UK Horse Racing Tips: Killarney

The horses with official ratings don't set an insurmountable target, so it could be best to side with AFFINITY ROCK. This lightly-raced mare acquitted herself well in second over a similar trip at Punchestown in February. It is worth noting that she won her point-to-point on better ground. Time In A Bottle has been placed in three bumpers and is a threat on this step up in trip on her second start over hurdles. Josh Williamson's 7lb claim is a bonus. This is a new distance for Getaways Charm who represents a powerful stable and is likely to be in the hunt for a cheque.
Prediction : 1st Affinity Rock 2nd Time In A Bottle 3rd Getaways Charm

A chance is taken on CABARET PRINCE. This former point-to-point winner wasn't beaten far into seventh on his racecourse debut in a big field over the minimum trip at Leopardstown in March. This extended 2m4f should be well within his compass. Willie Mullins unleashes Joli Travail who won a French bumper in November 2022 and a market check is essential. His stablemate, On Cloud Wine, weakened out of contention when favourite for a Kilbeggan bumper last August. He's a half-brother to a Listed winner on the Flat and there ought to be much more to come. Rockonliam has been a beaten favourite on both starts, but could be a factor over this new trip, while Harpers Frontier is a newcomer that could get involved.
Prediction : 1st Cabaret Prince 2nd Joli Travail 3rd On Cloud Wine

SOBER is a fascinating contender on his Irish debut for Willie Mullins. He won twice at Group 2 level on the Flat in his native France for Andre Fabre and actually holds an entry in the Group 1 Gold Cup at Royal Ascot in June. Gordon Elliott fires two darts at this contest through St Cuthbert's Cave and Arch Empire who hold similar ratings. The former is proven over this trip while the latter tries it for the first time. Carrigg Island sprang a 66/1 surprise on hurdle debut at Limerick in April and won't be anywhere near that price for the time being.
Prediction : 1st Sober 2nd St Cuthberts Cave 3rd Arch Empire

BILLY LEE SWAGGER ran a stormer when a close fourth in a massive field in the Albert Bartlett Series Final Handicap Hurdle at the Punchestown Festival. Provided this race doesn't come too soon for him, he should be heavily involved off 3lb higher. Cafe Con Leche kept on well for second at Cork in March which brings him right into contention. Howdoyalikeherhome won over further in Down Royal and will appeal to many, up in class, after a 4lb rise in the weights. Top-weight Lucky Zebo has been out of form, but could enjoy this company particularly off a mark of 129.
Prediction : 1st Billy Lee Swagger 2nd Cafe Con Leche 3rd Howdoyalikeherhome

A tricky race. This is a drop in class for Blood Destiny, however, his winning form is all on slower ground. He could get away with the ground in this small field, but preference is for his stablemate HERCULE DU SEUIL. This eight-year-old gelding has plenty of smart back form on better ground and, with a record of five wins from 10 chases, he could overcome the five-month absence. Furthermore, he has gone well fresh before. Ash Tree Meadow won this last year and should have a say after unseating in the Grand National at Aintree. Prairie Dancer has a tough task at the weights, but Joseph O'Brien's charge knows where the winning post is.
Prediction : 1st Hercule Du Seuil 2nd Blood Destiny 3rd Ash Tree Meadow

Kilbeggan runner-up THREE IN A ROW can go one place better. The Arthur Moore-trained seven-year-old is lightly raced over fences, with that latest start being only his fourth over the larger obstacles. A winning hurdler, he should appreciate this better ground and if able to reproduce that recent effort, the JP McManus-owned runner can add to his sole career win to date. Last year's winner A Mere Bagatelle has to be a leading contender under Paddy Hanlon. Having shown his well-being when scoring over hurdles on his penultimate start, he had excuses on heavy ground when pulled up last time. Priory Park could easily outrun his odds back on a sounder surface.
Prediction : 1st Three In A Row 2nd A Mere Bagatelle 3rd Priory Park

LIFETIME AMBITION should be very difficult to beat for the Pat Doyle stable. Third in the Foxhunters' at Aintree last month, the 10-year-old won his previous two starts in point-to-points. This time last year, he was good enough to finish runner-up in the Champion Hunters' Chase at the Punchestown Festival. A strong traveller who is arguably at his best at trips short of 3m, he should be ideally suited to this tight track. Hollow Games, another who isn't the strongest of stayers, should also appreciate this lesser test of stamina. A sound jumper, Gordon Elliott's nine-year-old should be competitive. Early Doors has to be respected in his bid to repeat last year's win.
Prediction : 1st Lifetime Ambition 2nd Hollow Games 3rd Early Doors

Jody Townend is a notable booking for the Terence O'Brien-trained THAT DANNY FEELING. A real eyecatcher when coming from off the pace to finish third in a Listowel maiden hurdle on debut, the gelding ran another solid race when filling the same position in a Galway bumper. Off the track since October, connections must feel that he will appreciate the better ground here. Narrowly denied on his debut in a Listowel bumper, Gaoithe Glory was well behind the selection in that aforementioned Galway race and has work to do to bridge the gap. Lakewood Rose, who stayed on nicely at Cork last time, is not without a chance.
Prediction : 1st That Danny Feeling 2nd Gaoithe Glory 3rd Lakewood Rose