UK Horse Racing Tips: Sligo

GERS GIGI took the honours in a mares' bumper at Downpatrick in June and was promoted to first in a maiden hurdle at Wexford after being bumped, only to lose it on appeal. This Flemensfirth mare was placed in her other three outings. Rain-softened ground is an unknown, but it is usually a positive for progeny of her sire. Blacksmiths Forge showed good resolution to win a Downpatrick bumper on debut. She is sent straight over hurdles now and is interesting. Love Like This couldn't land a blow behind an easy winner over further at this track but was clear of the remainder, while Spanish Maid and Cathryns Ruby could be best of the rest.
Prediction : 1st Gers Gigi 2nd Blacksmiths Forge 3rd Love Like This

BENJIS BENEFIT's fifth in a higher grade at Punchestown in May reads well in the context of this race. The top-weight gets first-time cheekpieces and can make his presence felt. Breagagh is a long-standing maiden but if he reproduces his Wexford effort in May, he would have every chance of getting off the mark. He was just collared close home, going down by a neck, and has been freshened up since. Kilbride Hill's introduction to handicapping couldn't have gone better as he won at this venue just under a fortnight ago. He should be in contention off 7lb higher. Verbal Sparring, who won at this track on his penultimate start, is another to consider.
Prediction : 1st Benjis Benefit 2nd Breagagh 3rd Kilbride Hill

MY GREAT MATE's form entitles him to maximum respect. This Jukebox Jury gelding won two bumpers for Willie Mullins and his placed hurdle form is solid. The horse that beat him in Punchestown went on to score in a novice hurdle at the Galway Festival. My Great Mate was then outgunned over further when third at Galway. Midleton Rare hasn't been at his best over hurdles on better ground, but he won a Fairyhouse bumper by 10 lengths on soft ground last October so could show up well. Our Shane has switched to John McConnell for his track career after two victories between the flags, while Nemo is a potential improver.
Prediction : 1st My Great Mate 2nd Midleton Rare 3rd Our Shane

There are ground concerns over several of these, so EVANS SECRET might be the safest choice for local trainer Mark McNiff. He has been placed in his last couple of handicap hurdles and showed that he could handle rain-softened ground when not beaten far into sixth on the Flat at Galway last autumn. The form of Shesabreeze's third at Clonmel in May has been franked, while Bella Be Good showed much more when runner-up in Wexford. She wouldn't want the ground too soft, though.
Prediction : 1st Evans Secret 2nd Shesabreeze 3rd Bella Be Good

A stumble at the the second-last flight did MORRICONE no favours at Galway, but he still finished third. He has banked two handicap hurdles at Punchestown this year and loves plenty of cut in the ground, which he is due to encounter again. Bottom-weight Moulane West is no forlorn hope. He has been placed in two of his last three races over flights, including at this track in June. Top-weight Luminous Light also has the ability to get involved, while Riyami's staying-on second in a Flat handicap at Leopardstown confirmed his well-being.
Prediction : 1st Morricone 2nd Moulane West 3rd Luminous Light

GINNETS GIRL has to have a shout dropped into this company. She was mid-division in Galway and fifth at Kilbeggan in much higher grades. She has a good record in Sligo, with a bumper victory and a runner-up finish in a maiden hurdle here. Safran Et Bleu is holding his form well, with two victories in his last four races, although that form is all on decent ground so he does come with risks on this slower surface. Broken Ice is more accustomed to chasing in recent years, but his form in that discipline gives him a chance if he puts his best foot forward over the smaller obstacles.
Prediction : 1st Ginnets Girl 2nd Safran Et Bleu 3rd Broken Ice

BONNEBOSQ showed marked improvement on his fifth start when runner-up in Galway and has the opportunity to go one better for Denis Hogan. Willie Mullins has landed three of the last five renewals of this race and his newcomer Cool Brise could be another for him. This filly is a half-sister to a bumper and hurdle winner and will get a good steer from Jody Townend. High Court Cave was a couple of places and almost five lengths behind Bonnebosq in fourth at Galway, but could progress from that track debut. He is a point-to-point winner and represents a shrewd stable.
Prediction : 1st Bonnebosq 2nd Cool Brise 3rd High Court Cave