UK Horse Racing Tips: Dundalk

MORAL TURPITUDE was conceding 13lb when narrowly beaten by Scorchio in a C&D nursery in October before making all to win a maiden by six lengths next time. The daughter of Raven's Pass was smartly away on the latter occasion and could be hard to peg back if breaking similarly well. Scorchio gained a second nursery victory here last month and is capable of further improvement but may find the selection too strong this time at level weights. Francis Meynell handled a little ease in the ground when making all on debut at Naas but was said to have found conditions too soft when failing to beat a rival in a Group 2 at Doncaster. It's easy to forgive that but he has to give the selection 10lb. Tarsus sprang a 66/1 shock in a maiden last week but has more to do in this company.
Prediction : 1st Moral Turpitude 2nd Francis Meynell 3rd Scorchio

Michael O'Callaghan always knows what he has on his hands and the fact that STEP IT OUT was heavily backed into favouritism when second on debut here last month augurs well for her prospects of going one better on her return to Dundalk. Beaten by a gelding also making his debut then, the daughter of Inns Of Court can regain losses in fillies only company. Sweet Delta Dawn, from a family of dirt performers in North America, had 21 rivals behind when second to a subsequent stakes-winning colt at the Curragh in August. She steps up a furlong and it's interesting that she comes here after a break rather than being put away until the turf racing returns. Clarita was placed for the third time when touched off over 6f here a fortnight ago and may again have to settle for minor honours. Labhaoise, by Phoenix Of Spain, represents a yard which does well here while Buckhead Betty, a second runner for Joseph O'Brien, cost 100,000 pounds as a yearling and is a half-sister to an all-weather winner.
Prediction : 1st Step It Out 2nd Sweet Delta Dawn 3rd Clarita

SWAN BAND has run well on both starts over C&D including when runner-up, with Nituna back in fifth, two weeks ago. Sent off favourite, the daughter of Awtaad had no excuses when beaten by four lengths but the well-exposed winner did seem to show improved form. Galileo filly Dawn Rider took a nice step forward from her debut when second over a longer trip last week. She kept battling away in genuine fashion and is a big player but might just be vulnerable dropping back almost three furlongs. Mooretown Lad, whose classy brother I Am Superman won readily here last week, was three lengths behind the selection last month when both horses were making their second starts and is from a family that improve with racing. State Actor is out of a half-sister to Dewhurst winner War Command and is a newcomer to keep an eye on.
Prediction : 1st Swan Band 2nd Dawn Rider 3rd Mooretown Lad

FEATURE THIS has a cracking record over C&D and went close to a fourth win of the year three weeks ago. Paul Flynn's filly went down by just a head to an unexposed rival and should be in with every chance again off a 2lb higher mark. Monzoon has returned to form in claimers here recently, winning easily on his final start for Ross O'Sullivan and just failing over 7f last week. He has since moved stables again and has a wide draw to overcome for his Donegal connections. International Lady had a couple of near misses over 7f during a busy spell in early November and has been freshened up while Calum Hogan is an interesting booking for three-time winner Run The Jewels who was a disappointing favourite here last time but is capable of better. The maiden Roman Palace ran two solid races over C&D last month and is well drawn.
Prediction : 1st Feature This 2nd Monzoon 3rd Roman Palace

Three-year-old NIBRAS RAINBOW returned to form over course and distance last week and should compete from 2lb higher. Ideally suited by a mile on fast or all-weather surfaces, he again competes from a winnable rating and looks sure to run well. Comfort Line's rating dropped 27lb in 2023 before winning over C&D last week. He had previously been well beaten in two claimers in recent months but should run well from 5lb higher than last week's rating. Six-time winner Indiana Grey is consistent, suited by conditions and has been running competitively from her rating recently. Chummie had been lightly-raced in recent times and is effectively 4lb higher than when winning over C&D in November.
Prediction : 1st Nibras Rainbow 2nd Comfort Line 3rd Indiana Grey

DAAMBERDIPLOMAT was unlucky having been snatched-up late-on when finishing third over course and distance in November. A Curragh juvenile maiden winner and once rated 96, that mark has recently fallen, he is ideally suited by this C&D and can turn November form with Volatile Analyst, being 4lb better off. Both Ostraka, which finished sixth, and Jered Maddox, in seventh, weren't beaten far in that race with Dontspoilasale (12th) and Petit Calvados (13th) being well held. Eight-time winner Inishmot Prince is in excellent form but competes from a career high mark. Gobi Star similarly competes from a career-high mark chasing a hat-trick and while his recent wins have been over seven furlongs. has won at this distance. Collective Power hasn't run on the all-weather since defeating Jered Maddox to win here in April and with his rating dropping 2lb, should compete under Colin Keane. Stablemate Marsa has an excellent all-weather record but lacks a run and while she won at this distance as a juvenile, would prefer seven furlongs. Dontspoilasale's best form is over five furlongs.
Prediction : 1st Daamberdiplomat 2nd Volatile Analyst 3rd Collective Power

ZIG ZAG ZYGGY was rated 85 in 2021 and while no longer at that level, ran well over C&D recently. He ended a long losing spell when winning in July and while only one of his seven wins have come on the all-weather, competes from the same mark as nine days ago with today's rider claiming 5lb. Three-year-old Senado Square has already raced against 10 of today's 16 declared opponents. A heavy-ground winner last March, he has run well here twice recently and while beaten 1.75 lengths by Theriverrunsdeep nine days ago, that run came five days after winning, he met some trouble in-running and is 2lb better off. Theriverrunsdeep is ideally suited by this distance while Hero Of The Our was well held here last month but is a three-time C&D winner. Another C&D winner Un Bacio Ancora was well beaten on two recent runs while Poet's Pride finished fourth behind the selection over C&D nine days ago. My Girl Sioux is a 17-race maiden while Shaaden drops in distance having shown some promise on Irish debut.
Prediction : 1st Zig Zag Zyggy 2nd Senado Square 3rd Theriverrunsdeep

Recent course maiden winner PITTSFORD might be suited by stepping up slightly in distance for his handicap debut. His sire Ulysses' progeny like middle distances, with a half-brother winning a French Group 3 winner over 1m3f and being race-fit, is likely to compete from his rating. Oakley was dropping in distance when winning here in November but his prior German form was over staying distances, which suggests he should also compete, despite being 4lb higher. Miss Paloma managed to overcome a 773 days absence to win last month and while she too steps up in distance, has form at this trip although is 6lb higher. Yokkell is 3lb higher than when also wining over a slightly shorter trip recently (Giselles Defence finished third) but remains a fraction unexposed on the all-weather. In-form Celtic Revival drops in distance but is well suited by 12 furlongs.
Prediction : 1st Pittsford 2nd Oakley 3rd Yokkell