UK Horse Racing Tips: Dundalk

LUNIGIANA has proved very frustrating to follow, but may finally open her account. The Willie McCreery-trained filly has been placed on eight of her 11 starts, including at this venue, and last time was just headed on the line over this trip at Navan. Astute Power appreciated hold-up tactics when stepping up considerably on two previous runs to finish just over a length behind the selection in third and may prove the chief threat. Woolridge tries this distance for the first time and looks the pick of the remainder.
Prediction : 1st Lunigiana 2nd Astute Power 3rd Woolridge

ASTRONOMICALLY made a pleasing start over C&D last week and may have been found a good opportunity to open her account. The daughter of No Nay Never was never too far from the pace when fourth behind Anushka and gets the vote over Liberation Date, who showed promise on debut at the Curragh. Prevalence may progress from her initial outing at this venue, while newcomers Celtic Melody, by Too Darn Hot out of a winning Camelot mare, and Invincible Spirit filly Indomiknow are two to note in the market.
Prediction : 1st Astronomically 2nd Liberation Date 3rd Celtic Melody

SPY has been in good form over hurdles this year, winning a valuable Killarney handicap, and was also placed on the Flat at Thurles last month in a race that has thrown up a couple of subsequent winners. Sarmiento Power took advantage of a lowly mark when landing a gamble over C&D in September and was a creditable second to Cherry Pink over an extended 1m2f here last month. The Matt Smith-trained gelding may reverse that form over this distance. Benavente won over C&D this autumn and was claimed out of Kevin Coleman's yard after filling the runner-up spot here last month, with Satono Chevalier close up in third.
Prediction : 1st Spy 2nd Sarmiento Power 3rd Benavente

NAOMI LAPAGLIA probably raced a bit keenly when finding the combination of 1m2f and Group 2 company too much at the Curragh. She previously won a Listed race at Gowran and arguably ran a career best on her last try over a mile when third to Porta Fortuna. Jancis has been given a three-month break after disappointing at Leopardstown, while Smiling showed much improved form when beating all bar Onemoredance in a mile Listed race at Naas, with Pink Oxalis and Fiery Lucy both behind. Aviatrice was racing off a mark of 78 when impressively beating Empress Artemis and Shavasi over 7f here, but has more on her plate now.
Prediction : 1st Naomi Lapaglia 2nd Smiling 3rd Jancis

MINELLA ROCKET stepped forward from his debut at Leopardstown when fourth at Tipperary. The form of that 13-runner maiden has been working out well since and the John Nallen-trained gelding should give a good account if handling this surface. Manton Bay came home well after a slow start on debut over 6f at the Curragh and is bred to appreciate this step up in distance, while Lauda made an encouraging introduction at the same venue and may have been unsuited by testing ground on both outings since. Grand Premiere, who cost $260,000 as a yearling, and the Henry de Bromhead-trained pair Koekkoek and Starflow are three newcomers to note in the market.
Prediction : 1st Minella Rockett 2nd Manton Bay 3rd Lauda

DIEGO EL QUESO may be able to strike again after getting his head in front last week. The Blue Point gelding had been knocking on the door in maidens before making the breakthrough on his first visit to this track and has plenty of experience now trying handicap company. Tokenomics has been edged out on his last couple of outings and is entitled to run a big race again. David Marnane's charge did get 3lb for his runner-up effort here last time, but should still be competitive. Hightimeyouwon was behind Tokenomics when finishing last to Daamberdiplomat three weeks ago. He's capable of better and could get closer.
Prediction : 1st Diego El Queso 2nd Tokenomics 3rd Hightimeyouwon

SMAOINEAMH SILE ran a big race here last week and may be able to go one better, despite a 3lb rise. She stuck at her task well when edged out by a neck by the well-supported Moyassr and looks capable of striking off her current mark after sliding a nice bit during the year. Alex Belardo was only a short head behind the selection and is 1lb better off. He obviously has to be a leading contender again. Ballymagreehan has been dropped a couple of pounds since finishing third here in August and looks like another big player.
Prediction : 1st Smaoineamh Sile 2nd Alex Belardo 3rd Ballymagreehan