UK Horse Racing Tips: Clonmel

Gordon Elliott holds the key to this contest and Jack Kennedy has gone for Maxxum but preference is for DEE CAPO, who has the best chase form in the race. The Maxios gelding won a decent handicap in November and his fourth in a valuable event at the Dublin Racing Festival was an even better effort. It would appear that Cheltenham is not his track, but this looks a good opportunity back on home soil. Maxxum has been a real money-spinner for the yard over hurdles. Successful on his chasing debut, he has failed to make an impact on his other two starts over fences. Look To The West, outclassed before falling on her reappearance at Fairyhouse, looks next best.
Prediction : 1st Dee Capo 2nd Maxxum 3rd Look To The West

SNOW PUNT finished with a rattle when just failing to get up over a similar trip at Limerick and may go one better. The nine-year-old has been consistent in his last few starts over fences and can gain a first success under Rules. Rhythmic Tune's trainer has been among the winners lately and the Vendangeur gelding, a winner over hurdles in the autumn, is interesting on chase debut. Wyoming Baby was placed in a couple of handicap chases last spring and may have needed her return to action at Thurles, while Is Charlie Around made a good return to fences here last week and takes a marked step up in trip.
Prediction : 1st Snow Punt 2nd Rhythmic Tune 3rd Wyoming Baby

KAISER DE CHANAY ran poorly here, but the ground was very heavy and he's worth another chance. He ran respectably at this circuit on his seasonal debut, but his claims are largely based on his fifth at Navan in January. The form of that race has worked out well and less testing ground on this occasion should suit the six-year-old. Drombane's first bumper run wasn't without merit and he's tried in a tongue-tie for his hurdling debut. His dam was a smart dual-purpose performer. Fabhcun could be given a chance on the strength of his debut effort at Gowran, although he took a backward step last time.
Prediction : 1st Kaiser De Chanay 2nd Drombane 3rd Fabhcun

A weak maiden in which Gordon Elliott holds a strong hand. Jack Kennedy rides ONE TO WITNESS, a Sholokhov half-brother to useful jumper Idas Boy who wasn't beaten that far in a Naas bumper that has had a recent form boost. He may be able to make a winning debut over hurdles. Danny Gilligan is on Dooks, a 52,000-euro store who is a brother to smart jumper Amarillo Sky, and he may prove more of a threat than the third Elliott runner Celtic Alliance, a half-sister to a pair of hurdle winners. Blossom Trixie has the benefit of hurdling experience, while Mastertown Miss makes some appeal on pedigree and represents a shrewd yard.
Prediction : 1st One To Witness 2nd Dooks 3rd Mastertown Miss

WILD WILD WIND had a far-from-clear passage when eighth of 22 at Cork recently and was placed in each of her three starts prior to that effort. Hugh Horgan retains the ride, claiming a valuable 5lb, and the five-year-old gets the nod. Fourth, eighth and ninth at Naas, Ode To Joy, Finnicky Filly and Cry Before Dawn renew rivalries, with the William McLernon-trained former taken to uphold the form. Already twice successful at this venue, Volez Vous is an interesting contender on her debut for Philip Rothwell, while others for the shortlist are Might Be The One, top-weight Bearami Creek and Terence O'Brien's Ellies Rock. Market trends should be watched in regards to the six handicap debutants in the line-up.
Prediction : 1st Wild Wild Wind 2nd Ode To Joy 3rd Volez Vous

GINO BELLA would be a deserving winner of this competitive affair. Successful in a point-to-point at Damma House in November, she has been placed three times in four track starts since. Narrowly beaten into second at Cork on her latest outing and drawing well clear of the third, the first-time tongue-strap that worked there remains in place. Disappointing when bidding to complete a hat-trick at Fairyhouse in February, Our Uncle Jack warrants the utmost respect, while dual winner Silent Selector and Marlpark, who was second here last week, are other leading hopes. Handicap debutant Blue Train is totally unexposed in this discipline.
Prediction : 1st Gino Bella 2nd Our Uncle Jack 3rd Blue Train

An 82,000-euro Goffs Arkle Sale purchase and a half-brother to Grade 2 winner Colonel Mustard, it's difficult to look beyond WORLD AS ONE. One of three debutants in the line-up, the German-bred five-year-old represents the all-conquering Willie Mullins yard. Point-to-point winners Game Theatre and High Kick Kev are the obvious dangers. The latter was successful at Tallow when in the care of Garry Aherne and was subsequently purchased for 60,000 euros. Sold privately after his Turtulla win for Paul Power, Game Theatre has since joined Henry de Bromhead and, with John Gleeson aboard, he should be able to make his presence felt. Out of a three-time winning half-sister to Champ, Little John is the most interesting of the remainder.
Prediction : 1st World As One 2nd High Kick Kev 3rd Game Theatre