UK Horse Racing Tips: Clonmel

ARCADIAN EMPEROR has been running well and is useful. Out of a half-sister to high-class hurdler Arctic Fire, he was an impressive point-to-point winner last March and while beaten as favourite on two subsequent starts, he contested a useful Leopardstown bumper over the Christmas period and then bumped into an on-song Shuttle Diplomacy in Naas, where he finished ahead of today's rival Le Roi Du Livet. Speculateur was also a beaten favourite twice recently and is vulnerable to smart types but has been running consistently and is suited by testing ground. Gainsville and reappearing Kiely's Place step up from point-to-pointing and appeal most of the remainder.
Prediction : 1st Arcadian Emperor 2nd Speculateur 3rd Le Roi Du Livet

OU DONE WELL debuts for new connections and might win this weak claimer on his first start since October. The selection scored over hurdles at Limerick last May and while his best placings have come on a sound surface, he has shown bits of form on heavy and is more sprightly than his rivals. Stablemate Oh So Charming has useful handicap form but today's really testing ground is a concern. Gather Yourself is suited by heavy ground and ran well in December, but would prefer a much longer trip.
Prediction : 1st You Done Well 2nd Oh So Charming 3rd Gather Yourself

COURTBRACK BOY was no match for an easy winner when runner-up here last month and now contests an ordinary handicap. Prior to that recent effort, his best placing was in a good-ground handicap at Listowel last September but he showed an ability to handle heavy ground last month. That race's wide-margin winner notably subsequently improved his rating by 24lb. Finnicky Filly defeated Chemdawg into third when scoring over C&D in December and both should again be competitive if replicating that form. Long-standing maiden Blue Reed was well held on his recent start but had previously shown some solid form.
Prediction : 1st Courtbrack Boy 2nd Finnicky Filly 3rd Chemdawg

HARTY CUP ran well on handicap debut last month and has every chance of improving from his current rating. Placed third in a point-to-point on debut last March, the selection's initial hurdles form was poor but showed more at Gowran in January. Donnrua Dream bounced back to form when scoring in first-time blinkers at Limerick recently and is likely to enter calculations, despite being 9lb higher. King Bob has run well on yielding ground in his last two starts and completes the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st Harty Cup 2nd Donnrua Dream 3rd King Bob

MOUNT FRISCO has done most of his racing over fences but has good recent form and makes plenty of appeal from his current hurdles rating. A three-time winner and ideally suited by testing conditions, the selection last raced over hurdles in April but, having scored gamely over fences at Gowran recently, is now rated 109 in that sphere. Is Charlie Around has been running well and is also suited by testing conditions. Tingarran Express seems ground versatile but hasn't raced since winning in August. Handicap debutant Political Stance tries heavy ground for the first time.
Prediction : 1st Mount Frisco 2nd Is Charlie Around 3rd Tingarran Express

BROWN BOOTS justified strong market suport at Navan last month and he looks to be a handicap blot reverting to hurdles. He is suited by today's conditions and is much better than his 84 rating. Milanaway and Cordal Boy were each placed at Thurles recently, while Great Island scored here in December but disappointed on his latest start. Roccabaker has been running well in similar handicaps and likes testing ground.
Prediction : 1st Brown Boots 2nd Milanaway 3rd Cordal Boy

BALLYGUNNER CASTLE is an able performer and it is hoped he will leave behind a recent fall. A dual bumper winner and placed at Grade 2 level last April, he ran well on chase debut at Punchestown in early December before falling at that venue on New Year's Eve. He is suited by testing ground and should take all the beating with a clear round. Stablemate Strutter hasn't run in 426 days and while he encouragingly remains in the champion trainer's yard, should struggle to beat the selection. Neon Diamond was useful over hurdles, while dual-winner Nytol would prefer better ground.
Prediction : 1st Ballygunner Castle 2nd Strutter 3rd Neon Diamond

CONNEMARA SHORE has poor racecourse form but notably won a point-to-point in November and looks likely to win from her current low rating. The form of her Moig South point-to-point has worked out nicely, as the runner-up subsequently scored between the flags, and while she blundered her rider out of the saddle at Navan last month, she had been well supported pre-race. Duce Bigalow is an 11-race maiden but is a dependable performer in this grade and likes testing ground. God Help Us returns following a break while Ag Obair Go Crua's endeavours have been paying off recently.
Prediction : 1st Connemara Shore 2nd Duce Bigalow 3rd God Help Us