UK Horse Racing Tips: Dundalk

ERUPTION was unsuited by soft at Naas, but has previous form at this level and now looks ahead of the handicapper. Her five all-weather runs are poor, but were contested over unsuitable distances and she now drops to five furlongs running from a career-low rating and under a 7lb claimer. Havana Notion is also suited by five furlongs and has all-weather form. He ran OK here recently, drops in distance, and is ridden by a 7lb claimer. Californiagoldrush ran well enough in a recent claimer and while raised 5lb, is proven on this surface, although she drops back in distance. Inishmot Prince is a five-time course winner who has been out of form, but his rating has fallen. The admirable Geological is in form, but will be unsuited by this distance. Eglish has also been running reasonably well, but would prefer slightly further. Red Cymbal's recent form is also over longer trips and he hasn't won since January 2020.
Prediction : 1st Eruption 2nd Havana Notion 3rd Californiagoldrush

THE HIGHWAY RAT is a track-and-trip specialist and can turn around mid-September Curragh form with Big Gossey. A Group 3 winner over C&D in 2021, he is holding his form and ran well at the Curragh twice recently. The five-year-old is very closely matched with Harry's Bar on their most recent meetings in September and October 2022, but the eight-year-old Harry's Bar may have lost a little pace in the intervening period and was well held recently. Big Gossey is another C&D winner and while now in rude health, is a fraction better over six furlongs on turf. Lady Tilbury likes this distance and is ground-versatile on turf, but has yet to prove herself on this surface. Hispanic won here in August, but finished last of seven in a Longchamp Group 3 recently. Arnhem needs to improve.
Prediction : 1st The Highway Rat 2nd Harrys Bar 3rd Big Gossey

Royal Ascot winner VALIANT FORCE can defy top weight. Winner of the Norfolk Stakes, he was subsequently beaten a long way in the Prix Morny but that form is very strong, with the winner following up with another top-level triumph, while the high-class third and fourth were each placed at Group 1 level next time. He debuts on the all-weather, but likes fast ground so should be fine. Pipsy won really well on easy ground at the Curragh and while she drops in distance and debuts on the all-weather, she remains unexposed and should also progress. Alabama was beaten a neck by Son Of Corballis (well beaten recently) in July, but is now 3lb better off and won over C&D last month, beating Emerald Banner. Chandigah finished third in a Group 3 in August, but drops to this distance for the first time and debuts on the all-weather. Rush Queen has place claims.
Prediction : 1st Valiant Force 2nd Pipsy 3rd Alabama

THE BEAR TRAP debuts for new connections, seems dependable, and is suited by this distance. He ran well in a similar Down Royal nursery last month (Poppadom fifth) and was subsequently claimed having again run well at Fairyhouse (Tartaraghan fifth). Guest Star, another ex-Jessica Harrington-trained runner, finished second in a Navan claimer in August and was then well held at Naas before changing hands. Tai Tam Bay has good recent form on easy ground, but encounters a different surface and steps up in distance. Masonbrook Meadow showed promise on debut and now runs in first-time cheekpieces, while King Of Gosford wasn't beaten too far in a better nursery recently.
Prediction : 1st The Bear Trap 2nd Guest Star 3rd Tai Tam Bay

KAIRYU returns from a mini-break and steps up slightly in trip under a Group 2 penalty, but debuts for new owners and is an Irish 1,000 Guineas entrant. Her Curragh Group 3 success was admirable, with the runner-up being Group 1-placed recently, and she could be suited by this surface. Mountain Bear has solid stakes form and while well held at Doncaster, that was on soft and he should be better suited by this surface. Rising Sign won impressively when well supported on her Punchestown debut and while this race is much stronger, she is by Frankel and open to vast improvement. Mysteries is consistent and dependable but might bump into a few too strong, while Ragga Bomb steps up from a maiden win and looks the stable second string. Battle Cry may have been unsuited by soft at Doncaster, having previously won a maiden on good to firm, and has place claims.
Prediction : 1st Kairyu 2nd Mountain Bear 3rd Rising Sign

LOCAL GIRL's form is nothing exciting, but she has a fair level of ability and runs in a winnable maiden. She improved a little when finishing second at Leopardstown in July and while well held in a Cork handicap subsequently, she was one of only two maidens to contest that race. She has good-ground form so should be fine on the all-weather, and likes this distance. Ground-versatile One Boss has stronger form and seems dependable, but dropping to seven furlongs isn't ideal on her all-weather debut. Jack Red Cloud was probably unsuited by heavy ground at Down Royal and if he recaptures his debut Leopardstown form, has strong claims. Blue News is a frustrating 17-race maiden, while Baalbec Beauty has some bits of form but might bump into a few too strong. Quick Blessing was well held recently. Shanadar runs in a first-time hood, while Ocean Symphony runs in cheekpieces.
Prediction : 1st Local Girl 2nd One Boss 3rd Jack Red Cloud

JERED MADDOX is an in-form all-weather specialist. He is 10lb higher than when winning readily at Laytown and competes from a career-high mark, but might be able to cope and is equally as effective at this distance. Sweetest Rose is just 3lb higher than when winning at Bellewstown in August. She was beaten in two course maidens last November, but seemed to act on this surface. Dandyville has good form and likes this venue, but has done most of his racing over six furlongs. Sheyya has run just twice this year, but caught the eye when finishing well at Cork in August. She looks reasonably treated from her revised mark, but disappointed on her only all-weather run. Previous C&D winner Hightimeyouwon continues in good form, but doesn't look ahead of the handicapper. Ransom runs for another different trainer and might prefer a mile.
Prediction : 1st Jered Maddox 2nd Sweetest Rose 3rd Dandyville

TIME TO BOOGIE has an each-way chance in her first handicap. This Navan fillies' maiden winner may yet prove to be better than a 74-rated handicapper. After that success, she was pitched into a Group 3 at Fairyhouse but weakened out of contention. It is interesting that connections send her to the Polytrack for her handicap bow. Emeric is well versed on the Polytrack and has won three of his last four starts, including two at this track. He has won off a break before and is a big player. Caulaincourt just lost out by a short head over a similar trip at Naas in August and should appreciate this surface. Jabbar arrives on the back of victories on the turf at Killarney and Roscommon and has to be respected. He was successful on the all-weather track in Newcastle for his former trainer.
Prediction : 1st Time To Boogie 2nd Emeric 3rd Caulaincourt