UK Horse Racing Tips: Sligo

Although he has plenty to find at the weights with a couple of these, MUST MEET CECIL looks the most solid option. A former course and distance winner, the Cian Collins-trained gelding arrives here in good form having finished runner-up in a similar grade at Wexford last time. With question marks against both of the higher-rated horses in this contest, he is taken to add a sixth career success. Former Grade 2 hurdle winner Dreal Deal would take the beating if anywhere near his best. The gelding had been in fair form around this time last year, but, having disappointed last time, he isn't one to place total faith in here. Similar comments apply to the 130-rated Embittered.
Prediction : 1st Must Meet Cecil 2nd Dreal Deal 3rd Embittered

NASHVILLE NOTIONS has shown enough on four runs over flights to date to suggest that she can be competitive here. The five-year-old daughter of Milan will need to improve on her most recent effort at Wexford but on the balance of her previous form, she sets the standard. While an official rating of 96 wouldn't usually be good enough to win a maiden, this looks a modest contest for the grade. Kates Choice is open to further improvement having only had the two starts over hurdles. In normal circumstances one would expect her to pick up valuable experience en route to a handicap mark but this looks a winnable race. Annarubyrose is another with the potential to do better.
Prediction : 1st Nashville Notions 2nd Kates Choice 3rd Annarubyrose

Point-to-point winner QUANTUM BOY is worth another chance on his second start under Rules. Off the track for 545 days following that initial success, the Diamond Boy gelding proved disappointing in a Punchestown bumper on his first run on the track. Undoubtedly much better than that bare form suggests, the six-year-old can show his true ability on his hurdling debut. Wholelotofbusiness returned from a long absence to finish runner-up at Killarney last month. Although unable to build on that performance at Listowel subsequently, the gelding is entitled to forgiveness. With trainer Eoin McCarthy back amongst the winners of late, the six-year-old holds leading claims. Clonmel second Tom Sarah Evelyn should also be involved for the John Patrick Ryan yard.
Prediction : 1st Quantum Boy 2nd Wholelotofbusiness 3rd Tom Sarah Evelyn

Having met with traffic problems when third at Ballinrobe last time, LEITZEL can gain compensation. The Andrew McNamara-trained five-year-old had to wait for a gap after jumping the second last, before staying on well to be nearest at the finish. Well handicapped over flights relative to her mark on the Flat, the daughter of Teofilo has every chance of registering a first win under National Hunt rules. Farrokh is another horse on a recovery mission, having fallen at the first flight at Down Royal recently. Rated 8lb higher over fences, the Barry Connell-trained gelding has leading claims. Bowgate Street is also worthy of consideration having won here in the past.
Prediction : 1st Leitzel 2nd Farrokh 3rd Bowgate Street

A competitive-looking contest and OUR ZEBO may be able to land his hat-trick after a couple of easy wins. The Mastercraftsman gelding has been a revelation on his last two outings at Tramore and Downpatrick, coming from off the pace to score in style. He got a 10lb hike for his last win but could still have a bit left in him. Oran McGill takes a useful 5lb off his back in this amateur contest. Ilbdare landed a gamble over course and distance last month and went up 9lb. He's a likely danger. Mags Nelson also won last time out, when well supported in Tramore, and is another for the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Our Zebo 2nd Ilbdare 3rd Mags Nelson

SHE'LL BE KEPT looks capable of winning in this grade. She ran well in a maiden hurdle at Tramore last time when third to Derryville and the handicapper has left her on the same mark back in handicap company now. Cornmarket won at a big price here last month and has to be respected. An 8lb rise for that success doesn't look too harsh as he won by six lengths then. Cullagh Pride ran much better on her last outing when getting within half-a-length of Next Stop Paris in Cork last month. A similar run would see her get involved.
Prediction : 1st Shell Be Kept 2nd Cornmarket 3rd Cullagh Pride

AL ARRIVEE was runner-up on her sole outing at Galway last October and can go one better on her return to action now. The Tunis filly got a couple of bumps that day before finishing second to Rock On By and that form looks solid as the winner was fifth in Grade 3 company at Punchestown in late April. Cailin Deas was last seen finishing fourth to a smart sort in Ballybow here last October and could be the danger on her return. Crossbar Getaway was runner-up at Tramore recently and comes here with a fitness advantage, so has to be respected.
Prediction : 1st Al Arrivee 2nd Cailin Deas 3rd Crossbar Getaway