Former Group One-winning jockey Fran Berry previews the latest Irish action
Former Group One-winning jockey Fran Berry previews the latest Irish action

Free racing tips: Fran Berry preview ahead of Sunday card at Cork


Fran Berry is on duty for Racing TV at Cork this afternoon and he's got two each-way bets on the card including Sage Advice.

Recommended bets, Sunday August 16

1pt e.w. Improving in 3.20 Cork at 13/2

1pt e.w. Sage Advice in 3.55 Cork at 9/1

For details of advised bookmakers and each-way terms, visit our transparent tipping record


Yielding ground at Cork today where there's a seven-race card and it should be noted that the first three races are to be run over six furlongs and 100 yards on the round course.

They have a straight seven furlongs there but they going round the bend today so it's obviously a really short run to the turn in and you'd have thought a low draw and a good early pitch could be pretty crucial.

I'm struggling to find an angle into the first while it's a small field for the second but in the 3.20 I feel IMPROVING (13/2 General) could be well named. He's gone up 5lb for finishing a head second at Naas where the front two were a little way clear.

He travelled really well throughout, just got run out of it late on. He's got a great draw in stall four and there's plenty of pace on too which should suit.

The horse copes well with a bit of dig in the ground and he's actually still well handicapped, in spite of the recent rise, if you can back to his best form last year. He's also run well in a higher-class handicap here last October (straight track), a race that worked out well so there's loads to like.

The bet I'll be having is in the EBF Median Auction Maiden at 3.55 where the favourite is Simply A Breeze. He might have had one or two training issues given the truncated nature of his career.

Watchmen is a half-brother to Watch Me and could really enjoy the drop back to 10 furlongs having been tried over further last time, but the vote goes to SAGE ADVICE.

Joseph Murphy's horse has a couple of pounds to find with the pick of them but he shaped well in a couple of maidens, including a nice race at Leopardstown won by Aesop.

He then went into a top mile handicap at the Curragh and although only seventh there, he was beaten just three lengths and I felt he ran up to his mark at least. So I was surprised to see the handicapper drop him a pound.

He's a son of Make Believe and the step up in trip here is likely to play to his strengths.

There are question marks about those at the head of the market and I'm keen on him with bet365 9/1 at the time of writing.

Posted at 0948 BST on 16/08/20


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