UK Horse Racing Tips: Cork

SLANEY VIEW showed nice ability in finishing second on her debut in the season's opening race at the Curragh last month and can put that experience to good use. By a leading stallion, the selection is a half-sister to two capable winners and having been well supported when running well on her introduction, she could improve on a sounder surface. Mina Bonita's dam was a Group 3 winner who has already produced five winners, including one at Listed level, and she could be useful. Portmagee Girl's winning dam is from a fine Juddmonte family so has to enter the equation too.
Prediction : 1st Slaney View 2nd Mina Bonita 3rd Portmagee Girl

The speedily-bred UNEXPECTED ISSUES looks fairly treated with a rating of 84. The sister to Castle Star notably defeated a subsequent Group 3 winner to score on debut at Navan last May and while well held afterwards, she contested two hot stakes races. The runner-up in the first of those went on to score at Group 1 level and while she disappointed over 7f at Leopardstown in September, Fozzy Stack's filly might not have stayed and drops in grade now. Likedbymike comfortably won a C&D maiden in October and although considerably worse off at the weights with that race's runner-up Passing Phase, should nonetheless compete.
Prediction : 1st Unexpected Issues 2nd Likedbymike 3rd Passing Phase

SARATOGA SPECIAL has proven expensive to follow, but contests a winnable maiden on her reappearance. All her runs have come at this distance and she notably finished second at Listed level last August. She was subsequently beaten at odds-on in a Navan maiden and while she again disappointed at Dundalk, she nonetheless showed ability in both runs. The keen-going Bobbi Rosa is herself a 5f specialist but while she should run her usual honest race on her reappearance, she might struggle to beat an on-song selection. Debutante Lil' Angel is the first foal out of a Group-placed mare and could have sufficient ability to make an impact.
Prediction : 1st Saratoga Special 2nd Bobbi Rosa 3rd Lil Angel

EASY won last year's renewal and, being lightly raced, it is encouraging that she returns to training. A smart performer with a big frame, she quickened well to win on heavy ground a little over 12 months ago and although beaten on her sole subsequent start at Longchamp in June, will have been readied for her comeback. Vespertilio has twice been placed at Group 1 level and while she is dependable and ground-versatile, makes her seasonal reappearance over a distance which is shorter than ideal. Chicago Critic would also prefer further, while King Cuan is suited by conditions but is long absent.
Prediction : 1st Easy 2nd Vespertilio 3rd King Cuan

ELIZABETH JANE won a Listed race on her last run of 2024 and reappears over a suitable distance. From a top Moyglare family, she finished fourth in the Irish Oaks and, being suited by easy ground, this is the starting point for what is likely to be a busy spring campaign. Comic Book stays well and finished second at Group 3 level last September, but she was beaten five lengths by the winner and lacks a little of the selection's ability. Bubble Gum, who was sixth in the French Oaks and attained a Listed placing in September, debuts for new connections and possibly needs easy ground.
Prediction : 1st Elizabeth Jane 2nd Comic Book 3rd Bubble Gum

First time out this season might be the best time to catch RION RUBETTE. Runner-up on her racecourse debut at Navan, the Michael Butler-trained filly followed that up with a similar effort at Naas on her next appearance. Although unable to match those performances in three subsequent starts, she was highly tried in Listed class on one of those occasions. Bred to appreciate this step up in trip, she is interesting on her handicap debut. Unique Journey has to be of interest under Colin Keane. Third on his seasonal reappearance at Naas last month, the Danny Murphy-trained gelding proved his stamina for this distance when runner-up at Galway in October. Iceford is another worthy of consideration.
Prediction : 1st Rion Rubette 2nd Unique Journey 3rd Iceford

With the Dermot Weld string having made an encouraging start to the campaign, BELLA ISABELLA is taken to open her account. Having run very green on her racecourse debut at Leopardstown in October, the filly showed the benefit of that experience when runner-up at Dundalk in February. Well drawn here, the daughter of Wootton Bassett can make the most of that advantage. Newcomer Sapphire Princess has to be of interest for the Ger Lyons stable. Her trainer introduced a couple of smart debutants at this venue last season so it would be no surprise to see this filly run a big race. The experienced Temperance is another to note.
Prediction : 1st Bella Isabella 2nd Sapphire Princess 3rd Temperance