wasting no time in sending the Imperial Monarch gelding straight over fences on his initial outing for the stable. Fr Gilligansyoyge is an infrequent winner but has been in the form of his life recently at the age of 10. The son of Yeats was runner-up at Kilbeggan last time and a reproduction if that effort would see him go very close in this company. Tullyhogue Fort, a winner at Tipperary last month, is another with a solid chance in what looks quite an open contest.
Prediction : 1st Kilmurry Jj 2nd Fr Gilligansvoyge 3rd Tullyhogue Fort

PINKY sets the standard here having finished a creditable third on her racecourse debut at Down Royal in June. The Emmet Mullins-trained filly missed an engagement at Galway during the week but should find this an easier assignment. Granted normal improvement from her initial run, the daughter of Policy Maker should take some beating. Can't Resist It ran a big race on his introduction at Killarney last month, travelling easily before weakening late on. With the benefit of that experience, it would be no great surprise to see an improved performance here. Portcammon has to be a serious contender on his racecourse debut. The Willie Mullins-trained gelding wouldn't need to be anything out of the ordinary in order to make his presence felt in this company.
Prediction : 1st Pinky 2nd Cant Resist It 3rd Portcammon