UK Horse Racing Tips: Dundalk

UN BACIO ANCORA arrives on the back of a couple of good runs and may prove the answer. She seemed to perform to a good bit above her mark when runner-up at the Curragh last Saturday and although it may be a bit dangerous to take that too literally, at least she comes here in good heart, which can't be said for many of the others. Lope De Rueda has hinted at some ability and has the top mark of 67. He could be a player now in this grade. Emorcee didn't run too badly when mid-division in handicap company here a week ago and his mark of 65 entitles him to play a part.
Prediction : 1st Un Bacio Ancora 2nd Lope De Rueda 3rd Emorcee

Not a strong looking contest and four-time C&D winner TAI SING YEH may be able to bag another victory at the track. He didn't make much impression on the beach at Laytown last time, but had run well to finish runner-up at Leopardstown previously and looks to have slipped to a workable mark. Stablemate Rocky Dreams has a similar profile, having also won four over track and trip, and comes here on the back of a moderate run at Laytown. He could be the danger. Hero Of The Hour is a three-time C&D winner and is another who has to be on the shortlist on his return to action.
Prediction : 1st Tai Sing Yeh 2nd Rocky Dreams 3rd Hero Of The Hour

GRAND JOB sets a good standard here. The Justify filly has been placed twice from three starts, with her other run coming when fifth in Group 2 company. She looked to bump into a very smart filly in Rising Sign at Punchestown last time and would be unlucky to meet another one of that quality. Gentileschi has placed form in France and is one to note on her first outing for Josh Halley. There are a few barrier trial winners in the field. The Jessica Harrington-trained Starry Dew looked a nice sort when winning her trial here, while Vina Arana also came home in front in her heat and impressed with the way she quickened late. Aidan O'Brien saddles two newcomers as well, both by Galileo. Osprey is a daughter of dual Group 3 winner So Perfect, while Lily Hart is a sister to black-type performers High Heels and Facade.
Prediction : 1st Grand Job 2nd Starry Dew 3rd Gentileschi

ROCKBURY LAD had been threatening to win a race for a while before his success here last week. The Showcasing gelding travelled well to challenge then and was probably value for a bit more than his winning margin. With that confidence-boosting success, he may be able to defy a 7lb rise. Yester chased him home a week ago and, on revised terms, he is an obvious danger. Darkdeserthighway, a stablemate of the selection, ran better when finishing third at Punchestown last time and has slipped to a competitive mark. He is another for the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Rockbury Lad 2nd Yester 3rd Darkdeserthighway

PIZ BADILE has a few questions to answer coming here off a break, but could prove a class act. The Ulysses colt was runner-up in the Irish Derby last year before a disappointing effort in France, which ended his season. He ran a nice race when third on his return at the Curragh at the start of May, and travelled well for a long way before failing to go with the front two late on in the Tattersalls Gold Cup later that month. He seems best suited by nice ground and this surface should be OK. Bold Discovery is next best on official ratings, with a mark of 108, and looks the danger. The Jessica Harrington-trained colt produced a solid run to finish sixth in Group 2 company at Leopardstown and is battle-hardened recently. His stablemate Villanova Queen wasn't far behind him when eighth at Leopardstown and is another who has to come into calculations.
Prediction : 1st Piz Badile 2nd Bold Discovery 3rd Villanova Queen

ECLAT DE LUMIERE can go one better having been unfortunate to bump into an improving mare when runner-up at Clonmel. With the winner of that race following up at Listowel subsequently, the form has a solid look to it. The Dermot Weld-trained four-year-old had been threatening to strike in recent starts so has to be a leading contender, with a first-time visor another potential positive. Walhaan hasn't been at his best in recent outings, but reverts to the Polytrack off a handy mark. He was in decent form at this track around the same time last year so has to be a threat under Colin Keane. Pierre Lapin boasts a similar profile, as another who looks nicely handicapped if recapturing last winter's best form.
Prediction : 1st Eclat De Lumiere 2nd Walhaan 3rd Pierre Lapin

Top-weight CELTIC REVIVAL may be able to overcome that burden under leading apprentice James Ryan. The Eddie Lynam-trained gelding won twice under Ryan at this track last winter and shaped with plenty of encouragement when runner-up here on his penultimate start. Ridden by Ben Coen on that occasion, he races off 5lb lower now once taking Ryan's claim into account. C&D winner Golden Sandbanks has been in fine form of late, winning over hurdles at Sligo and on the Flat at Galway. Despite his wide draw in stall 14, the Paul Flynn-trained six-year-old is capable of a big run. Union Flag has been gradually getting the hang of things since switching to handicap company, and there was plenty to like about his staying-on third over 10 furlongs here last week.
Prediction : 1st Celtic Revival 2nd Golden Sandbanks 3rd Union Flag

Although now 9lb higher than when winning here last week, FAIRYTALE PRINCESS should be able to defy the handicapper for a second time. The Ger Lyons-trained three-year-old looked to show huge improvement for the switch to the all-weather surface, so having remained in the lowest grade, she can follow up. If anything, stepping up an additional two furlongs could well see the daughter of Camelot in a better light. Numidia was only just denied in the second division of that same handicap last Friday, albeit in a slightly slower time. The Peter Lawlor-trained gelding is a former course winner who is certainly worth another try at this distance. Now 3lb below her mark when winning over C&D last November, Maura's Gift also has to enter calculations.
Prediction : 1st Fairytale Princess 2nd Numidia 3rd Mauras Gift