At The Races

BANNTOWN GIRL gets the nod here over Urabamba. The selection was a good winner at Roscommon last month with her trainer Stephen 'Sonny' Carey later saying: "She jumps brilliantly." The daughter of Stowaway is a full-sister to Blackbow and she makes her debut over flights now. With Paul Townend booked to ride, she looks the one to side with. Urabamba, who has a mark of 104, has some decent placed efforts to his name and should give a good account of himself with Hugh Morgan taking five pounds off. Derrinlaur Bill won a bumper at Limerick in June of last year, but the form of that race has not worked out well and she is likely to need the run. Falcon Park ran very well on his penultimate start and while he disappointed since, he might be able to bounce back here. Others of note are Shamiyan and Raphael, with the later a five-time winner on the level.

• Top Tip: BANNTOWN GIRL (3)
• Watch out for: URABAMBA (8)

A case can be made for plenty of these. GOOD WORLD is probably one of the safer options and the Eoin Griffin trained gelding should give a good account of himself. Successful at the venue in May, he since went down by just a short head at Punchestown. He kept on well at the Co Kildare venue and so this step-up in trip to two-and-a-half miles should suit. Belles Benefit is given second preference. Trained by Sam Curling, the Leading Light five-year-old has some decent efforts to her name and makes her debut in handicap company now. Westernerona and Royal Recital both won last time out and it'll come as little surprise if either manage to follow-up here. Course and distance winner China Princess is another leading contender, while An Droichead Eile, with Paul Townend already booked to ride, would be a very significant addition to the field if getting in as second reserve.

• Top Tip: GOOD WORLD (2)
• Watch out for: BELLES BENEFIT (4)

CALL ME FREDDIE landed a major gamble at Cork in May and he bids to follow-up now for new connections. Off a mark of 85, the Black Sam Bellamy gelding prevailed by just a neck at the Mallow circuit and went up nine pounds for that success. Now in the care of Paul Nolan and owned by the NC Eightyeight Syndicate, it will be disappointing if the chestnut gelding fails to follow-up in a contest of this quality. Porky Rush has been placed on his last two starts and is given second preference with John Kirwan taking a valuable seven pounds off. Da Big Fella provided Eamon Courtney with his first winner when he dead-heated at Killarney last month and it would come as little surprise if he followed-up now. Lily Light Foot, Fredastare and Charlie Bit Me are other leading hopes.

• Top Tip: CALL ME FREDDIE (3)
• Watch out for: PORKY RUSH (1)

It might be a case of third time lucky for TURNPIKE TRIP at Wexford this summer. Third at Bettyville in June, the son of Champs Elysees was still in with every chance when falling three out on his most recent visit to the south-east venue. He since finished second to Druid's Altar at Limerick, with the third placed horse, Alice Avril, since giving the form a boost by winning at Roscommon on Tuesday. Roi De Dubai has filled the runner-up spot on his last two starts and he is given second preference. A winner of a point-to-point and successful three times over flights, the John McConnell trained gelding can be expected to go close. Whatsnotoknow has a rating 125 but he will need to bounce back from a disappointing display at Limerick on his most recent start. Ennemi Public and Secret Cargo both appear to have solid each-way claims.

• Top Tip: TURNPIKE TRIP (7)
• Watch out for: ROI DE DUBAI (5)

A winner over flights at Tipperary last month, SMITTY BACALL might be able to follow-up here. The Shay Barry trained ten-year-old beat the well-fancied Blackstair Rocco at the Limerick Junction venue and went up nine pounds for that success. He is rated eight pounds lower over fences and was a fast-finishing third on his most recent effort over the larger obstacles. Arch Melody is a dual course winner and while he has been disappointing of late, a return to Wexford might rekindle his enthusiasm for the game. Abraham and Marshalled both won last time out and are sure to have plenty of supporters, while Our Friend and Pat Coyne are other leading contenders.

• Top Tip: SMITTY BACALL (6)
• Watch out for: ARCH MELODY (11)

There was just half a length between them at Tramore last month, with Downthecellar getting the better of SHE TOPS THE LOT. The former was completing a hat-trick at the Co Waterford circuit, with his trainer Edward O'Grady later stating: "I'm delighted, he has exceeded expectations." The son of Arcadio is up twenty-two pounds since his initial win and the handicapper may well have his measure at this stage. A swing in the weights will help the selection who was making her handicap debut at Tramore. Mike O'Connor takes a valuable seven pounds off her back here and it'll be disappointing if she is not involved towards the business end. Eagle Moon, Western Sea and Josephina were all behind the aforementioned duo at Tramore and they re-oppose now. Josephina was third at the Graun Hill venue and it would come as little surprise if she managed to reverse the form. Epsion Du Chenet and Gold Sun are others for the shortlist.

• Top Tip: SHE TOPS THE LOT (2)
• Watch out for: DOWNTHECELLAR (4)

Willie Mullins has two reserves in the mix here and the complexion of the race will change if either get in. MALINA GIRL is guaranteed a run and the Gavin Cromwell trained four-year-old is the selection with Jamie Codd a positive jockey booking. A fast-finishing second on debut at Tramore, she was a bit disappointing when fourth on her second start at Cork. The daughter of Malinas had no luck in running when third at Killarney last month and she is fitted with cheekpieces for the first time now. Via Rosa has some solid form to her name and she is given second preference. The daughter of Milan is a half-sister to Kilmington Rose, a smart three-time winner in the UK for Paul Nicholls. Bessy Bradley and Slate Gray are other leading contenders. The former was a fine fourth on debut at Galway, while the Noel Dooly trained latter put in a fine performance to finish third on her first start at Clonmel in June.

• Top Tip: MALINA GIRL (9)
• Watch out for: VIA ROSA (8)