UK Horse Racing Tips: Kilbeggan

A bumper winner at this track last month, TONAGHNEAVE WELL can make an instant impact on his hurdling debut. The Gavin Cromwell-trained gelding had shown promise on two previous starts prior to gaining that initial success. With a proven ability to act around this tight track a definite advantage, the son of Berkshire should go close if adapting to hurdles. Grann's Boy has the benefit of previous jumping experience. Harry Rogers' four-year-old ran a nice race when third at Tramore on his most recent outing under National Hunt rules. He has since occupied a similar position back on the Flat. Hasten Slowly also has to be of interest on her hurdling debut. A four-time winner on the level, the John McConnell-trained filly has been in good form of late.
Prediction : 1st Tonaghneave Well 2nd Granns Boy 3rd Hasten Slowly

The Andrew McNamara-trained LEITZEL looks to have been found a nice opportunity to register a first success over hurdles. A two-time winner on the Flat, the filly has reached the frame on all three starts since switching her attention to jumping. She was probably unlucky to bump into an above-average maiden for this time of the year when runner-up at Sligo last time. Having improved with each run to date, Moonlight Jazz has to enter calculations for Henry De Bromhead. Although the five-year-old will need to take another step forward here, he looks more than capable of doing so. The locally-trained Silent Dawn had shown little prior to finishing third over C&D last time. A reproduction of that run would make him a serious contender.
Prediction : 1st Leitzel 2nd Moonlight Jazz 3rd Silent Dawn

JUNOT had shown ability on more than one occasion prior to opening his account at Wexford. Having been raised 5lb for that narrow success, the Michael Winters-trained gelding gets another opportunity to compete in the bottom grade here. Now that he has got his head in front for the first time, the son of Make Believe could be capable of following up. Divilabother bumped into a well-handicapped mare when runner-up at Sligo on his most recent start. Prior to that, the Thomas Coyle-trained six-year-old had finished fourth in two competitive handicaps. Having just the eighth run of his career, the Markaz gelding is open to some improvement. Having run her best race to date when just beaten at Wexford last time, Ballycommon Chapel is another with leading claims.
Prediction : 1st Junot 2nd Divilabother 3rd Ballycommon Chapel

A promising fourth on stable debut last time, MAXIOS SHOW can strike on his second start for trainer Terence O'Brien. The six-year-old would have been entitled to need that first start since last July, so an improved performance would come as no great surprise. His trainer has done well with similar new recruits in recent times. A winner on the level, Sunwalk has shown a hint of ability on a couple of occasions since going jumping. Although yet to reach the frame over hurdles, the Seamus Neville-trained gelding doesn't look too badly treated when it all comes together. Top-weight Johnny M is one who should be monitored in the betting on his first start for Peter Fahey. A lightly-raced six-year-old, he has twice been placed.
Prediction : 1st Maxios Show 2nd Sunwalk 3rd Johnny M

A maiden hurdle winner over C&D earlier this month, SMILING BESS can make a winning handicap debut. Trainer Kevin Prendergast has his team in great form at present and the daughter of Mount Nelson had run well on more than one occasion prior to opening her account last time. Her opening mark of 100 looks something that can be exploited. Well backed when winning at this track last month, Mr Dibbs failed to follow that up when mid-division at Sligo. A return to this venue may well see the locally-trained five-year-old recapture his best form. Jumping Susie only got as far as the second flight at Sligo, but was a winner at Tramore on her previous start.
Prediction : 1st Smiling Bess 2nd Mr Dibbs 3rd Jumping Susie

Having clearly failed to give his true running when down the field in a competitive Listed handicap hurdle at Fairyhouse in March, NATIVE SPEAKER can make amends. Henry De Bromhead's gelding had finished runner-up on his three previous starts and the former point-to-point winner will find this easier than recent tests. Magellan Strait would be a very strong fancy if this race was run at a more galloping track but, as an out-and-out stayer, the Joseph O'Brien-trained gelding could struggle around such a tight track. Having said that, he has a real edge in terms of class. Cork runner-up Beaufort Scale is a lightly-raced five-year-old with scope for progression. He holds leading claims for the Gordon Elliott team.
Prediction : 1st Native Speaker 2nd Magellan Strait 3rd Beaufort Scale

BANJAXED makes his handicap chase debut and looks favourably enough treated. Despite having won just once in a Perth maiden hurdle in May 2023, he was a capable type in bumpers and over hurdles, and drops in grade having contested two useful chases recently. He conceded 3lb to the 137-rated runner-up of his recent Ballinrobe race and is now rated 2lb below his hurdle rating. Dual winner Ebasari is rated 4lb lower over hurdles, but ran well in a useful Wexford beginners chase recently and debuts in a handicap chase. Presenting Lad has gradually progressed in chases, wasn't beaten far at Tipperary recently, and goes back up in distance.
Prediction : 1st Banjaxed 2nd Ebasari 3rd Presenting Lad

CROWSATEDAPPLETART has returned to his best in recent runs and has obvious claims. He has won twice from 24 runs and was out of form for 12 months until last May, but his rating had fallen during that time and while well held by the winner at Tipperary, drops in grade and is suited by conditions. Finnians Row has won just once from 30 runs, but ran well in a similar race at Wexford recently. Cullenwaine was well held in two previous chase runs, but those were in unsuitably testing conditions and he has been running well over hurdles recently. Third reserve and chase debutant Gaelic Des Chastys would be a notable runner, having won on debut for current connections last month.
Prediction : 1st Crowsatedappletart 2nd Finnians Row 3rd Cullenwaine