UK Horse Racing Tips: Sligo

Claimer king James McAuley has 'handicapped' his quartet of runners pretty much in accordance with how they are officially rated and all four have top jockeys aboard. TEXAS SUN is less exposed than the other trio sporting the orange silks and ran quite well against higher-rated rivals in a Ballinrobe maiden on stable debut. From trap one he should be able to get a good position under Gary Carroll and can go close. Bringsty ran no race in a claimer the same day at Ballinrobe but had been highly consistent prior to that, with two wins and four seconds in his previous eight starts. Assuming the last day was a blip, he's likely to contend. Darkened won over hurdles at last year's Galway Festival but was unplaced under both codes at Ballybrit last week. Third over 1m at Killarney before heading west, this will be his first time in claiming company and the five-time winner merits plenty of respect on overall form.
Prediction : 1st Texas Sun 2nd Bringsty 3rd Darkened

Pat Martin was one of the first trainers to latch onto Dylan Browne McMonagle when the young Donegal rider was making his way up the apprentice ranks and the pair have a good record when joining forces. SO MESSI was placed in his first two handicaps and just failed to get up over 1m at Killarney last time. He handled that left-handed track better than right-handed Ballinrobe the time before and hopefully the return to a clockwise circuit won't be an issue. Believe Me Now got no run on handicap debut at Roscommon before finishing a creditable fourth to a subsequent Galway festival winner on a return visit. She's had a break and coming back in trip may well suit. Katonah was a fair fifth in her first handicap at Leopardstown. Denied racing room on her next start, she may have been unsuited to making the running at Cork last time and is capable of better.
Prediction : 1st So Messi 2nd Believe Me Now 3rd Katonah

Joseph O'Brien won this valuable handicap last year and can strike again with PERFECT PORTRAIT. Only beaten three lengths in a Group 3 at the Curragh in October, the daughter of Zoffany got off the mark on her second start of the season at Gowran before finishing sixth in a Listed race at Naas. The latter contest didn't look the deepest for the grade at the time but the winner went on to be placed in the Irish Oaks and this represents a fair drop in class for the selection. Siobhan Rutledge picks up a notable ride for Jessica Harrington on Starry Heavens who was an impressive Curragh maiden winner in the autumn but has been lacklustre in three starts this term. Only two lengths off Perfect Portrait in the aforementioned Curragh Group 3, she gets a handy 13lb from that rival now. Signora Bellissima often makes the running and has finished first and second when ridden that way in Leopardstown handicaps this season. Not at her best the last twice, she may be able to bounce back at a venue that suits prominent racers.
Prediction : 1st Perfect Portrait 2nd Starry Heavens 3rd Signora Bellissima

CARDINAL ZIN was an eye-catcher in Leopardstown, after being backed at fancy prices, and appeals on his second start. The penny really dropped in the final furlong as he ran on well for seventh, and there should be considerable improvement to come. The runner-up in that race came out and landed a Galway maiden in decisive fashion. Kiki Roberts didn't have a clear run inside the final furlong of a Bellewstown maiden before finishing third, so has to rate a danger. King Of Gosford showed improvement to finish fourth in Down Royal and avails of the best draw in stall one. Si Senior isn't out of it while the three newcomers - Mctenett, Spanish Battleship and Seskin Road - are well worth checking for market strength.
Prediction : 1st Cardinal Zin 2nd Kiki Roberts 3rd King Of Gosford

UNCLE ALBERT showed plenty of speed in his two maiden runs over 6f before weakening late on. Although he failed to improve when dropped to the minimum trip last time, perhaps the Kieran Cotter-trained gelding will find his level now entering handicap company for the first time. Lia Fail makes a quick reappearance having run with credit when third in a far stronger race at Galway on Saturday. If this doesn't come too soon then the Michael Mulvany-trained filly has to be involved. Veracidad was not disgraced at Cork last time and also warrants a second look.
Prediction : 1st Uncle Albert 2nd Lia Fail 3rd Veracidad

JACKIE BROWN can follow up her Fairyhouse win for Tony Martin and Ben Coen. The daughter of Smooth Daddy was always prominent at the County Meath track, so Coen is likely to make plenty of use of his favourable low draw on this occasion. The form of that aforementioned race has worked out well in the interim with the runner-up winning on her next start. Sneddy Eddie finished in front of Jackie Brown when they met over course and distance in May but will find it more difficult to confirm that form from his outside draw. Nonetheless, the locally-trained son of Churchill is sure to be a leading contender. American In Paris was well behind the Tony Martin-trained selection at Fairyhouse but has since gone on to win at Cork so could be an improving type.
Prediction : 1st Jackie Brown 2nd Sneddy Eddie 3rd American In Paris

Although it took FOLLY BEACH 18 attempts to shed her maiden tag, the Mark Molloy-trained five-year-old has every chance of following up her recent win at Leopardstown. The Golden Horn mare made all the running on that occasion and similar tactics could prove just as effective around this tighter track. Beer With The Boys ran well at this meeting last year but had appeared to lose his way somewhat of late. However, there was sufficient promise on his recent third at Ballinrobe to suggest the eight-year-old may be returning to form. Notturno has been running consistently all season but has often found himself on the wrong side of the draw. From a more favourable berth here, Colin Keane should be able to race more prominently on the Noel Meade-trained gelding.
Prediction : 1st Folly Beach 2nd Beer With The Boys 3rd Notturno