UK Horse Racing Tips: Roscommon

LE COQ HARDI appreciated better ground when getting off the mark on his second start over hurdles at Down Royal on the first day of the new season. The Youmzain gelding had been off over five months so is entitled to come again for that run and his staying-on third in a point-to-point suggests that stepping up half a mile in trip should play to his strengths. Golden Temple was a facile winner of a Downpatrick handicap last month in reapplied headgear. He has been penalised accordingly but ground conditions will suit. Point winner Going Live has been handed a stiff-looking mark after making a winning debut under Rules at Downpatrick but his prospects are enhanced by Carl Millar's valuable claim.
Prediction : 1st Le Coq Hardi 2nd Golden Temple 3rd Going Live

Successful around a similar circuit at Ballinrobe on chasing debut, MAGNOR GLORY may be best equipped for this test of speed. Terence O'Brien's useful handicap hurdler was returning from 10 months off when victorious at the Mayo venue and ground conditions should be ideal for the eight-year-old. Horantzau D'airy is rated just a couple of pounds inferior to the selection over hurdles and had Je T'ai Porte back in third when winning on chase debut at Leopardstown. The ground was again testing when he followed up over 2m4f at Clonmel but he has form on a sound surface. Dreal Deal was beaten in a Cartmel handicap last time but had impressed over this trip at Wexford on his previous start.
Prediction : 1st Magnor Glory 2nd Horantzau Dairy 3rd Dreal Deal

Gordon Elliott can win yet another National, with HURRICANE GEORGIE fancied to defy top-weight under the excellent Carl Millar. Successful at Limerick on her most recent start, the former Midlands National winner can race off her lowest mark in two years, once taking her jockeys 7lb claim into account. A proven stayer, who enjoys going right-handed, the mare has plenty in her favour. Gold Bullion is a lightly-raced chaser who is open to further progression over fences this season and his trainer Henry De Bromhead has been amongst the winners of late. Hascoeur Clermont shaped better when fifth at Killarney last time, so also has to be respected for Gavin Cromwell.
Prediction : 1st Hurricane Georgie 2nd Gold Bullion 3rd Hascoeur Clermont

The Paul Flynn-trained RIGHTFOLKSPLEASE should be hard to beat having just been denied in a similar grade at Wexford last month. With the third horse going on to win subsequently, that form has a strong look to it. A lightly-raced son of Policy Maker, the seven-year-old holds leading claims. Glas Acres also ran very well at Wexford on his most recent start, when finishing well to take fourth late on. Collateral form gives him something to find with the selection but he could have scope for improvement after just six starts. Chosen Shant has been a consistent sort in these races of late, so the eight-year-old mare must also hold every chance for trainer Ciaran Murphy.
Prediction : 1st Rightfolksplease 2nd Glas Acres 3rd Chosen Shant

Provided that he jumps more fluently than on his recent hurdling debut, the Paul Nolan-trained TYSON can get off the mark. Having his first ever run of any description, the Lord Of England gelding overcame some novicey mistakes to finish a commendable fifth of 14. With the benefit of that experience, he could be an altogether different proposition now. Halla Paroiste has shaped with promise in mid-division on both runs over flights to date. Although there is the obvious possibility that he will do better in handicaps, this doesn't look a particularly strong race for the grade. Similar comments apply to the Bill Durkan-trained Lope De Light.
Prediction : 1st Tyson 2nd Halla Paroiste 3rd Lope De Light

Punchestown runner-up STEPS IN THE SAND can go one better here for trainer Cian Collins. A dual winner on the all-weather on the Flat, the five-year-old showed her first worthwhile form on a grass surface when keeping on strongly for minor honours at the County Kildare venue last time. Dropping in grade here, the mare should have every chance. Listowel fourth Tipp For Mac has run well on both occasions since returning from a break and he is a horse that is best suited to decent underfoot conditions. No Big Deal ran his best race to date when seventh over hurdles at Naas in April and while failed to back that up in a subsequent run on the Flat, he could be worth another chance now.
Prediction : 1st Steps In The Sand 2nd Tipp For Mac 3rd No Big Deal

Five-time winner UNION PARK won his previous hurdle race and is nonetheless rated 13lb lower in this sphere than over fences. Ideally suited by this distance and good ground, he was brought down on his latest outing but had previously run well over fences in January and while 9lb higher than when winning over hurdles in November, today's rider claims 3lb and he is a reliable type. Kiltealy Park won easily at Wexford last month and while she is open to further progression, is 10lb higher and tackles a tougher race. Four-year-old Open To Question is already a dual hurdle winner but steps up to this distance for the first time and also meets open horses for the first time.
Prediction : 1st Union Park 2nd Kiltealy Park 3rd Open To Question

MINELLA HOLLOW looked quite capable when winning a bumper 13 days ago, with the second and fourth-placed horses having both previously been placed. A half-brother to three winners, he was green at Ballinrobe but finished his race well and with improvement likely, might defy top weight. Ballyburn's half-sister Churchfield Sunset was also green when winning well on debut at Cork. She has an excellent pedigree and should also improve with racing. Dramatic License is out of a bumper-winning half-sister to Altior, carries the colours of leading owners and it is also encouraging to see him debut as a four-year-old. Bowensonfire cost 88,000 euros last year and is a half-brother to his trainer's dual winner Rainbow Trail.
Prediction : 1st Minella Hollow 2nd Churchfield Sunset 3rd Dramatic License