5.35pm Cork Tips & Betting Preview 23/03/2017

Eight runners go to post for this competitive handicap over three miles. With soft to heavy ground forecast it will take a bit of getting so we will look for a well handicapped horse. Read on for our full expert analysis, runner by runner guide and free tip for the race.

IN SUMMARY: Gordon Elliott is in the form of his life at present so Woodford Island merits plenty of respect. He has some very good handicap form in the book and Jack Kennedy is in the saddle. Local runner Vinnie Luck needs a market check but a chance is taken on top weight CAPTAINOFTHEFLEET who is well treated on the pick of his form. He is also the only course and distance winner in the field and he could be a touch of value in a competitive race.

1 CAPTAINOFTHEFLEET – Sole course and distance winner in the field and if he can recapture his best for for the Eamon O’Connell stable here, he will take the world of beating. The ten year old won here off a mark of 132 two yeas ago and the handicapper has given him a big chance here off 126, six pounds lower. Solid run in fourth at Naas off a pound higher last time out and looks the one to beat.

2 NOTWHATIAM – Surprise and impressive winner of a handicap at Gowran Park over two and a half miles in January off a mark of 115. He now has a ten pound higher mark to contend with and was tailed off on his only attempt at three miles so he looks up against it at the weights. Others are more likely to win.

3 WOODFORD ISLAND – Gordon Elliott is on the crest of a wave at present and everything he runs needs to be respected. Jack Kennedy takes the ride on this six year old who was midfield in the Pertemps Qualifier at Leopardstown when last seen. He stays this far and this is a much easier race than some of the contests’ he ran in lately so he is a live each way contender.

4 TARABIYN – Ex Willie Mullins trained horse who is now in the hands of the Galvin stable. He could only muster up one victory for the best trainer in Ireland from fourteen starts so that would raise alarm bells for us here. Beat fifty-eight lengths on his latest start, he has a lot to prove today.

5 VINNIE LUCK – Michael Winters is based in Cork and he loves a local winner so this runner needs a good market check. The lightly raced eight year old won a heavy ground two mile chase in Sligo last year but was rather disappointing over this course and distance when third in a weak novice hurdle last time out but still has time on his side.

6 HOLLOW TREE – Bitterly disappointing run at Thurles last time out when sent off a warm 7/2 chance after a good run at the same track prior when second over three miles for the Michael Hourigan yard. He has work to do to reverse the form with Rue Hill based on their two recent meetings and looks opposable.

7 WESTERNER POINT – The form horse in the race and definitely the one that could progress stepped up in trip but he has never tackled a trip further than two and a half miles and this will take a bit of getting on the forecast soft to heavy ground. A winner of three of his last four starts, all of which were over fences, he has to be respected back over hurdles and looks an interesting runner off a lowly weight.

8 RUE HILL – We tipped this horse last time out who disappointed us when sent off a well backed favourite at Thurles over a trip just shy of three miles last time out. He stayed on really well over two and a half to finish second at Gowran Park on his previous start but certainly didn’t get home last time out so the three miles here has to be a worry. Live contender with a bit to prove.