UK Horse Racing Tips: Cork

PIRATE ISLAND has to prove his stamina over this distance but if doing so, the Philip Fenton-trained six-year-old holds strong claims. The Soldier Of Fortune gelding was placed in three maidens prior to gaining valuable handicap experience at Gowran Park last time. Now reverting back into maiden company, he should prove too good for these. Limerick runner-up Mickie Angel has at least proven his effectiveness over the trip, so that in itself should see Denis Hogan's gelding play a leading role. He does look vulnerable to an improver, but there doesn't appear to be much strength in depth in this race. Arion Soldier steps up a mile here, but would certainly enter calculations if he gets the distance. Twice hampered at Thurles earlier this month, the six-year-old stayed on in eyecatching fashion to finish third.
Prediction : 1st Pirate Island 2nd Mickie Angel 3rd Arion Soldier

Although yet to win over hurdles, THE BANGER DOYLE is very well handicapped relative to his chase and Flat marks. With the John Queally-trained eight-year-old having run one of his better races in this discipline when third here before Christmas, it has to be encouraging that connections return to Cork. Having shown some of his best form on testing ground, conditions look set to favour the son of Windsor Knot. Ricky Bobby finished one place ahead of The Banger Doyle in the aforementioned Cork race, but was claimer-ridden on that occasion. At the revised weights, Tim Doyle's gelding has some work to do. Mercury Mission needs to improve, but has been racing in much stronger company so could be seen in a better light now he faces an easier task.
Prediction : 1st The Banger Doyle 2nd Ricky Bobby 3rd Mercury Mission

Most of these have been racing over further of late, so much depends on who copes best with the drop in trip. Top-weight TAKE ALL is usually a sound jumper who tends to race up with the pace or make the running. With Shane Fenelon taking 7lb off his back, the Shark Hanlon-trained nine-year-old can race off a mark 6lb below the one he won off at Wexford last July. Donacheady Gale has to be of interest on just his third run back after a long absence. The John Ryan-trained gelding is very lightly raced so remains open to further improvement over fences. Dual hurdles winner Marelly has yet to shine since switching trainers and being sent chasing. However, he is undoubtedly well handicapped if retaining ability.
Prediction : 1st Take All 2nd Donacheady Gale 3rd Marelly

Recent Borris House winner NATIVE SONG can gain a first success under Rules. Winner of two of her three runs in point-to-points, the daughter of Fame And Glory has yet to reach the frame on the track but has time on her side. Trainer Paul Kiely has been amongst the winners of late. Aleish Lass was an easy winner of her maiden point at Aghabullogue in January before finishing third in her winner-of-one next time. Mick Winters has been sending out a few winners again in recent months, so the lightly-raced five-year-old has her chance. Dul Ar Aghaidh hasn't been in the best of form on her most recent starts, but the Liam Burke-trained mare could improve for the fitting of first-time cheekpieces here.
Prediction : 1st Native Song 2nd Aleish Lass 3rd Dul Ar Aghaidh

Runner-up in a similar race at Thurles last month, the Ross O'Sullivan-trained RYEHILL can go one better here. An impressive winner of his winner-of-one at Belharbour on his previous start, the Mahler gelding has more potential than most of these rivals. Bigbraveboy has failed to complete in three of his five point-to-point starts, but has won and finished runner-up in the other two. Granted a clear round, the Daniel Murphy-trained gelding has to have a strong place claim at the very least. Glady Max, winner of two of his last three starts, is another who will need to do things right, but he has to be a contender on his point-to-point form.
Prediction : 1st Ryehill 2nd Bigbraveboy 3rd Glady Max

LIFETIME AMBITION was a smart performer, including at Grade 1 level, for Jessica Harrington and was running off marks in the 150s as recently as last summer. He has been in good form over the winter with three wins in point-to-points and can prove too good for these rivals. Early Doors was also a very useful rules performer in his heyday and landed the Galway Plate in 2020. He's operating at a lower level nowadays but won a point-to-point in January and was second in a hunter chase over 3m1f at Gowran last time. This shorter trip should be more suitable. The West's Awake, a five-time winner over fences, is into the veteran stage but was only just behind Early Doors at Gowran having previously won a point-to-point at Lisronagh in which the selection unseated rider.
Prediction : 1st Lifetime Ambition 2nd Early Doors 3rd The Wests Awake

Any horse acquired by the ultra-shrewd Paul Byrne is of automatic interest and BACKMERSACKME is taken to make a winning start for his new connections. The son of Getaway was snapped up for 70,000 pounds at Cheltenham in December after winning his second start in point-to-points at Moig South the previous month. Colonel Nelson is a half-brother to a couple of jumps winners and made a promising start to his career when runner-up in a point-to-point at Ballycrystal in January. His trainer has handled plenty of good bumper horses over the years. Rock On Jet, related to plenty of winners, chased home the selection at Moig South and was again runner-up more recently at Ballyragget. He's another that has to come into calculations.
Prediction : 1st Backmersackme 2nd Colonel Nelson 3rd Rock On Jet

Henry de Bromhead landed this bumper with a useful type two years ago and AIR OF ENTITLEMENT looks a leading contender. The daughter of Westerner is from the family of Irish Grand National winner Rogue Angel and impressed when a wide margin winner of a Lingstown point-to-point for Colin Bowe four months ago. Gordon Elliott is another trainer who has won this race before and is represented by Ocean Brew. Also by Westerner and a half-sister to the smart Eric Bloodaxe, she had to work hard to land a point-to-point at Tyrella in early March but is open to improvement. Ma Bess, fitted with a hood for the first time, has the advantage of plenty of bumper experience. Runner-up twice and fourth in a Listed contest at Gowran in the autumn, she'll be fitter for a recent comeback outing in a point-to-point.
Prediction : 1st Air Of Entitlement 2nd Ocean Brew 3rd Ma Bess