UK Horse Racing Tips: Sligo

2025 Dawn Run runner-up SIXANDAHALF didn't go on as expected last season and was last seen finishing down the field in the County Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. However, she has had a decent break since and the switch to fences might see her in a better light. Future Prospect has been knocking on the door since falling on her chase debut and is respected, while Listed hurdle winner Amen Kate is another with the potential to improve in this sphere.
Prediction : 1st Sixandahalf 2nd Future Prospect 3rd Amen Kate

A Grade 1 winner as a juvenile hurdler, HELLO NEIGHBOUR seemed to need a bit of time last season but improved with racing and landed a valuable prize at Punchestown. Always well regarded by his trainer, it would be no surprise if he did well in this discipline. Bowensonfire would have strong claims on his Galway second but was a fair distance behind Galway Hurdle winner Putapoundinthejar when the pair met at Killarney and Tony Martin's gelding might prove to be the main threat.
Prediction : 1st Hello Neighbour 2nd Putapoundinthejar 3rd Bowensonfire

Several of these arrive having won on their latest start and the vote goes to PHOENIX ARIZONA. The seven-year-old won at the second time of asking over fences at Ballinrobe and remains open to improvement following a 7lb rise. Miners Bridge returned to fences and won nicely at Killarney and Sam Curling's gelding is respected dropping back in trip. Soldante and Mic Drop head the remainder.
Prediction : 1st Phoenix Arizona 2nd Miners Bridge 3rd Soldante

DOWN AROUND has won two of his last three starts over timber and could be an exciting recruit to the chasing ranks assuming he continues to progress for the powerful Gordon Elliott yard. 1-1 over this trip and 2-4 since joining Elliott, the nine-year-old has plenty of upside and gets the nod ahead of Affinity Rock and Only For Our Man.
Prediction : 1st Down Around 2nd Affinity Rock 3rd Only For Our Man

SWING TIME will likely be a warm order for this handicap chase and rightly so judged on an impressive Ballinrobe success on just his second outing over the larger obstacles. 13lb higher in the ratings, that hefty hike might not be enough to prevent him going in again such was the deep impression he created in winning by some 20 lengths. Hurricane Honey and Kalsman are the dangers.
Prediction : 1st Swing Time 2nd Hurricane Honey 3rd Kalsman

STRAIGHT HOME is Willie Mullins' second-string and is a two-race maiden over fences, but has shown form in this sphere. She returned following a 426-day layoff when well held at Tramore in August but showed improvement at Ballinrobe earlier this month, where she raced quite wide. She receives 13lb from stable companion Soir De Garde, who himself finished third at Grade 3 level at Galway in July, so should get involved. Chanceawetmorning was an unlucky last fence-faller at Kilbeggan recently and receives 6lb from the top three runners, while Le Coq Hardi disappointed at Wexford and is tried in a first-time tongue-tie.
Prediction : 1st Straight Home 2nd Soir De Garde 3rd Chanceawetmorning

CORNMARKET has been competing well both on the Flat and over hurdles, and is now well treated on his return to chasing. The selection scored over a staying distance on the Flat at Clonmel recently and while he has raced just once over fences, that experience was gained at this meeting last year when running satisfactorily over a shorter distance. He is rated 5lb higher over hurdles and today's rider claims 7lb. Good ground-performer Western Model has been running well, although is an 11-race maiden over fences. Pourquoi Poi has been placed on his last two chase outings and is entitled to be in the mix.
Prediction : 1st Cornmarket 2nd Western Model 3rd Pourquoi Poi