UK Horse Racing Tips: Clonmel

SOLO FLIGHT finished 74 lengths behind the winner at Fairyhouse last month but it would be wise to view him on previous form. Placed in two useful point-to-points for Gerry Keane last season before finishing fifth for new connections at the Punchestown festival, he is clearly no star and usually runs in a tongue-tie but drops to a weak maiden hurdle. Charity Barnum was reported to be 'blowing hard post race' when beaten 36 lengths on her first run for 257 days last month but also has form. Her Navan fifth-placing in February reads well and she should improve considerably from her Punchestown reappearance. Majestic Topaz has bits of bumper form but debuts over hurdles on reappearance while Caughtinaspell has some pointing form and is race-fit. Ganderstown's form isn't hectic but is a four-year-old who might improve.
Prediction : 1st Solo Flight 2nd Charity Barnum 3rd Majestic Topaz

BIRDSANDTHEBEES showed some promise on her return following 411 days off last month. An eight-race maiden but has nonetheless run well in some handicaps, should be suited by reverting to this distance and should better her rating. Stellar Symphony failed to win in 15 point-to-points, which would ordinarily ring alarm bells, but showed improvement winning a three-mile Kilbeggan hurdle in September. She ran well on heavy ground over this distance at Limerick last month and should compete. Premier Queen finished 24 lengths behind her at Limerick and while her form is in-and-out, revels over this course and distance on heavy ground. Natural Breeze has won just once from 22 runs but is consistent and likes testing conditions. Star Official also goes on testing ground and while he drops in grade from his Gowran run, has top weight. Kalanisi Dubh and Toon River have form while Late Vocation debuts in handicaps.
Prediction : 1st Birdsandthebees 2nd Stellar Symphony 3rd Premier Queen

ST CUTHBERT'S CAVE conceded 8lb to the subsequent Grade 1-placed winner at Fairyhouse last month, is race-fit and proven on heavy ground. He finished tired when beaten 12 lengths at Fairyhouse – with the runner-up also winning subsequently, and while he steps up in distance, should improve jumping-wise and today's rider claims 5lb. Chapeau De Soleil finished mid-field in the Cheltenham bumper and has winning point-to-point form for Colin Bowe. He hinted in both bumper runs that longer distances might suit, and while he receives 3lb from the selection, lacks race-fitness. Great Universe won a March course heavy-ground bumper by 25 lengths and while Derek O'Connor is a positive booking, carries top weight. Prince Palace chased home a smart type at Naas but faces similarly tough opponents while Ballybrack Wood was beaten 37 lengths by a subsequent Grade 1 winner here last month but should improve. Dual point-to-point winner On Lovers Walk ran well in a lesser course maiden recently.
Prediction : 1st St Cuthberts Cave 2nd Chapeau De Soleil 3rd Great Universe

CASH BACK is an 11 year old but is holding form and receives 10lb from Absolute Notions. This is his first run at this distance but ran well over slightly-shorter 2m7f at Thurles in October and, importantly, has winning course form on heavy ground. Absolute Notions was Grade 1-placed last February before pulling up at Aintree, where a post-race examination failed to reveal any abnormalities although his rider opined he 'would have preferred a quicker surface'. He beat inferior rivals to win on heavy-ground reappearance last month and today concedes plenty weight. Desert Heather has a chance on official ratings with her rider's 5lb claim. However she was a fraction underwhelming on her most recent Cork run, when also receiving some weight from the placed-horses. Course winner Monishter Are Mwee revels in heavy ground and has a feather weight but hasn't run for 382 days.
Prediction : 1st Cash Back 2nd Absolute Notions 3rd Desert Heather

Dual point-to-point winner KITSILANO drops markedly in grade from a recent Cheltenham run. His hurdling form is ordinary but, notably, in his point-to-points he twice easily defeated the 113-rated chaser Dundaniel. He should be suited by reverting to this distance and more testing ground might also play to his strengths. Kopon showed promise on her comeback following 350 days off in November and has winning distance form on heavy ground. She defeated a subsequent three-time winner to score at Gowran in November 2022 and should compete. Course winner Kate Ill Know makes her reappearance debuting for a new yard and likes testing ground while Eddies Pride reverts from chasing but is a 19-race maiden over hurdles. Bite That, a half-brother to Might Bite, has won just once from 24 runs while four-year-old Cornmarket seemed to improve a little at Wexford and again runs on heavy. Pana To Milan reverts from chasing having run well at Tramore.
Prediction : 1st Kitsilano 2nd Kopon 3rd Kate Ill Know

CAPTAINS NEPHEW previously won a course maiden hurdle by 18 lengths and drops in grade having been beaten exactly 21 lengths on three of his last four runs. Highly-tried in five of six runs since his February course success, he today makes his handicap chase debut rated 5lb lower in this sphere than over hurdles. Chosen Diamond won on Naas chase debut last month and while 9lb higher, might continue to progress. He previously failed to win in 11 hurdles but appears better in this sphere. Course winner Midnight It Is finished 12 lengths fourth in that Naas race but being 9lb better off, should compete. Time Marches On returned to form when winning at Cork and while raised 6lb, is suited by conditions. Danny The Fence remains slightly unexposed having won at Fairyhouse but makes his chase debut over an inadequate looking distance. Lovely Reaction and 16-race maiden Mac's Xpress are each useful but have tough tasks on respective chase debuts.
Prediction : 1st Captains Nephew 2nd Chosen Diamond 3rd Midnight It Is

It isn't ideal that ASK ANYTHING drops in distance for his chasing debut but heavy ground will ensure a stamina test. A point-to-point winner, he was unplaced in three hot bumpers before winning in October and running well at Navan. He might progress a little further than his 115 hurdle-rating and likes testing conditions. Henn See fell at the second-last in last year's renewal but this year brings race-fitness, having run well enough at Wexford. A strong traveller, he remains vulnerable to lesser exposed types but should run well. Ideal Du Tabert was rated 114 over hurdles but faded late-on on chase debut at Cork recently while Jet Setting Johnny was beaten 25 lengths on chase debut recently. Takarengo is frustrating while Mighty Mo Missouri was well behind the selection at Wexford.
Prediction : 1st Ask Anything 2nd Henn See 3rd Ideal Du Tabert