UK Horse Racing Tips: Ballinrobe

WACKESTONE has shown promise on the Flat and can make a winning start over hurdles. Third in a strong 1m2f maiden at Navan when last seen in April, the Australia gelding handles soft ground and has had time to mature over the summer. Those with jumping experience look vulnerable to a potentially smart newcomer and Gordon Elliott's runner fits the bill. Bridezilla acquitted herself well on her hurdling debut when second here last month and this slightly longer trip should suit her. Sopelana was a fair way behind Bridezilla on that occasion before finishing third at Killarney and has place claims again. Market support for Emmet Mullins' newcomer Circle Of Secrets would be significant.
Prediction : 1st Wackestone 2nd Bridezilla 3rd Sopelana

Paul Townend travels west for just one ride and partners dual bumper winner KORINTHIA, who makes her first start over hurdles. The daughter of Jukebox Jury was last seen finishing fifth in a Listed race at Cheltenham in November. Too free on that occasion, she is now fitted with a hood and a decent round of jumping should make her hard to beat if she settles better in the headgear. Youre A Derry Girl is the highest rated of those with handicap marks and comes here after a solid second over a longer trip at Wexford. Boujee didn't get home when third over 2m6f here but, over this distance, she can turn around form with the runner-up Toor Moon.
Prediction : 1st Korinthia 2nd Youre A Derry Girl 3rd Boujee

LORD FFRENCH was a cosy winner of a maiden over an extended 2m4f at Sligo on just his second hurdles start and now steps into handicap company. His opening mark doesn't look that lenient, but he had some useful bumper form last year and might improve again for stepping up in trip. Mephisto has shot up the ratings after rattling up a hat-trick on good ground last month. Things will be harder for him now, but he's a course winner and has shown fair form on soft ground too. The locally-trained Tomas O Maille ran poorly last time, but had been in good form here prior to that. Mica Malpic is well treated compared to his chase mark but would prefer further.
Prediction : 1st Lord Ffrench 2nd Mephisto 3rd Tomas O Maille

AD CAELUM won well when getting the better of Ladiam at this venue and might be able to follow up off a 7lb higher mark. The four-time hurdles winner is down in trip by half a mile, but is effective over a range of distances and won on soft ground last winter. Talented amateur Dara McGill, who rode her last time, takes the mount again. Dual Listed winner World Of Fortunes didn't take to fences at Tramore, but has to be of interest back over hurdles and is running in a handicap for the first time. The four-year-old Carried With Love ran well in a competitive contest at Killarney and is open to more improvement.
Prediction : 1st Ad Caelum 2nd World Of Fortunes 3rd Carried With Love

Four of Declan Queally's last six runners have hit the target and MOZZIES SISTER can be another winner for the Waterford handler here. The Arctic Cosmos mare stays well and was a smart novice hurdler last term when placed at Grade 1 level against geldings. Her Cork run after a summer break should have brought her on and the winning pointer can take this on her first chase start under Rules. Littlebiggie is rated 16lb lower than the selection over hurdles, but has run well on both chase starts and will enjoy this longer trip. Slotty Dotty won her only point-to-point before showing fair form over hurdles, but has been absent since March.
Prediction : 1st Mozzies Sister 2nd Littlebiggie 3rd Slotty Dotty

MY FRIEND THE WIND came home well to get up at Kilbeggan and could follow up. He has shown a real aptitude for Ballinrobe, with a victory and four places posted at the western venue, and is also well versed on slower ground. Ballagh Star was a close third behind him in Kilbeggan and is weighted to get his revenge, so ought to be thereabouts. The Little Yank will be giving his all in pursuit of an eighth career success and isn't out of it after a fourth over flights at Kilbeggan. The Gavin Cromwell pair of Sights Unseen and the up-in-trip My Good Pal are in the hunt for a payday.
Prediction : 1st My Friend The Wind 2nd Ballagh Star 3rd The Little Yank

ITSALONGLONGROAD took this race last year and has a shot at a repeat. He got back to winning ways on his latest start in Tramore and although he is viewed as something of a Tramore specialist, he was second in this race two years ago and enjoys a good record in Ballinrobe. After a never-nearer fourth at Wexford in July, Finnians Row returned to the same track to strike by a short head over a further trip last month. He rates a significant threat. The more rain the better for Drop The Anchor, while Howya Luveen and Metamorpheus, who both failed to complete on their latest outings, could get into the mix with clear rounds.
Prediction : 1st Itsalonglongroad 2nd Finnians Row 3rd Drop The Anchor

BLUE WATERS got off the mark on her second start in a fillies' bumper at this track and the form received an emphatic boost when the runner-up came out and crushed her rivals by 13 lengths in a mares' bumper at Galway on Monday. Newcomer Cast A Cold Eye is of obvious interest as a half-sister to Cheltenham and Punchestown Grade 1 winner Bambino Fever. The market should be informative about Willie Mullins' charge, who starts off with a tongue-strap and a hood. Governors Rock has moved to Mark Fahey after winning a Wexford bumper and is another to consider, while Ade Boy and Takiwatanga are other newcomers from yards that know how to win bumpers.
Prediction : 1st Blue Waters 2nd Cast A Cold Eye 3rd Governors Rock