UK Horse Racing Tips: Cork

THE REVEREND is a smart recruit from the Flat and represents powerful connections. The Lope De Vega gelding won four times for William Haggas on varying ground conditions and was last seen scoring over 1m6f at Haydock in September off a mark of 98. Dawn Coming was placed in a Curragh maiden for Jim Bolger and has made the frame on both starts over hurdles since joining Charles Byrnes including when third behind Bertutea at Limerick last week. Speculateur won a point-to-point in fine style last spring and now switches to hurdles after finishing fourth on his debut under Rules in a Punchestown bumper.
Prediction : 1st The Reverend 2nd Dawn Coming 3rd Speculateur

SPINOLA BAY hails from a yard in great form and gets the vote to complete a hat-trick. The selection overcame a mistake at the last when successful at Navan and was again prominent throughout when landing a very competitive 18-runner handicap at the Leopardstown Christmas meeting with Tatateo back in mid-division. Youlita justified strong support in a Downpatrick maiden last May and it will be interesting to see how strong he is in the market here on reappearance. Zuzukel was just denied at Punchestown last time and is another to consider along with Youneedabitofluck.
Prediction : 1st Spinola Bay 2nd Youlita 3rd Zuzukel

Having finished runner-up on both starts over hurdles to date, this looks a good opportunity for FILLYOUREYE to register a first success. A former Kilbeggan bumper winner, the Willie Mullins-trained gelding was sent off favourite when taking minor honours at Punchestown last month. Stepping up in trip here should suit the son of Leading Light. Point-to-point winner Rebel Budz went close on his hurdling debut at Thurles in October. The Paul O'Flynn-trained seven-year-old should be capable of building on that effort. Frankie's Freebie is next best.
Prediction : 1st Fillyoureye 2nd Rebel Budz 3rd Frankies Freebie

Recent Limerick scorer COUSIN KATE can follow up for in-form trainer Denis Hogan. Although raised 8lb for that latest success, the daughter of Maxios has most of that burden offset by a very capable claimer. A well-bred five-year-old mare, she has really come into her own in recent times and it would be no surprise to see her continue on an upward curve. Getaway Beo made an impressive racecourse debut when easily winning at Tipperary in October. The Gordon Elliott-trained six-year-old almost certainly failed to give her true running when tailed off in a Grade 3 at Down Royal latest. Cast A Spell also holds claims.
Prediction : 1st Cousin Kate 2nd Getaway Beo 3rd Cast A Spell

Recent Tramore third SNOW PUNT can make the breakthrough under Rules. A former point-to-point winner, the Brendan Walsh-trained gelding was placed twice over hurdles in 2024 and comes into this race fresher than most. Coillte M C G is an interesting contender under a very decent conditional rider. Runner-up in a point-to-point, the daughter of Yeats shaped well on a few occasions over hurdles earlier this season. Mount Shenshan is another to bear in mind.
Prediction : 1st Snow Punt 2nd Coillte M C G 3rd Mount Shenshan

BAL KAUTO's third place in a higher grade at Galway in October reads well after the runner-up took a valuable contest at Limerick over Christmas by 11 lengths. He is on a competitive mark with Michael Kenneally claiming 7lb. Al Kalila has had two runs in good handicap chases over further at Kelso where he finished second and third. It is notable that he won his maiden hurdle over an extended 2m4f at Ayr, so he ought to show up well. Soloman Lane held on by a head in Navan last month and a 4lb rise is far from insurmountable for the 11-year-old gelding, while Koori Star is a handicap debutant to note in the market.
Prediction : 1st Bal Kauto 2nd Al Kalila 3rd Soloman Lane

The major stables are represented by interesting types, but MOONVERRIN ran a lovely race in second on debut at Fairyhouse and could go one better. She was caught in the closing stages by a rival that surged home and did very little wrong. Henry de Bromhead's newcomer Mary O'g is a half-sister to top-class chaser Gerri Colombe, so has to be monitored in the market. Willie Mullins takes the wraps off Workforce mare Owning Flower, who landed a point-to-point last March. That contest is working out well and she is a big player. Poetic Twist starts out for the very in-form Gordon Elliott and she ought to be in the midst of the action.
Prediction : 1st Moonverrin 2nd Mary Og 3rd Owning Flower