UK Horse Racing Tips: Cork

It might be worth taking a chance on YOU DONE WELL in this wide-open contest. Beaten by just a neck on his debut over flights at Gowran in October, he since finished a respectable sixth of 21 at Punchestown, with subsequent Grade 3 winner Naturally Nimble a place behind. Second in that Punchestown contest, Lakota Blue is sure to have plenty of supporters in his bid to go a place better, while Flat recruit Nans View is of definite interest on her first try over flights. One of three Joseph O'Brien-trained representatives, Turn And Finish is the second choice. Given a lot to do when runner-up on his most recent start, it'll come as no surprise if he manages to go a place better now. A winner on the all-weather in France, Tremaine warrants respect with Danny Mullins aboard, while Puturhandstogether, Doctor Confusion and Babich are others for the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st You Done Well 2nd Turn And Finish 3rd Lakota Blue

Willie Mullins introduces yet another French import in the shape of Kappa Jy Pyke, and while he warrants respect, it might be worth taking him on. The winner of an AQPS race in his native land back in October of last year, he beat Kuzco and Kazakh d'Arthel into second and third respectively, with both of those disappointing since. Successful on debut in a March point-to-point at Belclare, Pure Steel is of definite interest on his first start for Jimmy Mangan, while the Henry de Bromhead-trained Sky Lord and Enda Bolger's Park That are other leading hopes. For a selection, ICARE D'AUBRELLE gets the nod. Described as 'something special' after winning on debut at Naas in February 2022, he has clearly met with trouble since but could start making up for lost time now.
Prediction : 1st Icare Daubrelle 2nd Pure Steel 3rd Sky Lord

It might be worth taking a chance on CHURCHROAD PRINCE. Trained locally by the shrewd Jonathan Sweeney, this six-year-old hasn't been seen since winning at Ballinrobe in May. A brother to Jonjo O'Neill's Bill Joyce, a Grade 2 winner at Sandown on Friday, he is likely to be suited by this step up in trip. The hat-trick seeking Luckinthecity won by a short head when last seen over C&D in October but was somewhat fortunate, with the rider of the runner-up losing his whip. His stable companion Just For Love warrants respect getting a mares' allowance, while Minella Sixo has obvious claims if turning up after Saturday's Navan engagement. Pray Tell and Therellbguddaysyet complete the line-up.
Prediction : 1st Churchroad Prince 2nd Luckinthecity 3rd Just For Love

Impressive winners at Tipperary and Gowran respectively, ONLY BY NIGHT and Nara look the ones to focus on. The Gavin Cromwell-trained former easily accounted for an odds-on chance when successful at the Limerick Junction venue and, back against her own sex now, she might be able to follow up. Still only a four-year-old, Nara gets a weight allowance. She trounced her rivals when last seen at Gowran and had the reopposing Kilbarry Saint and Air Drop behind. A winner at the highest level over flights, Zenta looks the best of the rest. Disappointingly beaten into fourth on her debut over fences at Ballinrobe in May, it'll come as no surprise if she manages to bounce back. A Law Of Her Own has some solid form to her name and is another who warrants respect.
Prediction : 1st Only By Night 2nd Nara 3rd Zenta

ENERGUMENE won this race in 2021 and 2022 before enjoying arguably his finest hour the following spring when beating Captain Guinness by 10 lengths to land his second Champion Chase at Cheltenham. The Willie Mullins-trained gelding now reappears after an absence of 593 days and it will be interesting to see how strong he is in the market. The champion trainer saddles six of the eight runners and the fragile Ferny Hollow is also a classy Grade 1 winner, while Appreciate It ran a cracker when runner-up to Fastorslow on his reappearance in the John Durkan Chase last year. Banbridge had Dinoblue over a length behind in third when taking the Champion Chase at the Punchestown Festival last spring, but will not be suited by soft ground.
Prediction : 1st Energumene 2nd Ferny Hollow 3rd Dinoblue

The form of the bumper that YOUNG LUCY won here last year has worked out well and while she hasn't added to that success, there were plenty of positives to be taken from her return to hurdles over 2m5f at Cheltenham last month. She finished well when beating all bar favourite Double Powerful and gets the vote over Johnny Blue, who won a Worcester bumper for Nicky Henderson and now joins Willie Mullins having filled the runner-up spot twice in maiden hurdles last season. From The Ashes enters calculations on his second at Leopardstown last spring and should benefit from a recent run over fences. Killaney King and Whatsafellatodo are others to consider.
Prediction : 1st Young Lucy 2nd Johnny Blue 3rd From The Ashes

A NOD TO GETAWAY won a 2m1f Wexford handicap on soft ground back in May and subsequently showed he's versatile in terms of distance when runner-up in a 2m7f Killarney chase. He was staying on over 2m at Thurles last time and is preferred to Hesasmoothoperator, who has been placed on his latest two starts over this trip and should go close if handling softer ground. Colleen Danu scored on just her second start for Pat Foley at Gowran last month, while The Dooner Citizen finished well at Tramore last time. Lispendense, Del Girl, One And Only and first reserve Duffys Hodey are others to note.
Prediction : 1st A Nod To Getaway 2nd Hesasmoothoperator 3rd Colleen Danu