UK Horse Racing Tips: Clonmel

LADY ROSE HACKETT makes her reappearance, but has already shown form on similar ground to what she is likely to encounter here and contests a winnable race. Her dam finished third in a Supreme Novices' Hurdle and while she herself won on point-to-point debut before disappointing slightly in a bumper, ran better over hurdles in May. The winner, who scored again subsequently, runner-up and fourth-placed horse from that Tipperary race had all previously won bumpers. Brave Fortune has shown promise on occasions and is race-fit, but disappointed at Kilbeggan in May and was also well enough held at Listowel in September. Charlie's Dilemma has been running consistently well on similar ground over middle-to-staying distances and again has strong place claims.
Prediction : 1st Lady Rose Hackett 2nd Brave Fortune 3rd Charlies Dilemma

HERBIES ROVER has shown nice ability in two recent runs and has a light weight under his 5lb claimer. He raced too keenly when running well at Listowel in September and bumped into a promising winner in a useful race at Limerick last month. Being a four-year-old, he can continue to progress and is well suited by conditions. Romany Brown was pulled up on point-to-point debut, but was supported at Fairyhouse last month when finishing third. He, too, seems to be suited by conditions, although the selection has shown slightly stronger form. Gino Bella showed promise when well backed on her bumper debut back in April, but lacks a recent run ahead of her hurdles bow.
Prediction : 1st Herbies Rover 2nd Romany Brown 3rd Gino Bella

TAG MAN has top weight but is perfectly suited by this distance and good ground. A previous course chase winner, he was well held when conceding weight to the smart Saint Sam at Cork in August but, later that month, defeated capable types at Down Royal and a reproduction would give him every chance. Donkey Years won at the 2022 Punchestown Festival but while he should remain competitive off 7lb higher than when scoring at Listowel in September, he would prefer easier ground. Tullyveery Lad was beaten by a nicely-in winner at Limerick last month and should again compete, while the reappearing Tranquil Sea is just a four-year-old so might progress some more.
Prediction : 1st Tag Man 2nd Donkey Years 3rd Tullyveery Lad

ALLEGORIE DE VASSY is a capable mare who won this last year. Unusually, she won her initial two chase runs in Grade 2 races before finishing second in the 2023 Mares' Chase at Cheltenham and while a fraction below that level last term, nonetheless is smart on her day and will be ready. Triple Listed-winning hurdler Shecouldbeanything landed a Grade 3 chase last month before scoring here a fortnight ago. She, too, is smart but might struggle to beat an on-song selection. Must Be Obeyed receives weight from her principal rivals and while she was having her second run in three days when finishing ahead of a below-par Allegorie De Vassy at the Punchestown Festival in May, she would prefer easier ground.
Prediction : 1st Allegorie De Vassy 2nd Shecouldbeanything 3rd Must Be Obeyed

SAINT SAM is likely to adopt forcing tactics and could stretch his rivals. He was in good humour over flights in August and September as he posted victories in Cork and Auteuil respectively. This drying ground won't inconvenience him at all. It is three years since Fakir D'oudairies won this race and he is is advantaged by the weights on this occasion. A return to a small field gives him every chance of resuming winning ways. He would prefer a bit more juice in the ground, though. Solness has a decent win ratio and is dangerous on the back of a handicap chase win at Listowel and a hurdle success in Sligo.
Prediction : 1st Saint Sam 2nd Fakir DOudairies 3rd Solness

LE GRAND VERT appeals on this drop in trip. He was outgunned in second over further on his latest start in this discipline at Sligo in October, but he travelled notably well on that good ground. Jockey Alex Harvey is getting a tune from Bite That as the pair took the runner-up berth at Gowran Park and at this track last month. This is a step up in trip from those races, but he does have a placed effort in the book over a similar distance at Wexford. Crowsatedappletart is eminently capable on a going day and a big run wouldn't be surprising, while C'est Rien and Game And Glory are others to consider.
Prediction : 1st Le Grand Vert 2nd Bite That 3rd Crowsatedappletart

RELIEVED OF DUTIES won a Loughanmore point-to-point by six lengths on drying ground and may prove to be a more than useful track performer for Gordon Elliott. He looks the one to beat. Patrick Mullins comes in for the ride on Colonel Nelson who was a fair fourth in a Punchestown maiden hurdle last month. This Mount Nelson gelding gets first-time cheekpieces. Mic Drop is another winner between the flags and showed potential in third on bumper debut at Tipperary. He wasn't at his best when next seen in a remote fourth at Wexford in May, but has had a break since then and should be in the mix for a cheque.
Prediction : 1st Relieved Of Duties 2nd Colonel Nelson 3rd Mic Drop