UK Horse Racing Tips: Dundalk

MORSE made a pleasing debut behind Mohawk Chief in an 18-runner Leopardstown maiden last autumn, especially considering he lost ground after getting upset in the stalls and also didn't enjoy a clear run early in the straight. The Charles Weld-trained gelding further enhanced his claims when third to market leaders Squire Danagher and Carlo Bianconi here a fortnight ago, and the drop back to a mile should suit. There is little to choose between Gioiella and Lauroline on running behind Beauty Bella over C&D recently, while Charlie Brow'n finished well over 7f here last month. Jupiter Rock reverts from hurdles and showed some promise for Joseph O'Brien on the Flat last year.
Prediction : 1st Morse 2nd Gioiella 3rd Charlie Brown

CIRCUS ACT was having her first Flat start in over a year when beaten half a length by Honketonk Angel over C&D in November and the James Nash-trained mare, who had to race alone towards the far side inside the final furlong, can reverse the places on these revised terms. She went close on her only subsequent start when just failing to peg back American Money over hurdles at Naas last month. Secret Rock kept on well to justify good support over 1m4f here last month, while Riyami and Ellaat are two other dual-purpose geldings to consider. The second reserve Gains Of War had a number of these rivals behind when scoring over C&D last month, including Alex The Great, Crystal Caves and Honketonk Angel, who were close up in third, fifth and sixth respectively.
Prediction : 1st Circus Act 2nd Secret Rock 3rd Riyami

HERO OF THE HOUR won three times over C&D early last year and has been generally consistent this winter, dropping down to an attractive mark. The seven-year-old gelding didn't have much luck in running last time over 7f and hopefully there is enough pace on to set him up for a strong finish. Phil's Dream caused a 50/1 shock when getting up on the line to pip the admirably consistent Below Deck over the minimum trip last month, with a number of these rivals including No Speed Limit, who stumbled leaving the stalls, further behind. No Speed Limit had Jazzy Dancer a length back in third when narrowly denied previously over this trip, but both need to overcome wide draws here.
Prediction : 1st Hero Of The Hour 2nd No Speed Limit 3rd Jazzy Dancer

POSH MAISIE was slowly away on debut and showed her inexperience before keeping on one-paced in the straight in the race won by Perfect Judgement here last month. That 6f event has been working out quite well since and with the benefit of that run and this extra furlong, she should put up a bold show. Pepper Noir had a couple of these behind when showing promise on debut just before Christmas and then beat all bar hotpot Nerano over a mile earlier this month. Mm Dragonfly was noted keeping on in mid-division on debut over a mile last month and looks sure to progress from that experience, while Andalusian Star is another who could take a big step forward from her debut at Leopardstown last summer. Any market move for Varly would be interesting.
Prediction : 1st Posh Maisie 2nd Pepper Noir 3rd Andalusian Star

A disappointing turnout of just three runners for this three-year-old handicap and BEAUTIFUL DAWN may prove difficult to beat. The Joseph O'Brien-trained filly took a nice step forward from her debut over 6f to justify favouritism in a mile maiden here last month. The daughter of Starspangledbanner was prominent throughout to win with a bit in hand and shouldn't be inconvenienced by this drop back in distance. Blue Soul has probably shown her best form over this C&D, including when a close third to Enchanted Garden in a handicap on her penultimate outing. Rebelsontherun also showed some promise here over 7f when keeping on behind Seti, but may not have appreciated cheekpieces when ridden more prominently last time.
Prediction : 1st Beautiful Dawn 2nd Blue Soul 3rd Rebelsontherun

HINEMOA won twice over C&D early last year and has given encouragement that she can add to that tally here this winter. The lightly-raced eight-year-old was just denied by Rhythm And Tyne in December and kept on behind Secret Rock last time. Anjah is still a maiden after 28 starts, but merits respect on his second to Satono Chevalier in this corresponding race 12 months ago and has shaped well on both starts this winter. Darkened had Neddies Boy a length and a half behind when runner-up to Sky Legend over an extended 10 furlongs last month and both horses have been claimed into different yards since. Alphonse Le Grande, Curious Bride and Nusra are others to consider.
Prediction : 1st Hinemoa 2nd Anjah 3rd Neddies Boy

ST CIANANS FIRE won three times in the space of 10 weeks for John McConnell, including twice at this venue, back in 2022 and the six-year-old gelding made a bright start for Shane Crawley over C&D last month when beating all bar Secret Rock. Wishes And Dreams is an obvious threat following a series of placed efforts since sent handicapping here this winter. She makes a quick reappearance after only going down by a neck to the selection's well-backed stablemate Dreams Fled Away last Friday. Five-time course winner Power Drive normally sets the pace, but was patiently ridden when staying on well behind Together Acclaim earlier this month. Others for the shortlist include Gracesolution and Kiwi Kiss.
Prediction : 1st St Cianans Fire 2nd Wishes And Dreams 3rd Power Drive

EMERIC won twice over C&D last spring and was also on the mark over a mile at Leopardstown in July. The Paul Flynn-trained gelding has returned to the Polytrack this winter and had a number of these rivals behind when third to Unterberg a fortnight ago. Yokkell has done well since joining John McConnell last autumn, winning twice at this venue, and despite a combined rise of 10lb in the ratings, filled the runner-up spot behind War Correspondent earlier this month. Roman Bull was second a couple of times here last spring and also won over 1m4f in July. It will be interesting to see how strong he is in the market after a seven-month break, while Garrick Painter won over C&D on his penultimate start.
Prediction : 1st Emeric 2nd Yokkell 3rd Roman Bull