UK Horse Racing Tips: Fairyhouse

The Anthony McCann-trained ROCKSTOWN GIRL should win if able to translate her smart bumper form to hurdling. A winner on racecourse debut at Roscommon last July, the five-year-old was subsequently third in both a Listed and Grade 2 Mares bumper. On her final outing of the campaign, she also acquitted herself respectably when seventh of 20 in the Aintree Mares Bumper. Facing nothing of that quality on her first start over flights, it will be disappointing if she can't collect. Faux Fur will need to jump better than on her hurdling debut at Navan but if doing so, the Gordon Elliott-trained mare is capable of running a big race. Leahs Tricks has shaped well enough on both starts over flights to suggest she could at least reach the frame in a race lacking any real strength in depth.
Prediction : 1st Rockstown Girl 2nd Faux Fur 3rd Leahs Tricks

Third in the Grade 1 bumper at Punchestown on his final start last season, the Gordon Elliott-trained KING OF KINGSFIELD should make a winning debut over hurdles. A former point-to-point winner, the Gigginstown-owned five-year-old has already proven his aptitude for jumping. With the potential to take high rank in the novice division this term, the Vadamos gelding should make an immediate impact. Although yet to get his head in front in five starts, Lazer Wolf has proven a consistent performer for trainer Gavin Cromwell. His previous experience over hurdles should stand to him against some lightly raced opposition. Stablemate Redstone, who was in with every chance when falling at the last fence on his only point-to-point run, is one of the more unexposed contenders.
Prediction : 1st King Of Kingsfield 2nd Lazer Wolf 3rd Redstone

MITIVA was friendless in the market when disappointing on handicap debut at Ballinrobe but might be a different proposition after a summer break. Liz Doyle's charge won a bumper on soft ground at Thurles last year and had a couple of good placed runs in maidens so, if she returns to form, there must be a good chance that she can defy a mark of 100. Banada Bridge brings solid handicap form to the table and has only gone down by a length on her latest two starts at Wexford and Sligo. She was runner-up on soft ground at this venue last year. Nurse Garvey has shown improvement in recent maidens and has to enter calculations on her first foray into handicaps.
Prediction : 1st Mitiva 2nd Banada Bridge 3rd Nurse Garvey

SHANNON ROYALE cost plenty after finishing second in a point-to-point for Denis Murphy and can make a winning start over hurdles. Related to plenty of jumps winners, he disappointed when well fancied for a hot bumper at this venue on stable debut but got the job done in good style on heavy ground at Clonmel in April. Skradin has lots of experience and has been running solid races in maidens over this trip. He handles heavy ground and gets nearly a stone from the selection. Huntsgrove has shown a fair level of ability in bumpers and was second to a smart-looking newcomer at Listowel. He has a good chance of being in the money on hurdling debut.
Prediction : 1st Shannon Royale 2nd Skradin 3rd Huntsgrove

EMILY IN PARIS, in common with several stablemates, hit form during the summer and recorded back-to-back wins at Killarney and Sligo. A creditable third in a useful contest at Ballinrobe last time, she's down in grade and might be able to resume winning ways although she wouldn't want the ground too deep. Hand Over Fist is on a hat-trick after beating a subsequent winner at Roscommon. He stays this trip well but is another who wouldn't want underfoot conditions to deteriorate too much. On his third run back after a long absence, Ragin Cajun was a wide margin winner over this trip at Listowel. Matt Smith's ten-year-old isn't the easiest to predict and has gone up 9lb in the ratings but has to be rated a danger.
Prediction : 1st Emily In Paris 2nd Hand Over Fist 3rd Ragin Cajun

TANGO THEATRE has been placed on her last three completed starts in similar events and deserves a winning turn. The point-to-point winner finished well on soft ground at Limerick in July and had both Croi Corcra and He Fitz In behind when beating all bar the impressive Cathys Quest over this trip at Kilbeggan last time. He Fitz In now reverts to hurdles after falling when in front at the last in Sligo last week. Doyen For A Drink filled the runner-up spot in the other division of that aforementioned three-mile Kilbeggan handicap last month. The Paul Nolan-trained mare finished well clear of the remainder and holds Mooney Boy and Suile Ban on that run. Wild As Fire has claims if fit enough after a summer break, while Greatmindstinkalik merits consideration if building on her recent effort at Listowel.
Prediction : 1st Tango Theatre 2nd Doyen For A Drink 3rd Wild As Fire

ZEFIRO DODVILLE won his only point-to-point start for Colin Bowe at Portrush last year and that race has produced a couple of subsequent winners under Rules. The son of Saint Des Saints has since joined Gordon Elliott and it will be interesting to see how strong he is in the market. Midleton Rare has shown promise on all three bumper outings including when runner-up at Sligo and the form of his latest run at the Galway Festival has been working out well since. The booking of Jody Townend is certainly a plus. Locorotondo showed improved form when runner-up at Roscommon but now reappears after a 12-month break, while Rocco Boyo was also second last time behind the odds-on Polly's Fortune on soft ground at Limerick.
Prediction : 1st Zefiro Dodville 2nd Midleton Rare 3rd Rocco Boyo