UK Horse Racing Tips: Cork

Killarney trainer Eamon Courtney landed this maiden two years ago and can take home the prize again courtesy of OAKS SOLDIER. The six-year-old ran his best race so far when narrowly beaten in a handicap over a similar trip at Thurles and can put his proven stamina to good use here. Strange Currency was disappointing last time but the form of his previous third at Punchestown has worked out well. Belladona Princess was let down by her jumping when runner-up over 3m at Limerick but the addition of cheekpieces might aid her cause.
Prediction : 1st Oaks Soldier 2nd Strange Currency 3rd Belladona Princess

DEISE CRYSTAL looks capable of picking up a race or two after a promising run at Naas. On his first start out of maiden company, the five-year-old travelled well before finishing fourth behind a well-treated winner. He should be all the better for the experience gained in that outing and has a pull at the weights with King Bob, who was runner-up on that occasion. The latter has been placed on his last three starts and is likely to be involved at the business end again. Only For Our Man was runner-up in his first handicap and is now 3lb higher. He drops back in trip from 2m3f and may be vulnerable as a result.
Prediction : 1st Deise Crystal 2nd King Bob 3rd Only For Our Man

A course winner over hurdles, SKY LORD has shown useful form in novice company over fences and can make a winning start in handicaps. Henry de Bromhead's charge was well supported in the market when third in a rated novice at Down Royal in January. The stable is in better form now and the seven-year-old should be capable of producing a stronger finishing effort. Gavin Cromwell runs three and handicap debutant Glenashling may be his best hope having shown up well in novice events. A Listed handicap winner over hurdles, The Busy Fool ran well when third to an Irish Grand National contender at Naas and may improve for the application of cheekpieces.
Prediction : 1st Sky Lord 2nd Glenashling 3rd The Busy Fool

Runner-up in a beginners' chase at Killarney when trained by Henry de Bromhead, THE GREAT UNKNOWN has won nine of her 11 starts since going point-to-pointing for Sam Curling. The seven-year-old is unbeaten in four starts this winter and this looks a great chance for her to gain a first win under Rules. Sworn Duty has won twice from four starts in points and can contend on her first racetrack outing. Lucy Wang was second in a Leopardstown maiden hurdle as a three-year-old and has landed two of her last three starts in point-to-points. She is fitted with a tongue-tie for her return to action under Rules.
Prediction : 1st The Great Unknown 2nd Sworn Duty 3rd Lucy Wang

HEARTS AND SPADES had some reasonable form over hurdles a couple of years ago and has done well in point-to-points this winter. After four wins on the spin, he was narrowly defeated by the prolific Winged Leader at Portrush nine days ago and there was little wrong with that effort. He is fitted with a hood for the first time. Fourth in this last year, Dromleigh was only beaten a head by the selection at Dromahane in December and has won his last two starts. Focus Point and Sampoet filled the placings in a 2m4f contest at Down Royal last month and they both make the shortlist, with the latter now tried in cheekpieces for the first time.
Prediction : 1st Hearts And Spades 2nd Dromleigh 3rd Sampoet

Former leading novice hurdler ASIAN MASTER can land a first Rules win since January 2024. Following that impressive success at Navan, the gelding went on to finish an honourable fourth in the Supreme Novices' Hurdle at Cheltenham. The nine-year-old has added a further two wins since returning to point-to-points and he looks the one to beat. A Grade 2 winner over fences in his prime, Journey With Me should be suited to this intermediate trip. In Excelsis Deo also boasts claims if his jumping stands up.
Prediction : 1st Asian Master 2nd Journey With Me 3rd In Excelsis Deo

Local rider Maxine O'Sullivan can win this on the Tony Martin-trained KILL VANHOWE. Runner-up on his point-to-point debut at Cragmore in January, the five-year-old went one place better when making the breakthrough at Oldtown the following month and the gelding looks sure to play a leading role. A consistent six-year-old, Sharp As Glass shouldn't be far away. Runner-up in a Killarney bumper last May, the Sam Curling-trained six-year-old has been placed on all six starts in point-to-points. Boundfornowhere is also considered.
Prediction : 1st Kill Vanhowe 2nd Sharp As Glass 3rd Boundfornowhere

TINTARA can make a winning debut for Gordon Elliott. Runner-up in a point-to-point at Ballycrystal in January, the form of that race has been well advertised by the third horse subsequently. A winner of her only point-to-point start to date, Born Believing has to be respected on her Rules debut. Dromahane point-to-point winner Wilton Mills Trier should also be capable of making her presence felt.
Prediction : 1st Tintara 2nd Born Believing 3rd Wilton Mills Trier