UK Horse Racing Tips: Wexford

AUNTIE LACEY won a point-to-point at Toomebridge last autumn and was far from disgraced on her only hurdles start when finishing in mid-division behind Kopek Des Bordes at the Leopardstown Christmas meeting. She is fancied to bounce back after disappointing subsequently in a bumper at the same venue. Danielle D had Baroness Orczy about three lengths behind when a creditable fifth to Fiver Friday in a 20-runner Naas maiden, while Laurie Blue has shown some promise over hurdles but has been absent for well over a year.
Prediction : 1st Auntie Lacey 2nd Danielle D 3rd Baroness Orczy

BAYOU BELLE has been a frustrating sort to follow and filled the runner-up spot three times here last summer. The Jarlath Fahey-trained mare has been stepped up a bit in trip this year and again went close at Kilbeggan last month, with Maid On The Moon four and a half lengths behind in third. Lilian Bland has won both over hurdles and fences this year and had Joueuse Royale over two lengths behind in second, with Maid On The Moon in fourth, when scoring over 2m6f at Downpatrick. Music Of Life and Tiffiny's Girl are others to consider.
Prediction : 1st Bayou Belle 2nd Lilian Bland 3rd Joueuse Royale

PHOENIX COWBOY won three times for Ger Lyons to hold a career-high Flat rating of 100. The Gleneagles gelding has yet to score over hurdles, but was placed on his penultimate start over a similar trip at Cork and is now fitted with a tongue-tie for the first time. A Nod To Getaway recorded his only previous win in this race 12 months ago and has been placed on all three outings this year, but appears best suited by some cut in the ground. Splendid Choice has dropped down to a lowly mark and gave some encouragement at Limerick last time.
Prediction : 1st Phoenix Cowboy 2nd A Nod To Getaway 3rd Splendid Choice

CULLIG scored in runaway fashion on her first handicap start at Cork and has finished runner-up on both outings since. The half-sister to Cheltenham Festival winner Commander Of Fleet probably has further scope for improvement. Duke Silver won over 2m4f here last autumn and is a danger to all if staying this extra half-mile, while Birmingham Alabama won over 3m at Leopardstown earlier this year and remains on a competitive mark. The Paul Nolan-trained pair Heliko Conto and Tranquil Sea merit respect, while Potters Party reverts to hurdles after disappointing at the Fairyhouse Easter meeting.
Prediction : 1st Cullig 2nd Duke Silver 3rd Birmingham Alabama

ASPIRE TOWER was a smart juvenile hurdler and has had a bit of a stop-start career over fences, including when placed behind Il Etait Temps. The selection opened his chasing account over C&D last month and, following a creditable fifth in a competitive handicap at the Punchestown Festival, appears the one to beat. Foxy Girl represents the same connections and the quite lightly-raced mare beat all bar favourite Olympic Man in a 2m4f Naas beginners chase on her penultimate start. Rockstown Girl has won twice over hurdles and appears best of the remainder.
Prediction : 1st Aspire Tower 2nd Foxy Girl 3rd Rockstown Girl

KILN TIME stays well and beat the progressive Cullig in a 3m Naas handicap hurdle on his penultimate start. He backed that up with a placed effort in a similar event at Cork and is taken to leave a disappointing run on his only previous start over fences behind over this more suitable trip. Riggs had Jimli's Cave and Cullenwaine over 11 lengths behind in third and fourth respectively when scoring over just short of 3m at Downpatrick earlier this month. Others to consider include Vaureal, Pipers Boreen and Pebble Bleu.
Prediction : 1st Kiln Time 2nd Riggs 3rd Pebble Bleu

HELLO JEAN has been placed on both bumper outings this spring and gets the vote to open her account. The Willie Mullins-trained mare had Early Bird just over a length behind when third on debut at Leopardstown and may have just found 2m4f a shade too far when beating all bar Zanoosh at Fairyhouse last month. Apples Jane has been placed twice on varying ground conditions and had both Backwithyourown and Evelyn close behind when third at Kilbeggan last time. Howyasox and Miss Blanco are two newcomers to note with significant jockey bookings.
Prediction : 1st Hello Jean 2nd Apples Jane 3rd Howyasox