UK Horse Racing Tips: Wexford

THE LOVELY MAN should be good enough to win here for local trainer Colm Murphy. A reproduction of his most recent effort when runner-up in a similar grade at Naas back in March would almost certainly suffice. Prior to that, the Mastercraftsman gelding had shown ability on two earlier runs. Although making his reappearance here after a break, the four-year-old has run well fresh in the past. Boher Road made a promising debut over hurdles when second at Killarney in May before unseating when sent off favourite next time. Provided that he is none the worse for that mishap, the Jarlath Fahey-trained gelding should be a leading contender. Smart flat handicapper Good Heavens shaped well on his initial foray over hurdles before finding the step into graded company too much on his second start. The Joseph O'Brien-trained gelding will find this easier.
Prediction : 1st The Lovely Man 2nd Boher Road 3rd Good Heavens

PRINCE OF AIR can follow up his recent Tramore win with his accomplished jockey negating the penalty he picked up for that success. The Philip Rothwell-trained gelding was always to the fore before kicking on and taking control before the final flight. Similar tactics should work just as well around a tight track such as this. Mullins Cross filled the runner-up spot in that aforementioned race but won't find it easy to reverse the placings at these revised weights. Depeche Mo travelled strongly for a long way at Killarney last week before stamina limitations exposed the five-year-old late on. Now back over the trip at which he finished second on his only previous visit to this venue, the Eric Larkin-trained gelding rates a live danger.
Prediction : 1st Prince Of Air 2nd Mullins Cross 3rd Depeche Mo

BRIDESWELL LAD appears to hold strong claims of giving trainer Seamus Neville a winner at his local track. The seven-year-old ran a huge race over fences on his latest start when sixth at the Galway festival. Although arguably not as good a horse over hurdles, the Shirocco gelding is difficult to ignore off a 31lb lower rating here. The Mass Path would have been a stronger fancy had connections decided to retain the headgear he wore when runner-up at Sligo last time. With that aid appearing to have brought about significant improvement, it is somewhat surprising that it is dispensed with here. Rockview Roman made a pleasing handicap debut when second at Sligo earlier this month. With the benefit of that experience, the John McConnell-trained seven-year-old should be right in the mix.
Prediction : 1st Brideswell Lad 2nd The Mass Path 3rd Rockview Roman

SILENT APPROACH has every chance of registering a first career win in a race where on her best form she sets a decent standard. The Con O'Keeffe-trained mare finished third in a well contested Listed hurdle at Killarney in May but failed to back that run up when a beaten favourite at Listowel subsequently. Now stepped up markedly in trip for the first time, the five-year-old looks to hold strong claims. Workforadime was unlucky in running when the subject of a gamble at Kilbeggan in May but has failed to trouble the judge in two runs since then. The Charles Byrnes-trained mare is another that should appreciate the emphasis on stamina here. Lucky Storm would have gone very close at Tramore last time only for veering left and throwing her chance away at the final flight.
Prediction : 1st Silent Approach 2nd Workforadime 3rd Lucky Storm

Time To Rocco is likely to struggle, but a case can be made for the remaining five. It's somewhat surprising to see Uncle Phil return to Wexford, with Patrick Mullins commenting after his recent Kilbeggan success: "This track suited him much better, a flatter track. Wexford was a bit too stiff for him, he likes to get on with it." I A Connect finished behind Uncle Phil at the Co Westmeath venue and while since successful at Tipperary, he might find it difficult to reverse the form. The admirable Effernock Fizz ran another fine race when second at Ballinrobe on Monday and with Carl Millar again claiming a valuable 7lb, she should give a good account of herself. Bidding to complete a four-timer, Lucky Zebo faces his toughest task to date, but it'll come as no surprise if he manages to prevail. While disappointing at Galway, JOYEUX MACHIN is given the chance to redeem himself. The locally trained six-year-old clearly acts well around Bettyville and can take this quality affair.
Prediction : 1st Joyeux Machin 2nd Lucky Zebo 3rd Uncle Phil

SEARCH FOR A MYTH has turned a corner this season, winning two of her three starts to date. Successful here in May, she followed-up at Tipperary before finishing a close fifth of 18 on her latest outing at Cork. Mixing it between hurdles and fences, the Flemensfirth six-year-old looks well-capable of winning a race of this standard. With Paddy O'Hanlon claiming a valuable 5lb, Early Arrival is given second preference. While she has just one win to her name from 29 career starts, she has been running well of late and can make her presence felt. Beaten by just half-a-length over the course and distance on her most recent start, Downtown Queen is sure to have plenty of supporters and it'll come as no surprise if she manages to prevail. Lake Chad also filled the runner-up spot at Tramore and while that was an excellent effort, he hasn't managed to win a race in well over a year. Robyndeglory warrants respect on her handicap debut over fences, while Rebel Waltz is another for the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Search For A Myth 2nd Early Arrival 3rd Downtown Queen

RUDY CATRAIL has been in fine form of late and looks the safest option in this low-grade affair. The likeable front-runner claimed this very race four years ago and registered a fifth track success when delivering on his penultimate start at Roscommon. He again bravely attempted to make all at Kilbeggan on Friday of last week and while ultimately failing to hold off Winnie Woodnutt, he was 35-lengths clear of the third. Tennessee Titan is given second preference, racing off his hurdles mark of 91. The locally trained seven-year-old has a point-to-point win to his name and should be able to make an impact in a contest of this quality. North Of Nashville has a similar profile and with Jordan Gainford a positive jockey booking, it'll be interesting to see how she fares. Top-weight Room To Roam, course winner Ocean Legacy and Roscommon third Courting Vickie are other leading hopes.
Prediction : 1st Rudy Catrail 2nd Tennessee Titan 3rd North Of Nashville