UK Horse Racing Tips: Dundalk

The 86-rated CELTIC CROWN has been a touch disappointing on her last couple of outings but may be worth a shot here. The six-year-old was turned over in a claimer at Gowran Park last month when a short enough price and failed to make any impression in a decent handicap at Navan last time. This is an easier task now and she ran well on her only previous visit here back in March. James McAuley runs two in the race and Dalvey, second highest on official ratings, may be his best chance. The three-year-old Hasten Slowly gets a nice chunk of weight off her rivals and is another for the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Celtic Crown 2nd Dalvey 3rd Hasten Slowly

Being held up seemed to work well for MARALINGA at Tipperary early last month so a wide draw here isn't a huge concern. He was a cosy winner last time and, despite a 10lb hike for that, could still be on a competitive mark. The Footstepsinthesand gelding has run well here in the past as well. The Mpex Kid looks the obvious danger having won here last week. He was maybe value for a bit more than his three-quarters of a length win and should run well under 7lb more. Jaafel has been running consistently and it was a solid effort to finish third in a strong contest won by Migdam here last week. He's another that has to come into calculations.
Prediction : 1st Maralinga 2nd The Mpex Kid 3rd Jaafel

MARTINSTOWN ran much better on his second start back when third here last week and there looks more to come from the Galileo colt. He stayed on over a mile and a half to finish third to Ceallach and is fancied to go close now despite dropping back in trip. A strong pace here should suit. San Andreas has gained all his wins over shorter but ran well in Listed company over course and distance when third to Piz Badile late last month. Conor Stone-Walsh takes a useful 7lb off his back now to ease the burden of top-weight. Slieve Binnian was a course and distance three weeks ago and has to be respected in a higher grade now.
Prediction : 1st Martinstown 2nd San Andreas 3rd Slieve Binnian

HUXLEY has been running in some hot maidens and can defy top-weight now on his handicap debut. The Galileo colt was fourth to City Of Troy on his penultimate outing before chasing home another Ballydoyle runner, Capulet, on a visit here in mid-August. The winner has been placed twice in Group 2 company since while he also had Nor Time Nor Tide back in third last time, who has won twice since and is now rated 96. King Of Gosford, a winner over course and distance a fortnight ago, is fitted with cheekpieces now and looks open to further improvement. Uncle Albert has been running well in nurseries and is place material.
Prediction : 1st Huxley 2nd King Of Gosford 3rd Uncle Albert

VON KROLOCK hails from a yard in great form and should go close if adapting to this surface on this first visit to the track. The selection was placed twice in big-field handicaps over this trip at Cork and had Pallasmore Lass about two lengths behind when just denied by Rock Dandy (won again since). Eglish is an obvious threat having won five times at this venue including three over this trip. He's dropped down to a lowly mark and shaped very well after a summer break over the minimum trip here a fortnight ago. Hale Bopp comes here off the back of a course win over a mile last month, while Coviglia won twice at this venue last year and didn't enjoy a clear passage at Thurles last time.
Prediction : 1st Von Krolock 2nd Eglish 3rd Coviglia

ROCK DANDY has progressed steadily since joining Pat Murphy this year scoring twice in the space of five days over this trip at Cork and Roscommon. He probably didn't appreciate soft ground subsequently at the Listowel Festival and is an interesting contender on his first try on the polytrack surface. Bucky Larson has three course wins to his credit over a mile and, while without a victory in nearly a year, has dropped down to an attractive mark. Jalo was claimed out of Noel Meade's yard after getting up on the line to win a maiden over six here last time and, having been tried over various distances, this could well be his optimum trip. Mr Stanley was placed a number of times over this trip for Richard Hannon and now makes his first start for Leanne Breen.
Prediction : 1st Rock Dandy 2nd Bucky Larson 3rd Jalo

SHE'S IN THE GAME is well suited by this trip and appreciated a switch to this surface when scoring twice over C&D last winter. The Bill Farrell-trained mare didn't enjoy much luck in running when reappearing after a summer break at Fairyhouse last month but finished well when beaten less than two lengths behind Plume Noire and may bolster her good record at this venue under regular partner Neve Bennett. Vadiana was soundly beaten in that aforementioned Fairyhouse event but appears better suited by a sounder surface and was successful on her only previous outing at this venue in a mile maiden last December. Many Tears bids for a quick follow up after scoring over C&D last Friday, while Alabama Pearl ran well on her only previous all-weather start here last year and was probably unsuited by soft ground at the Curragh last time.
Prediction : 1st Shes In The Game 2nd Vadiana 3rd Many Tears

RATTLETHEONIONBAG and Cross Border are closely matched on running behind Dagoda over this trip at the Curragh this summer with slight preference given to the Willie Browne-trained filly. The selection was making her debut when finishing well from off the pace to take third on that occasion but the combination of an extra furlong and different tactics didn't see her to best advantage next time at Fairyhouse. Cross Border had Ballysax Lil' Mick about two lengths behind when third at Down Royal last month and was probably unsuited by testing ground at Bellewstown last time. Apple A Dey appears held on that aforementioned Curragh race won by Dagoda while Gerrit's Gem, a half-brother to Group 3 winner Power Under Me, and If But Maybe are two newcomers to keep a close eye on.
Prediction : 1st Rattletheonionbag 2nd Cross Border 3rd Gerrits Gem