UK Horse Racing Tips: Clonmel

I AM LORENZO hasn't run since struggling at Grade 1 level in February, but has nice ability. Previously trained by Gavin Cromwell, his maiden hurdle form was useful and although his lack of a recent run is a concern, his yard is doing well and he likes soft ground. St Lawrence's Well has a race-fitness advantage and was defeated by a subsequent Listed winner at Cork last time. He drops in distance and competes on softer ground, but should give the selection a race under his 7lb claimer. Kovanis won a Leopardstown bumper last Christmas. but was well enough held on his reappearance at Punchestown last month.
Prediction : 1st I Am Lorenzo 2nd St Lawrences Well 3rd Kovanis

Point-to-point and bumper winner SCOPE TO IMPROVE debuts over hurdles and can continue his yard's good run. Successful in a Necarne point, he scored nicely at Naas in December but disappointed somewhat when racing a little keenly at the Aintree Festival. He will be ready on reappearance and notably receives weight from his principal dangers. Top-weight If You Believe also scored between the flags and although well held in a valuable bumper at Punchestown in April, that is traditionally a strong race. Bumper winner Big Dispute is rated just 104 and while he appears to be better than that mark, might still struggle to win this.
Prediction : 1st Scope To Improve 2nd If You Believe 3rd Big Dispute

RISING DUST has progressed well and might defy his latest rise in the ratings. His recent form has been on a sound surface, but he does stay very well and remains open to some more improvement, racing from a light weight. Six-time winner Grange Walk has been running well over fences and timber recently and a different 7lb claimer is back on board for his return to hurdling. Intent Approach reappeared following a 528-day layoff at Listowel in September so should improve from that run.
Prediction : 1st Rising Dust 2nd Grange Walk 3rd Intent Approach

SPINDLEBERRY won all three novice chase runs and can confirm February placings with chief rival Bioluminescence. Runner-up at Grade 1 level over hurdles, Willie Mullins' high-class mare took very well to fences last season and concluded with a fine defeat of smart geldings Firefox and Champ Kiely in Fairyhouse's WillowWarm Gold Cup. Bioluminescence conceded 10lb to the selection in the aforementioned February race and although she now receives 2lb, she lacks a little of Spindleberry's ability. Kilbarry Saint should win the chase for the other black-type place.
Prediction : 1st Spindleberry 2nd Bioluminescence 3rd Kilbarry Saint

The 169-rated IL ETAIT TEMPS can take this on the way to a possible tilt at the Tingle Creek at Sandown. He has won five of his seven races over fences, including four at Grade One level. He goes well fresh and should make light of an absence since April when he landed the Celebration Chase. His stablemate Gentleman De Mee is weighted to make a race of it. He was last seen finishing fourth in a Grade 2 on the same Sandown card in April. He doesn't have the same strike rate over fences, but is a worthy opponent. Senecia and former Irish Grand National winner Intense Raffles may have to tussle for third place.
Prediction : 1st Il Etait Temps 2nd Gentleman De Mee 3rd Senecia

The forecast rain won't be welcomed by a lot of these horses. FREMANTLE DOCTOR's best result in this sphere came over a similar trip at Roscommon on soft ground last year when he took the runner-up berth. He was placed over further at Sligo last month and it could be a shrewd move reverting back to this distance. Ballycashin absolutely loves her trips to Clonmel and has a shot at exploiting her lower chase mark, particularly with Anna McGuinness easing the joint top-weight's burden by 7lb. Darragh O'Keeffe is in red-hot form and is set for another good spin on the consistent Onefortheditch. Recent Clonmel winner Kobalt St Georges and Baltinglass Hill will have their supporters.
Prediction : 1st Fremantle Doctor 2nd Ballycashin 3rd Onefortheditch

PANJANDRUM was the subject of a positive report in a recent stable tour and could be up to making a winning racecourse debut. He landed a point-to-point in Britain for Gina Andrews last Christmas and was sold at the sales in January before being placed with Gordon Elliott. The softening ground ought to suit him well. Grandy Lane has switched to Gavin Cromwell after being pipped by a head in a Sligo maiden hurdle in May for Ian Donoghue, so is a major player. Hillfort Manor might be one that could improve upon a fourth place at Thurles last month.
Prediction : 1st Panjandrum 2nd Grandy Lane 3rd Hillfort Manor