UK Horse Racing Tips: Sligo

This looks a nice starting point for Champion Hurdle fifth COLONEL MUSTARD. Lorna Fowler's charge kept top company when reverting to hurdles last season and was last seen finishing third, albeit well beaten, behind State Man at Punchestown. Solness could be a tough rival, though, if the selection doesn't strip fit enough for his return. Joseph O'Brien's charge won a competitive handicap over fences in Listowel and is now rated 154 in that sphere. Kings Hill still has a few pounds to find on ratings, despite getting weight and Jack Gilligan taking off 7lb. He can't be ruled out, though.
Prediction : 1st Colonel Mustard 2nd Solness 3rd Kings Hill

BOWGATE STREET ran a big race at Galway on her last start and can strike now in against her own sex. The Champs Elysees mare was pipped close home by Ragmans Corner in Ballybrit 17 days ago and is capable of winning a race at this level, despite a 3lb rise. She has form on softer ground, which could prove crucial. Cleopatra's Needle won nicely when making her first start in handicap company over hurdles at Fairyhouse, but her preference for good ground would be a concern with rain forecast. Fair Damsel was a fortunate winner at Killarney last time, but sneaks in here off a mark of 102 and has to be considered as well.
Prediction : 1st Bowgate Street 2nd Cleopatras Needle 3rd Fair Damsel

ARTIC LANE has been beaten favourite in three bumpers recently, but may make the breakthrough now that he tackles hurdles. The Declan Queally-trained gelding has jumps experience, having won a point-to-point, and ran a big race in a Leopardstown bumper on his track debut last December. He hasn't quite shown that level since returning, but ran well on rain-softened ground at Listowel and slower ground may help his chances now. The Willie Mullins-trained Caman Eileen commands obvious respect, but needs to improve a bit on her showing at Ballinrobe. Newtown Rambler ran a promising race when second on his track debut at Downpatrick and is another for the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Artic Lane 2nd Caman Eileen 3rd Newtown Rambler

Dual C&D winner TRUE DESTINY may be able to bag another victory at the track. Noel Kelly's charge ran better at Limerick last time when chasing home Crowsatedappletart and is only 1lb higher. He was an easy winner of this race a couple of years ago on soft ground. Moulane West has been knocking on the door and steps back up in trip now. He could be a danger. Kilmacurkin ran really well when last seen, over fences, at Limerick in May. He could be competitive off this mark, but softer ground would be a bit of a concern.
Prediction : 1st True Destiny 2nd Moulane West 3rd Kilmacurkin

This is a drop in class for THE STORY SO FAR on his return to action and he may be worth a shot. The Westerner gelding ran in some strong maiden hurdles earlier in the year after winning a Limerick bumper last Christmas. He has a mark of 111 and that gives him a big shout in this. Great Universe is rated 1lb superior, but he needs to show more after making little impact on his return in handicap company at Listowel. Workinonadream has been knocking on the door and could be place material again. She is nicely weighted with Tiernan Power Roche taking off 7lb.
Prediction : 1st The Story So Far 2nd Workinonadream 3rd Great Universe

CROSSING THE BAR was a bit unlucky on his first outing for Cian Collins at Clonmel earlier in the month and may be able to score now. The Poet's Voice gelding was staying on well when making a blunder at the last flight and did well to finish second in the end. Stamina seems to be his forte and any rain here could help. Gladiatorial bounced back to winning ways over fences here and could be the danger. Donacheady Gale is another reverting to the smaller obstacles after a chase win and also has to come into calculations.
Prediction : 1st Crossing The Bar 2nd Gladiatorial 3rd Donacheady Gale

Gigginstown recruit BALLYBOW is interesting on his first outing for Gordon Elliott. The Flemensfirth gelding cost 110,000 pounds after finishing runner-up in two point-to-points. He bumped into subsequent three-time bumper winner Takt De Touques on his debut and was a touch unlucky next time when making a mistake at the second-last and also getting slightly hampered. Coral River has good bumper form in the book and looks the danger. He was last seen chasing home a smart-looking sort in Don'tstopthemusic at the Punchestown Festival. Supreme Ruler and Cailin Deas also have solid placed form and are others to consider.
Prediction : 1st Ballybow 2nd Coral River 3rd Supreme Ruler