UK Horse Racing Tips: Clonmel

GIANT HAYSTACKS has strong claims. Beaten 26 lengths in a Grade 3 contest on career debut last December, he has shown nice ability in recent months and having run well in a good point-to-point in October, finished nicely in a big-field handicap at Navan last month and a reproduction would give him every chance. Polly Poppins was leading but being challenged when falling at Tramore in October but has place claims while Mellem was well beaten in recent maidens hurdles but ran well in a bumper last September.
Prediction : 1st Giant Haystacks 2nd Polly Poppins 3rd Mellem

MAYOS VENDANGEUR is progressive and ran well in a better handicap last month. Her initial form was ordinary but has shown consistent ability in recent months with the form of her recent Limerick run being nicely boosted by the fifth-placed horse winning subsequently. Four-time Flat winner San Aer has frustrated in his hurdling career todate, with National Hunt distances possibly stretching him, but ran well in a similar race last month. Rated 86 when finishing sixth in the Lincoln in March, he likes testing ground so should be better suited by today's ground than at Thurles. Aboy Joey has shown nice ability in similar handicaps and has place claims.
Prediction : 1st Mayos Vendangeur 2nd San Aer 3rd Aboy Joey

SANDOR CLEGANE is closely matched with Three Card Brag on their previous meetings but is slightly less reliant on testing ground conditions than that rival. The selection finished third, and ahead of Three Card Brag, in Cheltenham's 2023 Albert Bartlett and while the score between the pair is 2-2 following four prior meetings, Sandor Clegane might hold a small edge, with each horse reverting from fences on season reappearance. Recent course-and-distance winner Plains Indian faces a tougher task today and would prefer good ground while Franciscan Rock won a recent Punchestown handicap but also steps up in grade. Recent chase winner Drumgill concedes plenty weight.
Prediction : 1st Sandor Clegane 2nd Three Card Brag 3rd Franciscan Rock

C'EST TA CHANCE showed smart ability in his bumper debut last January and has winning point-to-point experience. Narrowly defeated by a subsequently Grade 1-placed winner in that Naas race, he was subsequently well held in the Cheltenham Bumper and disappointed at Ayr in April but contests a winnable maiden today, stepping up in distance. Stablemate Jump Allen defeated a subsequent dual hurdle winner when scoring on debut at Killarney but should struggle to concede 8lb to the selection. Harry's Dream ran well at Gowran while point-to-point winner Onlymammycanloveme wears a tongue-tie on reappearance. Recent withdrawal Whatsanotheryear has been waiting such a long time for suitable ground, which until now wasn't available.
Prediction : 1st Cest Ta Chance 2nd Jump Allen 3rd Harrys Dream

KARAFON looks the pick of the Willie Mullins runners on jockey bookings and was the subject of a favourable report from the trainer in a stable tour. The fact that this French import started his Irish career off with a fifth place in a Grade 2 juvenile hurdle at Leopardstown last Christmas shows the regard he is held in. Lady Rose Hackett is going the right way in three runs for Henry de Bromhead and a first-time hood is tried on her. Karamoja is another Mullins representative and this Masked Marvel filly ought to make an impact, while Sheer Raz is well worth a market check on track debut for Gavin Cromwell. Mullins' Funiculi Funicula lurks among the reserves and would be a contender if getting a run.
Prediction : 1st Karafon 2nd Lady Rose Hackett 3rd Karamoja

There was a lot to like about ARDFERT MARY's runner-up spot over a similar trip in Gowran Park last month. John Ryan's mare came home well after the third-last hurdle and was clear of the remainder. Philip Rothwell and Tiernan Power Roche have been plundering plenty of winners and Duffys Hodey is another leading contender. This seven-year-old gelding ran his best race to date when getting up for second over a shorter trip in Tipperary. Ryan also has Love Like This who posted a runner-up berth in a higher grade at Thurles which reads well in the context of this race. This trip shouldn't inconvenience her.
Prediction : 1st Ardfert Mary 2nd Duffys Hodey 3rd Love Like This

CHEERFUL CHAP has been off since May, but has gone well fresh before. He was in good form in the first half of the year as he clocked up victories over flights at Naas and Ballinrobe. He was also placed in Cork, and when last seen over fences at Tramore. One Last Tango was decent over hurdles and has been learning his trade in a couple of beginners chases at Galway and in a rated novice chase in Naas. Similar sentiments apply to Lazer Wolf, who won over flights at Limerick in March, as he is very much unexposed over fences. Stablemates Mighty Oak Lad and Danny The Fence will have their backers in addition to Ishan.
Prediction : 1st Cheerful Chap 2nd One Last Tango 3rd Lazer Wolf

BLEU D'ENFER is entitled to come on from his fourth place over a staying trip at Down Royal last month. That was his first outing for more than six months and the form received a hefty boost when the winner followed up in the Porterstown at Fairyhouse on Sunday. Champagne Mahler would welcome plenty of rain, but he does have a notable third in a beginners' chase at Tipperary in the book behind a horse (Pinkerton) that went on to win the Galway Plate. Undeniable Alibi is likely to progress from an opening fourth over fences at Punchestown in November, while Kiltealy Park won twice over the smaller obstacles and has her first crack at racecourse fences.
Prediction : 1st Bleu Denfer 2nd Champagne Mahler 3rd Undeniable Alibi