UK Horse Racing Tips: Cork

A point-to-point winner in April, MISTER PESSIMISTIC was successful on his Rules debut when landing a bumper at Listowel in September. The Westerner gelding will probably improve as he goes up in trip but he represents a yard in excellent form and, if jumping adequately on this first run over flights, should be hard to beat. A half-brother to a hurdles winner over 3m, Grey Jude was only two and a half lengths behind the selection when third at Listowel and merits plenty of respect on his hurdling debut. Master Haku and Ready For Road are newcomers from powerful yards and market confidence in either would be significant.
Prediction : 1st Mister Pessimistic 2nd Grey Jude 3rd Ready For Road

Robert Tyner has been waiting for easy ground for I'M SLIPPY and has found a very winnable race for his hurdling debut. The Maxios gelding won a valuable sales bumper at Fairyhouse in April and although that form hasn't really been tested yet, it will be surprising if he doesn't maintain his unbeaten record in this contest. The half-brother to a 2m4f hurdles winner has reportedly done plenty of schooling and jumps well. Family Getaway is a half-sister to useful and versatile performer The Very Man and is a newcomer to note. Market Ready's fourth at Clonmel in March is the best hurdles form on show and he has place claims.
Prediction : 1st Im Slippy 2nd Family Getaway 3rd Market Ready

MARY'S PRIDE ran a nice race after a long layoff when third at Fairyhouse last month and that form was boosted when the runner-up scored next time out. Eddie Cawley's runner has won two handicaps over this trip and is back on a competitive mark. Sarah Kavanagh's claim gives him a nice racing weight and any further rain would be to his advantage. Eastmore has really got his act together lately and although best on good ground, his second at Listowel two runs back showed that he handles easy ground too. Seven-time winner Crowsatedappletart would ideally prefer further, but his hurdles mark is 14lb lower than his revised chase rating and he is likely to be in the mix.
Prediction : 1st Marys Pride 2nd Eastmore 3rd Crowsatedappletart

Locally-trained mare DIVABORIVA can land this prize for Jonathan Sweeney. The bumper winner shaped with promise on her hurdling debut when sixth here back in April and then reverted to NH Flat company to finish third in a hotly-contested Grade 3 at the Punchestown Festival. Provided that she is fit and ready on this first run of the season, the six-year-old looks to hold leading claims under Adam Ryan. Recent Fairyhouse third Noble Name would have every chance if reproducing that effort. Tramore bumper winner Barra Rua is another who has to be considered in a competitive affair for the grade.
Prediction : 1st Divaboriva 2nd Noble Name 3rd Barra Rua

The Gordon Elliott-trained CARDCOUNTER looks to have been presented with a nice opportunity to make a winning reappearance. A dual scorer over hurdles last season, the five-year-old ended his campaign when down the field in a Grade 1 at the Punchestown Festival. Although no match for the principals on that occasion, the fact he was deemed good enough to contest that race suggests that connections think highly of him. An impressive winner here last time, Tackletommywoowoo rates the main threat. Despite having plenty to find with the selection, the Declan Queally-trained five-year-old is open to further improvement. Listowel maiden hurdle winner Good Girl Kathleen looks best of the remainder.
Prediction : 1st Cardcounter 2nd Tackletommywoowoo 3rd Good Girl Kathleen

None of the five can be safely ruled out, although Nurburgring has been disappointing of late and is difficult to fancy with any great confidence. You Oughta Know is another who will be aiming to bounce back, with the Willie Mullins-trained seven-year-old pulling up in the Munster National after coming to grief in the Kerry National. Formerly trained by Mullins and not seen since March, a first-time tongue-strap is tried on Asian Master, who might just need the run. Successful at Galway and Listowel respectively, OL MAN DINGLE and Mossy Fen Park might be the two to focus on, with the Eoin Griffin-trained former marginally preferred. He beat a subsequent winner at Ballybrit and looks an exciting prospect for connections.
Prediction : 1st Ol Man Dingle 2nd Mossy Fen Park 3rd You Oughta Know

A proven stayer and a battle-hardened competitor, HISTORY OF FASHION appeals in this stamina-sapping contest. Winning twice from six starts last season, he had a nice pipe-opener at Gowran recently and it should leave him spot-on for this assignment. An easy winner over flights at Navan in September, Big Debates is the second choice. A close fourth in this 12 months ago, he is rated 5lb lower and the addition of a tongue-strap might eke out further improvement. Representing Willie Mullins, Chosen Witness and A Penny A Hundred warrant the utmost respect, with Paul Townend opting to partner the former. A close third when bidding to complete a four-timer at Galway, Bal Kauto is of definite interest, while others for the shortlist are the returning Fortunedefortunata and Noble Birth.
Prediction : 1st History Of Fashion 2nd Big Debates 3rd Bal Kauto

The locally-trained INCHIDALY COPPER is the suggestion in this wide-open contest. Running well of late, he will be ably assisted by Luke Burke-Ott, who claims a valuable 7lb. The winner of this race 12 months ago, Burru warrants the utmost respect, while it will be interesting to see how dual Flat winner Plunkett Street fares on his first try in handicap hurdle company. Not seen since finishing fifth of 23 in a fiercely competitive contest at Leopardstown last Christmas, His Nibs can make his presence felt. West Cork Wildway, who is down to a career-low mark of 109, and Arctic Gale are others for the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Inchidaly Copper 2nd Burru 3rd His Nibs