UK Horse Racing Tips: Dundalk

JAAFEL can add to James McAuley's great record in claimers at this venue. The Dark Angel gelding beat Banana Tree by four lengths over an extended 10 furlongs this autumn and holds stablemate Autocrat on running behind Luke Short over C&D. The selection hasn't matched that form on both outings since but should appreciate the drop to this grade. Banana Tree has built up a sequence of runner-up places, including behind the well-bred Saturn over this trip a fortnight ago. Pachmena won here three years ago and bridged a long losing run when taking a lady riders' handicap over this trip at the Curragh in October. Inigo Jones held a career-high rating of 94 and was successful in Bahrain last winter for Jamie Osborne, while Neandra is another making her Irish debut having won twice for Andrew Balding, including over this trip at Lingfield.
Prediction : 1st Jaafel 2nd Banana Three 3rd Pachmena

MASONBROOK MEADOW made a pleasing debut over the minimum trip at Naas back in July and should appreciate this drop back in trip following a couple of handicap outings. She didn't enjoy the clearest of runs over seven furlongs and, last time, looked a big threat early in the straight before finding a mile too far. Relentless Flyer has progressed in four starts, including when beaten less than two lengths on her handicap debut here last month, and has since changed hands from Joseph O'Brien to the Hartys for just 1,500 euros. Cool Dan showed promise for Ger Lyons, including when second here in a claimer, while Victor's Choice may find this a bit sharp after finishing well over longer distances.
Prediction : 1st Masonbrook Meadow 2nd Relentless Flyer 3rd Cool Dan

BILLBOA made a pleasing debut when third to Almendares over C&D back in March and again showed a preference for this surface when putting some modest turf runs behind him on his return to the Polytrack last month. The Willie Browne-trained gelding was heavily supported when beating all bar Maggie McGrath and losses may now be recovered. Cross Border is an obvious threat but has been proving expensive to follow and was odds-on when beaten nearly three lengths by Never Cry Never here last month. Eddie Lynam's charge is closely matched with Loma Larnee on running behind Smullen's Pride at Down Royal, while Local Girl had Hokusai two lengths behind when runner-up to the progressive Pier Pressure here last month.
Prediction : 1st Billboa 2nd Cross Border 3rd Local Girl

PERRETTI cost 180,000 euros as a yearling at the Goffs Orby Sale and the well-bred son of Lope De Vega had Zenato behind when keeping on nicely into third behind Taraj on debut over a mile here last month. He should learn plenty from that experience and can cope with the drop back in trip. Similar sentiments apply to McVay, who makes a quick reappearance having also shaped well on debut here over a mile last Friday in the maiden won by Raknah. Genesis is one to keep a close eye on in the market as his half-brother Dandy Warhol made a successful debut here last year for the same connections. Bruce Lightning had Exceeding and Rebelsontherun both behind when runner-up to Seti over C&D a fortnight ago.
Prediction : 1st Perretti 2nd McVay 3rd Genesis

JAMES HENRY deserves a chance of luck. The Leanne Breen-trained gelding has filled the runner-up spot on six occasions, including his latest three starts at this venue. He was beaten a head by El Bello over C&D last month and didn't enjoy the clearest of passages when again narrowly denied by Theriverrunsdeep last Wednesday. Bucky Larson, a seven-time winner, including three at this venue, has dropped significantly in the ratings since being claimed out of Ger Lyons' yard just over a year ago, but has been consistent since returning to the Polytrack and beat all bar Gobi Star last time. Rattletheonionbag is another to consider after three maiden runs, while Morning Approach returned to form here last time and Jack Kearney claims a valuable 5lb.
Prediction : 1st James Henry 2nd Bucky Larson 3rd Rattletheonionbag

DROMANTINE won a nursery over C&D just before Christmas last year and has been given a chance by the handicapper. The Conyngham Lodge-trained filly has shaped quite well since returning here this autumn and was only beaten about a length when fifth last time over a mile. Chica Power is well suited by this trip, having won three times over C&D, and again ran well in a claimer last Wednesday, while Leopardstown maiden winner River Derwent took advantage of a major drop in the ratings this year when beating James Henry here last month. The Bog Bank is a model of consistency at this venue and while she's done all her winning over a mile, looks sure to again give a good account.
Prediction : 1st Dromantine 2nd River Derwent 3rd Chica Power

The trainer's daughter Ciara Flynn gets a good tune out of POWER DRIVE at this venue and the veteran gelding appears on an attractive mark as he bids for a sixth course win. The eight-year-old ran a cracker on his return to this venue last month when a length third to Rhythm And Tyne, and the form of that race has worked out well since. Keilah is closely matched with the selection on that run and merits serious consideration with scope for further improvement. Katonah has been placed on varying ground conditions, including in deep ground at Galway last time, and it will be interesting to see how she copes with this surface. Breagagh and Slieve Bearnagh are others to consider.
Prediction : 1st Power Drive 2nd Keilah 3rd Katonah

A tightly-knit handicap, with a number of form lines linked around recent dual course winner Rhythm And Tyne, and OLD PECULIER may come out on top. The Mark Fahey-trained gelding had Hinemoa just behind when a close fifth last month and again went close over C&D last time, when only headed close home by Oakley. The application of blinkers may help to get the job done. Hinemoa had Doctor Grace, a C&D winner last month, a length behind when they filled the places here earlier this month. Streetscape advertised his chance when third in that race won by Doctor Grace, while Flier, Dark Street and handicap debutant Marians Gal are others to consider.
Prediction : 1st Old Peculier 2nd Hinemoa 3rd Streetscape