3.50pm Cork Tips & Betting Preview 18/06/2017

This is the Cork Derby raced over 1m 4f, see our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: There are a few with chances in this but it could pay to stick with the useful SIKANDARABAD. He should relish this extra distance and remains relatively unexposed so he’s worth sticking with having only been raised 2lbs for a good third last time out. Sea The Lion has been pleasing since returning to action off a long break and he can chase the selection home off a nice mark.

1 SIKANDARABAD – Sole success came in a Galway maiden last July and he’s shown plenty of ability since the turn of the year. He finished third of twelve last time out when sent off the 9/2 favourite and he’s been nudged up 2lbs for that effort which shouldn’t be too detrimental to his chances now he’s stepped up in trip to race over 1m 4f. The yard haven’t been firing on all cylinders of late but he’s unexposed and should improve again. Respected.

2 LE VAGABOND – Has been run over hurdles on his last two starts and he returns to the flat today following a good second at Cork on his last start on the flat. He beat Sikandarabad by a slim margin that day and he’s also been raised 2lbs by the handicapper. This step up in trip should be ideal for him and he’s been a good servant to connections with 6 wins from 20 starts. Shouldn’t be far away.

3 RINGSIDE HUMOUR – Has looked slightly better on the All-Weather over the past year or so but he remains on a fair mark of 94 and is better off with Le Vagabond and Sikandarabad when the trio met at Cork in April. He needs to improve upon what he’s shown of late on the turf to be involved in this and others make slightly more appeal today based on form.

4 SPRUCE MEADOWS – Ran a nice race at the Curragh last time out to finish second of twelve, beaten 2 lengths by a fair sort. He remains on the same mark of 87 today which looks fair and he’s worth consideration in this given he’s unexposed at the 1m 4f trip which clearly suits based on his latest run. The yard have failed to send out a winner from 12 runners here but he’s on a winning mark and can’t be ruled out.

5 MOONMEISTER – Remains 6lbs higher than his last winning mark which came at Dundalk back in November 2015. He ran a fine race to finish second of eight in a Conditions event at Gowran Park last September but he failed to follow that up in two better races subsequently. Makes his first start of the season off a 3lb lower mark and he’s one to watch in the betting although he’s likely to need this run.

6 MAWAANY – Seeks a hat-trick today following two good runs this year. He broke his maiden back in January over an extended 1m 2f at Dundalk and he backed that up with a good handicap run at the Curragh next time out which came in May. He’s 8lbs higher today and this is tougher but he represents excellent connections and should have even more to offer at this 1m 4f trip so he must rank as one of the leading contenders.

7 MY BROTHER – Went close in a Class 4 handicap at Hamilton earlier this month off a 1lb lower mark and he’s stepped up again in trip today to 1m 4f for the first time. That should bring more out of him and he looks fairly treated at the weights although his sole success came in a maiden on Soft ground and he has something to prove. A 3lb claimer will help his chances but others make a bit more appeal on today’s terms.

8 ZAMIRA – Another hat-trick seeker in this following a handicap success last time out. He was given an excellent ride that day and his rider judged the pace perfectly having gone from the front and found plenty when asked. He’s been put up 4lbs in the weights today which will make life tougher but he’s one of the pace angles in this and would be dangerous with an easy time of things in front.

9 HERE FOR THE CRAIC – Dual-code performer who has run some moderate races in flat handicaps on his last two starts. He was beaten 4 1/4 lengths at the Curragh over today’s trip last month and he struggled to put in a better effort off one pound lower next time out. He’s now one pound lower than his last winning mark but he’s vulnerable to a few progressive sorts in this and is best watched today.

10 SEA THE LION – Lightly-raced 6yo who makes just his seventh career start today. He won a Navan handicap by a neck last time out over 1m 5f and he showed clear improvement from his return to action off a two and a half year absence. He clearly retains some ability but he’s up 8lbs in the weights which gives him plenty more to answer now back up in grade. The ground looks fine and he could be one of interest at a bigger price.

11 NEARLY FAMOUS – Finished 5 lengths behind Sea The Lion last time out and whilst he’s better off at the weights today he’s not certain to reverse the form having looked well-held. He will enjoy these conditions and the drop back in trip to 1m 4f should suit him better but a mark of 74 doesn’t look to give him much to work with although he does race for a yard operating at a good 15% strike rate at present.