UK Horse Racing Tips: Cork

MINO DES MOTTES was well beaten in the Fred Winter at Cheltenham, but had previously shown nice form and now contests an ordinary maiden with Harry Cobden doing the steering. An AQPS bumper winner, he is no star but finished second in a useful maiden in February and a tongue-tie, which he previously wore when scoring in France, is reapplied. Hygge has also shown form and has solid place claims, while Bartholomew showed promise on his December jumps debut and now wears a first-time tongue-tie.
Prediction : 1st Mino Des Mottes 2nd Hygge 3rd Bartholomew

ABSURDE disappointed at Cheltenham, but had excuses and might just get the better of Galway Hurdle winner Ndaawi to score. Willie Mullins' eight-year-old has contested three Melbourne Cups and won the 2024 County Hurdle and while he struggled in the recent renewal at Cheltenham, he raced too keenly and erred at the opening flights. He will benefit from that reintroduction to hurdling and should settle better. Absurde and Ndaawi finished third and second respectively in the 2025 County Hurdle and although Ndaawi was also down the field at the Festival last month, just 1lb separates him and the selection on official ratings. The lightly-raced Soir De Garde might finish third.
Prediction : 1st Absurde 2nd Ndaawi 3rd Soir De Garde

KIMI DE MAI finished third in an ultra-competitive handicap at the Dublin Racing Festival in February and should get off the mark over hurdles here. A three-time French bumper winner, she has been slightly frustrating to follow since joining Willie Mullins, but has bumped into some capable types and a reproduction of her Leopardstown effort would see her take all the beating. Crystal Gold has some useful form and can finish second, while Courtmac Gesture has also been running quite well.
Prediction : 1st Kimi De Mai 2nd Crystal Gold 3rd Courtmac Gesture

SAINTE LUCIE met trouble at Cheltenham and drops in grade. The five-year-old had been well held in handicaps prior to last month's Martin Pipe, but performed better than her seventh-placing as she raced wide and got stopped more than once in the home straight. She has finished ahead of unexposed stablemate Larzac before and her rider is able to utilise his 5lb claim today. Larzac disappointed in a race which is working out nicely in December, but debuts in handicaps. Balko D'ange fell at Cheltenham but has form in good handicaps, while Coyote Spirit easily won a maiden hurdle at Navan. Ifallgoeswell debuts in a handicap, and Wholelotofbusiness reappears from a break.
Prediction : 1st Sainte Lucie 2nd Larzac 3rd Balko Dange

ONLYMAMMYCANLOVEME won a course handicap last month and might defy a 7lb hike in an open handicap. A point-to-point winner, the top-weight is now an able handicapper and although his rider is without his previous 3lb claim now, the seven-year-old should be suited by going back up in distance and he likes easy ground. Toor Khov finished second, a place ahead of Jeriko De Baune, here recently and both have obvious claims, while One And Only is 6lb higher than when scoring at Limerick last month. The veteran West Cork Wildway reverts from fences.
Prediction : 1st Onlymammycanloveme 2nd Toor Khov 3rd Jeriko De Baune

NOWWHATDOYOUTHINK is progressive and receives 12lb from top-weight Classic Getaway. The Ray Hackett-trained seven-year-old has notched wins in a point-to-point, bumper, maiden hurdle and beginners chase and ran well to finish second in a Grade 3 at Thurles. In that smart contest, the well-supported Jalila Moriviere finished third and Soldier In Milan was a notable fourth. Classic Getaway is a quality performer on his day, but was flattered by his proximity to winner Impaire Et Passe in the Red Mills Chase at Gowran as that race was slowly run. Dublin National winner Promontory has a little to find on ratings.
Prediction : 1st Nowwhatdoyouthink 2nd Classic Getaway 3rd Promontory

WINGMEN was well held at Cheltenham, but had previously bumped into some high-class rivals and is capable. Twice placed at Grade 1 level over hurdles, the eight-year-old finished behind high achievers Final Demand, Predators Gold and Kaid d'Authie in beginners chases and while slightly disappointing in a big-field handicap at Cheltenham, he is generally dependable. Principal rival Funiculi Funicula was himself Grade 1-placed last April and while he has run well in beginners chases, he finished a little further behind Final Demand than the selection last May. Ocastle Des Mottes and Mister Pink are long absent.
Prediction : 1st Wingmen 2nd Funiculi Funicula 3rd Ocastle Des Mottes

HARRY'S DIAMOND makes a belated debut aged six, but has a fine pedigree and represents Willie Mullins. Closely related to three black-type performers, she is from a quirky but talented family who often tend to race keenly and she will be ready for her debut. Lemmy Caution was well held at Fairyhouse but has nice ability, while the ex-Ted Walsh inmate Ellis Redding defeated a current stablemate and recent hurdle winner to land a Punchestown point-to-point in February. Too Hot To Trot finished second for Ciaran Fennessy on his November pointing debut and has joined leading connections.
Prediction : 1st Harrys Diamond 2nd Lemmy Caution 3rd Ellis Redding