UK Horse Racing Tips: Clonmel

JASMIN DE COTTE, runner-up in his only point-to-point at Monksgrange last March, can make a winning debut over fences. Although a distant third was the geldings best placing from four runs over hurdles, he was always likely to make a better chaser. Paul Nolan has opted to apply a first-time hood on the five-year-old here. Tempo Chapter Two has dropped a long way in the handicap since his days with Willie Mullins but is still relatively unexposed as a chaser. He has yet to trouble the judge on two runs for Paul Flynn but has plenty of experience which should be an asset in this company. Wee Charlie is another capable of getting involved for recent Irish Grand National winning trainer Thomas Gibney.
Prediction : 1st Jasmin De Cotte 2nd Tempo Chapter Two 3rd Wee Charlie

Third on all three runs over fences to date, the Willie Mullins-trained SPANISH HARLEM can step up a couple of places here. A winner when trained in France, the six-year-old has yet to get his head in front since arriving on these shores but this looks a nice opportunity to rectify that. A course winner over hurdles, Gaelic Arc rates a danger for trainer John Ryan. Thrice successful in a short career to date, the eight-year-old has a long absence to overcome but should be forward enough for this assignment. Duffle Coat rather lost his way after winning the first four starts of his career but the Gordon Elliott-trained seven-year-old has finished runner-up on two occasions of late so appears to be returning to form.
Prediction : 1st Spanish Harlem 2nd Gaelic Arc 3rd Duffle Coat

A winner over the minimum trip here last month, MICK CHARLIE should have no difficulty stepping up almost a mile in distance. Having already won over further as a hurdler, he looks particularly well treated from a 10lb lower mark in this discipline. Tangental is another horse whose chase rating appears exploitable relative to his hurdling one. However, with just the two starts over fences thus far, the Colm Murphy-trained eight-year-old does have to prove that he is equally as effective as a chaser. Having sent out an impressive winner at Cork on Monday, Killarney trainer Eamon Courtney clearly has his string in good health. With that in mind, it would come as no surprise to see Da Big Fella improve on recent efforts.
Prediction : 1st Mick Charlie 2nd Tangental 3rd Da Big Fella

MAROTO is almost certainly capable of better than he has shown to date, so in an ordinary contest the Willie Mullins-trained seven-year-old gets the vote. Jumping mistakes have blighted the geldings short career to date but if putting in a more proficient round this afternoon, he has to be competitive. Zulu Mike was staying on when coming to grief at the final flight on his racecourse debut at Thurles last month. If that fall hasn't left its mark then the Philip Rothwell-trained gelding can go close. Opposite Ends is one to monitor in the market on just his second appearance in over 500 days. Charles Byrnes is unlikely to have persevered with the son of Mahler unless he felt there were races in him.
Prediction : 1st Maroto 2nd Zulu Mike 3rd Opposite Ends

Bumper winner LADY BLUEBIRD has to concede weight to all but one of her rivals but the seven-year-old looks capable of doing just that. The daughter of Retirement Plan showed enough on her recent hurdling debut to suggest she has a future over jumps. In a race where meaningful opposition looks thin on the ground, the Hugh Paul Finegan-trained mare can register a second career success. Cooltubrid Eva was well behind Lady Bluebird last time but is better off at these revised weights. A reproduction of her earlier second placing at Limerick would give her every chance. Dual bumper winner Innatendue struggled in a stronger race last time but should be far more competitive now she reverts to maiden company.
Prediction : 1st Lady Bluebird 2nd Cooltubrid Eva 3rd Innatendue

Well supported when second here before Christmas, THE BIG CLOUD can reward those who stay loyal. The Shane Crawley-trained mare went close again when third next time at Punchestown but something clearly had to be amiss when she ran no sort of race last time. That disappointing effort needs to be forgiven but the six-year-old deserves another chance. Handicap debutant King Of Cong is one to note in the market. Trainer Terence O'Brien has enjoyed a good campaign and the former point-to-point runner-up will appreciate stepping up in trip here. Lilian Bland is most likely a better chaser than hurdler but it is hard to get away from her lower handicap mark over flights. She, too, can play a part in the finish.
Prediction : 1st The Big Cloud 2nd King Of Cong 3rd Lilian Bland

BALLYGUNNER CASTLE proved no match for two stablemates on his racecourse debut at Thurles but given that the runner-up went on to finish fifth in the Cheltenham bumper time may show that to have been no disgrace. This looks a nice opportunity for the five-year-old to step forward and record a first career win. Point-to-point winner Olympy De Cerisy has also shown ability since switching to racing under rules. Placed on both outings to date, the Declan Queally-trained gelding should once again be a major contender. Bleu De Vassy finished runner-up on his sole point-to-point start before occupying a similar position on his first two outings in bumpers. The Gordon Elliott-trained gelding needs to put a slightly below par run last time behind him if he is to get competitive.
Prediction : 1st Ballygunner Castle 2nd Olympy De Cerisy 3rd Bleu De Vassy