UK Horse Racing Tips: Sligo

This could be a good opportunity for Gordon Elliott's WHISPERING HOPES to get off the mark. She has been interspersing hurdling with racing on the Flat, and her second place in a mares' maiden hurdle over a similar trip at this track almost two weeks ago merits plenty of respect. Gavin Cromwell's Hillhead Runner is rated 3lb superior to Whispering Hopes, but has to give her 8lb under the conditions of this race. She has been placed in two of her last three races over flights and ought to be right in the mix. Walk In The Park filly Glitz And Glamour has the chance of a cheque, while Cromwell's newcomer Wings Of Eve should be given a market check.
Prediction : 1st Whispering Hopes 2nd Hillhead Runner 3rd Glitz And Glamour

TEA IT IS may have a lowly rating of 75, but she has been placed in her last couple of handicaps and represents an in-form stable. She could exploit her light weight in this contest. Shing Shilla showed much more in a first-time hood when third at this track earlier in the month so can get involved. Surviving Murmansk made the breakthrough at the 40th time of asking at Tramore last weekend. Backing that up under the mandatory 7lb penalty three days later is far from a given, but he is one of the more likely contenders. Nashville Notions scored here in June, but the form hasn't been franked so she could be vulnerable off top weight.
Prediction : 1st Tea It Is 2nd Shing Shilla 3rd Surviving Murmansk

COCOVIC wouldn't be winning out of turn having posted runner-up berths at Kilbeggan and Killarney over the summer. He is a point-to-point winner and was only denied a first racecourse success when caught close home in Killarney. Sophia Rose looks the danger, particularly as she is only rated 2lb inferior and has a nice pull in the weights when including the 7lb claim of Eoin Staples. She is lightly raced and although her best form has been over shorter, this trip shouldn't be an issue in a small field. Newcomer Ballykeel Girl is a full-sister to a maiden hurdle runner-up in Britain so is worth a look.
Prediction : 1st Cocovic 2nd Sophia Rose 3rd Ballykeel Girl

It is more than a year since INFLUENTIAL LADY last tasted success, but she competes off a handy mark with Kieran Callaghan taking 5lb off and she signalled that an eighth career victory may not be far away with a third in Kilbeggan and a runner-up spot at Wexford. Sydney Cruiser is a long-standing maiden, but it is reasonable to suggest there is one of these races in her after two placed efforts in Ballinrobe. Juke Box Rock showed ability when staying on in fourth at Clonmel last October, although he hasn't been out since. Watching The Clock could show up well on her handicap debut.
Prediction : 1st Influential Lady 2nd Sydney Cruiser 3rd Juke Box Rock

GRANGE WALK didn't run badly in second when reverting to flights at this track earlier in the month. He had been mainly chasing since February and could do some damage in this grade. Eoin Staples has struck up a good association with Ballykinlar, who is gunning for a hat-trick. He is up another 8lb, but has to be feared as he was a comfortable winner on his last start at this venue. Moonovercloon won this race two years ago and certainly has the ability to be heavily involved. Tomas O Maille is holding his form well and, despite finding it hard to win, is in the running for another cheque.
Prediction : 1st Grange Walk 2nd Ballykinlar 3rd Moonovercloon

THE LITTLE YANK, who is an 88-race veteran, could land this winnable race. He has visited Sligo just four times, but has shown a fondness for the venue in winning twice - once over flights and once over fences. He showed that there is still plenty of fire in his belly when delivering over hurdles at Kilbeggan in June. Themanintheboots is edging down the weights and has winning form over a staying trip in Perth. Tango Theatre filled the runner-up berth on her last two appearances at Kilbeggan and Bangor and is a contender, although she has never got her head in front on the racetrack before. Back The West caught the eye in fourth at Ballinrobe and isn't out of it.
Prediction : 1st The Little Yank 2nd Themanintheboots 3rd Tango Theatre

Ribchester filly TALAS KERA might be the answer to a trappy bumper. There was promise in her opening fourth at Wexford and the runner-up boosted the form when winning at Tramore last Friday. Not So Serious went off joint-favourite on debut at Kilbeggan, so has to come into the reckoning. He came home in mid-division, but doubtless there is much more to come from him. Mr Master Mac is entitled to come on from a third place in Roscommon and avails of John Gleeson's assistance again, while Bells Grove is a debutant well worth checking for market strength.
Prediction : 1st Talas Kera 2nd Not So Serious 3rd Mr Master Mac