UK Horse Racing Tips: Cork

NIGHTMARE HAS possesses a smart jumps pedigree and represents connections who recently scored with a smart filly in this new series. By the same sire as State Man and a half-brother to two black-type performers, he cost 150,000 euros as a two-year-old and will know his job. The aptly-named Minella Academy also represents connections who have won in this series. A 52,000-euro Orby Sale graduate, he is out of a half-sister to Group 1 winner Aussie Rules, while his sire has produced some useful NH horses. Ronnie's Rascal is from a nice French family and showed ability on debut. Out of a winning chaser, she finished third to Flat-bred rivals here last month and can improve.
Prediction : 1st Nightmare Has 2nd Minella Academy 3rd Ronnies Rascal

MIDNIGHT JET has a fine pedigree and showed smart ability to win on debut in May. Out of a Listed-placed half-sister to Marine Nationale, the son of Maxios was well supported when landing a smart bumper for Sam Curling in Killarney, with Grey Jude finishing well held in third. He has joined new connections and will be ready for this reappearance. Master Haku showed plenty of promise when finishing behind Grey Jude here recently and he can turn around those placings as he is open to further progression.
Prediction : 1st Midnight Jet 2nd Master Haku 3rd Grey Jude

SORTUDO showed some high-class potential last season. Runner-up at the Dublin Racing Festival before finishing seventh in Cheltenham, he progressed further when bolting up at Fairyhouse in April and will be ready for this reappearance. Jalon D'oudairies missed last season but has also shown smart ability in NH Flat races. A debut point-to-point winner and placed third in the 2024 Champion Bumper, his absence is a concern, although he reappears at an encouraging time of the season. Factual Fact debuts over jumps but has good recent Flat form, while Shuttle Diplomacy finished ahead the selection when third at Cheltenham but behind him at Fairyhouse. He is on a retrieval mission following his Galway disappointment.
Prediction : 1st Sortudo 2nd Jalon Doudairies 3rd Factual Fact

SARANDON has shown ability in maidens and should compete on her handicap debut. Although well held in fourth on her introduction at Punchestown back in February, she had plenty of rivals behind her. At Wexford last month, she again ran nicely, with that race's winner finishing second at Graded level subsequently. Bannow Blaze has been running consistently well on mainly good ground in recent times and although 6lb higher than when scoring at Wexford, should again figure. La Tulipe Noire has poor hurdling form, but has been running well on the Flat recently and can get involved as she likes soft ground.
Prediction : 1st Sarandon 2nd Bannow Blaze 3rd La Tulipe Noire

A point-to-point winner on soft ground, LONG BRANCH ran a nice race when fifth over an extended 2m in a useful maiden at Wexford and will be suited by stepping up to this trip for his handicap debut. He has been caught for pace in recent starts, but this test of stamina should see him in a better light. Darcy's Friend, who wears a first-time hood, was well held over fences at Cheltenham, but his hurdles form since joining Emmet Mullins has been useful and he should also appreciate stepping up in distance. Oneforgonzo is proven at the trip, while smart chaser Midnight Our Fred will likely be all the better for this return.
Prediction : 1st Long Branch 2nd Darcys Friend 3rd Oneforgonzo

A dual Grade 1 winner over hurdles and runner-up to Lossiemouth in the Mares' Hurdle at Cheltenham in March, JADE DE GRUGY sets out on her chasing career. The daughter of Doctor Dino is out of a half-sister to Champion Chase winner Sire De Grugy and will be hard to beat if taking to this new discipline. Point-to-point winner The Big Westerner was a fine second in last season's Albert Bartlett and the half-sister to smart chaser Stay Away Fay is another exciting recruit to fences. Kala Conti was a good hurdler in her own right, but finished well behind Jade De Grugy at Cheltenham last season.
Prediction : 1st Jade De Grugy 2nd The Big Westerner 3rd Kala Conti

SPELLACY'S CROSS won twice at Clonmel last month and should be suited by coming back in trip after finishing a respectable fifth here in the Cork Grand National over 3m4f. He had looked nicely progressive prior to that and should have more to offer. Smallcraftwarning was a place ahead of Spellacy's Cross in that staying contest and has been most consistent in recent starts. Ney was an improver over fences early in the year and should have come on from a recent comeback run over hurdles. O'Toole has been difficult to keep sound but is talented and goes well fresh, while recent winners Castle Field Boy and Battle Of Mirbat would prefer further.
Prediction : 1st Spellacys Cross 2nd Ney 3rd OToole

KISH BANK finished just behind Mickie Angel when fourth in a 3m contest at Fairyhouse earlier this month. That was a seasonal and chasing debut for the imposing Mount Nelson gelding who, with headgear now fitted, can turn around the form and go close here. Mouse Morris, who saddled the winner of that Fairyhouse race, is represented by Navan maiden hurdle winner Autoportrait. From the family of A Plus Tard, the chasing debutant appeals as one who can fare even better over the larger obstacles. The 124-rated Nowwhatdoyouthink has an edge in experience over many of these. He probably went too hard in front when third at Wexford, but this longer trip is a concern.
Prediction : 1st Kish Bank 2nd Autoportrait 3rd Mickie Angel