Dundalk starts with a familiar sprint handicap and two regular course and distance specialists Majestic Timeline and Strategic Heights set the standard. They should blaze a trail but Oor Jock is the one that interests me. Give an easy time back off a break here last week behind Grey Danube, the 7yo is back to a mark only 1lb higher than when winning impressively at Leopardstown in August. Adrian McGuinness gelding missed the kick here last week, was never really put into the race and that can be forgiven, good sharpener fitness wise. Though more a 6f horse I rate his summer form better than some of the exposed winter form. Beat only 2.5l off 80 in September over 5f at the Curragh, 75 looks a winnable mark.
The 3yo auction maiden is a race for horses whose sires’ progeny made a median of no greater than 30k at the sales. Special Forces who was a 60k yearling purchase bucks the trend and the market is worth watching closely for the O’Callaghan trained debutante. Hat Alnasar ran well in 2nd here behind Song of Love and has a chance while Maronella ran an encouraging debut at Navan for Johnny Murtagh. Period Piece is overdue a win however and brings the best form to the table. Though 2nd on all three starts there looks nothing quirky about the Harrington filly, just a slow learner and last day ran into a good one. Her 6l beating of 78 rated Maira into 3rd last time and 3l ahead of 76 rated handicap winner Sheeba time before looks good enough here.
Have a Nice Day was an agonising 2nd last Friday for the column. Grey Danube beat him a half a length and they pulled 5 lengths clear of the rest. I was far from delighted with the trip the Sabrina Harty gelding had 3 and 4 wide the whole way, most evident at the false rail on turn for home where the winner nicked a few lengths by taking the shorter route. Up five pound for not winning is not ideal, but I’m happy he was the moral winner and pulled clear of a fair field. Have a Nice Day is in the form of its life, over preferred trip and is the class act in this field. Sometimes it pays to do the obvious.
Clutchingatstraws was a facile winner of a mile maiden here before Christmas. Marise (3rd) gave that form a solid look by winning her maiden here last week. The O’Callaghan trained filly was an eye-catcher in the Birdcatcher handicap in Naas over a trip too short off 79. The filly normally finds plenty for pressure in her races but noticeably travelled with fierce ease last time during the race, suggesting she had loads in hand and the mile trip was much more to her liking. I suspect 80 still underrates her at a mile and above.
Augustine Leahy could make the long trip up with Trade Marked if getting into the 10f 47-65 handicap which has received 33 entries. I’ve been looking forward to this 4yo stepping back up to 10f after a few conspicuous runs over a mile. A mark of 60 seems entirely feasible after 3 good runs in 3rd over a mile in Listowel and twice here. He was a good 2nd in Fairyhouse over 10f to a higher rated rival who just got away from him early. A chance is taken on fitness after a 91 day break but a win can’t be far away.
Gordon Elliot looks to hold sway in the 10f maiden and 12f handicap to conclude the card with Cape Glory, The Game Changer and Knight’s Parade all entered. Horses more familiar to National Hunt fans. Elliot has a fine team assembled to head for Cheltenham in a fortnight, Don Cossack being the star in the Ryanair. As festival fever builds why not join Kingbet for our Cheltenham Preview Evening.
It is being held in Gleesons on Wednesday the 4th of March at 8pm in Drogheda. MC will be Will Reilly. Panellists include jockeys Ger Fox (Noel Meade) and Andrew Lynch; both in the winners of late. Tony Keenan a form expert who writes a column for Betfair and Racing Ahead and myself to give out the enhanced prices and free bets! On the night Gleesons will give away a trip for two the Punchestown festival. See you there.
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