UK Horse Racing Tips: Tramore

Hasten Slowly had EXPOUND a little over two lengths back in third when winning at last year's August meeting here and reopposes on better terms. However, Expound has been shaping with more promise on the all-weather recently and is preferred on this occasion. A seven-time winner across both codes, Hasten Slowly hasn't been out of the first two in three visits here and will have plenty of supporters. War Correspondent put in plenty of good performances last year, including over fences, but has been off for six months. You Done Well is in off a competitive weight and is tried in new headgear.
Prediction : 1st Expound 2nd Hasten Slowly 3rd War Correspondent

CROOKED PATH has had plenty of chances and couldn't be described as progressive, but his mark of 112 sets the standard and he can put his experience to good use. The Waldgeist gelding ran another sound race when placed at Limerick last time and, after facing testing ground over the winter, might enjoy getting back on a better surface. Not beaten far in a bumper on his first outing, Hey Now should improve from his hurdling debut at Clonmel and is bred to appreciate better ground. Despite jumping poorly, the stoutly-bred Le Tatoue Madrik was third over 2m4f in February. He's now tried in cheekpieces, but may still find this too sharp a test.
Prediction : 1st Crooked Path 2nd Hey Now 3rd Le Tatoue Madrik

THE MONKEY POLE hasn't been seen since running poorly in a bumper in September, but is likely to be primed for this reappearance. Ridden by an inexperienced amateur when runner-up in maiden hurdles at Wexford and over a longer trip at this venue, he now has a professional in the saddle for the first time. Even though he might ideally prefer further, the Order Of St George gelding gets the vote. Time Is A Thief was too keen on his hurdling debut at Cork and had dropped out before coming down at the last. Well fancied on that occasion, he's now tried in a hood. Lord Lackendarra has shown ability in bumpers, including at this track.
Prediction : 1st The Monkey Pole 2nd Time Is A Thief 3rd Lord Lackendarra

PRINCE OF AIR is a course specialist, winning three times in nine visits to this undulating venue and running many good races in defeat. Although failing to fire at Cork recently, that effort will have left him primed for this assignment and with Shane O'Callaghan claiming a valuable 5lb, it'll be disappointing if he's not involved towards the business end. Second in a point-to-point when in the care of Colin Bowe and progressive since switching to handicap company, Sheer Raz is the second choice. A brother to A Dream To Share, it'll be interesting to see if first-time blinkers have the desired effect on Liberated Light, while others for the shortlist in this open contest are course winners Kimy and Stumblin In.
Prediction : 1st Prince Of Air 2nd Sheer Raz 3rd Liberated Light

Recent Limerick winner Dolly Watkins will understandably be a popular choice with punters, but it might be worth taking a chance on handicap debutant LAKEWOOD ROSE. While her recent form figures of '666' might discourage some, her latest effort came in a 21-runner contest, where she made some encouraging late headway. Owned, trained and ridden by Niamh Hennessy, the eight-year-old is in against her own sex and should be able to make an impact in a contest of this quality. Placed three times in succession before disappointing on her latest start at Fairyhouse, Yoursimplythebest warrants respect, while the returning Turkey And Ham, Clonmel runner-up Might Be The One and dual winner Lady Bluebird (first-time blinkers) are others of interest.
Prediction : 1st Lakewood Rose 2nd Dolly Watkins 3rd Yoursimplythebest

A switch to fences might bring out the best in DROP A THREAT. The winner of a point-to-point when in the care of Donnchadh Doyle, the seven-year-old has been disappointing since joining Willie Mullins. Well supported and not beaten that far when seventh of 18 on his most recent start at Cork, it'll come as a surprise if he's not involved towards the business end. A son of the great Solerina and twice successful over flights, Faceman is the second choice. A runner-up on recent starts at Fairyhouse and Downpatrick, Gordon Elliott's Gunnery Sergeant warrants the utmost respect. Magic Day, Ira Hayes and Jumping Susie, who starts off for Declan Queally, are others for the shortlist in this weak affair.
Prediction : 1st Drop A Threat 2nd Faceman 3rd Gunnery Sergeant

A dual course winner, including in this race in 2023, LIKABLE CHANCER should give a good account of himself. Third on his most recent visit to the seaside venue on New Year's Day, the 12-year-old might be able to bounce back from a disappointing effort over hurdles at Limerick. Second, third and fourth behind Live To Laugh at Thurles last month, Lake Chad, Long Road and Driveonwill all reoppose. The Philip Fenton-trained former is a three-time course winner and, despite failing to fire at Wexford on his most recent start, he might be able to uphold that Thurles form. Placed in four of his last eight outings, Oogum Boogum is sure to have plenty of supporters, while others capable of making an impact in this moderate affair are Rideau Canal, the long-absent Ballybrack Wood and top-weight Teescomponentsyess.
Prediction : 1st Likable Chancer 2nd Lake Chad 3rd Oogum Boogum

Now in the Irish National-winning silks of Paul Byrne, I WALKED THE LINE should prove hard to beat. Formerly in the care of Cormac Doyle, the five-year-old did well to win on his debut for Willie Mullins at Clonmel in January, beating nine-time point-to-point winner Magic Sadler into second. The youngest runner in the line-up here, he has the most scope for progression and could prove a class above his rivals. A close third in a bumper at Fairyhouse in November and the winner of three point-to-points, Catalani is the second choice. Providing Tadhg Stafford with his first track success at Cork on Easter Monday, Lawful Ruler warrants respect, while Tetratema Cup third Cold Old Fire and last year's winner Ta Se Rua are others for the shortlist.
Prediction : 1st I Walked The Line 2nd Catalani 3rd Cold Old Fire