What more is there left to say on the greatest jump jockey
the sport has ever seen. A P McCoy has rewritten the history books. I was lucky
enough to be at Leopardstown on Sunday for what turned out to be the McCoy show
and the crowd showed him the admiration of which he has earned in riding over
4300 winners. I’d advise anyone to make it to Navan or Punchestown or
Cheltenham and see the greatest in action before he departs.
Jim Bolger was one of Anthony’s first mentors and he has a
few entries in Dundalk this Friday night. Family Pride is of interest in the
7f 3yo handicap for the Wexford man who also mentored Aidan O’Brien. The colt
is 3lb lower than when beaten a length by Dalewari here in a Nursery in
November, he was ran down in the final furlong that day after going too fast
early and running out of steam. Ten days later over 7f he ran a mess of a race
under Kevin Manning when slowly away, wide and keen for most of the way before
finishing tamely. A good draw and a handy lead could see Family Pride taking
this. Of the others Sea of Blue is bred to be better than a modest rating of 59
while Sixtyfiveroses remains of serious interest for J Levins but I’m guessing
up in trip is the plan for a first win.
Catwilldo is given another chance in the first. The 47-65 5f
heat is a drop in class for the Garvan Donnelly trained 5yo mare and she gets a
7lb pull on Boughtforasong from 2 starts ago. She won impressively the last day
but a combination of down to 5f and the change in weights is enough to prefer
Catwilldo at the likely bigger odds. The entry from England Salvado has looked
tricky in headgear in the past and one to be against if short odds. Tony
Carroll also has three entries in the 6f race and whatever he runs should be
hard to beat.
The Elusive Pimpernel Race over 7f is the quality event of
the night. 3 previous winners are entered in Charlie Bear, Five Claw and Song
of Love. Maronella 3rd first time out for Johnny Murtagh and a
couple of unraced horses from Levins and Marnane the only other potential
winners in the line-up. Charlie Bear has done the most so far form wise rated
92. Five Claw steps up to 7f; which on breeding should be no problem but looks
a free going sort who doesn’t lack pace. Song of Love beaten by Five Claw over
6f enjoyed the step back up to a mile to win here last week. Maronella is in
receipt of 6lb from the trio who’ve won a race. Prices will dictate but Five
Claw looks one with bags of potential and class and is with the right
trainer in Halford to settle and improve him.
25 horses are entered in the mile handicap and 2 are on my
radar to win a race in this bottom grade. Share a Secret and Gold
Tantrum are both rated 47 and have run well recently without winning.
Gold Tantrum is an 8yo who travels noticeably well in his races and was a good
2nd to Norville here last time. He waited for a run 2f down then and
finished best; the 3rd and 4th, Fairy Foxglove and
Mystical Past have both run well since in 2nd to uphold the form.
Share a Secret didn’t get the clearest of runs down the inside rail behind
Elusive in Paris last week and was only beaten 2l, yet dropped a pound for her
efforts. Up to a mile is no concern for her and both these hold up types should
get plenty of cover with the likes of Stoichkov in the field to go a good
gallop.
Colla Pier was an eye-catcher the last day finishing a flying 4th
behind Pepparpot from the rear in a race that suited to be up with the pace.
Going up to 12f should be fine and the Hawk Wing mare remains feasibly
handicapped off 58. In the last I’ll take a flyer with Tennesse Waltz. Older staying maidens are dreadful races this
time of year and don’t take much winning. This cheap purchase from a small
stable ran well on debut coming from last turning in to finish 3rd.
Saga Diamond was 4l ahead then but I’m not sure she wants a step up to 10f like
the selection. Of those that have ran there is nothing to fear and the price should
more than compensate for chance taken on this gelding to improve on its second
start with loads of stamina in the pedigree.
