Clutching at Straws

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.   

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1rPe0BtYvTA

Road to Riches

Cheltenham is under 3 weeks away now and while all the talk is of Willie Mullins, Co. Meath will be making their own raid on the Cotswolds in the shape of Noel Meade, Gordon Elliott and Tony Martin. Noel Meade in particular has a few very exciting prospects including Very Wood, Apache Stronghold, Wounded Warrior, Monksland, Muirhead, Aengus and big Gold Cup chance Road to Riches, not to mention the handicaps. Recently married Meade could have a honeymoon period in Cheltenham. What a thrill it would be to see the man from the North East train the winner of the blue riband event on the Friday.

Kingbet are having up and coming jockey from the Noel Meade stable Ger Fox to a Cheltenham Preview evening in Gleesons in Drogheda on the 4^th of March at 8pm. He will be joined by Champion Chase winning jockey Andrew Lynch, form expert Tony Keenan and myself to hand out the free bets and enhanced prices! MC for the night will be Will Reilly. Do join us for an evening to look forward to the big races and try to find a few winners.

Dundalk seen its fair share of celebrations last Friday night with popular local winners Share a Secret and Headlong. A great cheer went up when the Dunleer trained and Dromiskin owned Headlong held on in the last. None of my selections are locally trained this week, but if I find a winner or two, we won’t mind where they’re from.

Tubeanie is a horse who’s had plenty of tries to break the maiden tag, 14 to be exact. But another chance is taken with the 4yo filly as her last run in France would be good enough to win this ordinary heat, the first at Dundalk. Amy Weaver trained her to be 2^nd in Chantilly with the application of first time blinkers and first start on all weather. The racing post gave her a rating of 79 for that effort which would be more than good enough for this. Before that she was twice second in England off 59; two starts ago edging out Bishan Bedi into 3^rd at Yarmouth. Denis Cullen now trains Tubeanie and if she is not tired from her travels, she may go one better than the trainer’s Whippers Boy here a fortnight ago. 

32 are entered for the 47-65 7f handicap on the card, only 14 can run. 2 darts are thrown to hit the winner. Lucky Boo has very poor form on paper. Rated as low as 44 now a leap of faith is taken with this 6yo mare. She’s had excuses for nearly all of her runs at Dundalk though, including when nearly falling early on here on the 30^th of January. Beat only 3l the last day behind Elusive in Paris; she came from last off a slowly run pace, was hampered 2f out and stayed on eye-catchingly to suggest a win soon is not beyond her. Doonard Prince ran in that same race and had an extremely wide trip throughout. The 6yo gelding wasn’t beaten far back in October here off 70 and now runs off 62. This course and distance winner is the type at a big price to go close if getting a nice inside draw.

Have a Nice Day remains on 73 after finishing 2^nd to a highly progressive Togoville on his last start over a mile. He now drops to 7f, the distance all his 4 wins have come over and the Sabrina Harty gelding could be value against some recent winners like Have a Great Day and past winners of this race Fastidious and Indian Landing. Lifting Me Higher ran a satisfactory race first time out here behind Arif under hands and heels riding. The well-bred Sea the Stars filly should improve plenty for the outing and her shrewd trainer won this maiden last year with American Girl.

There are two difficult handicaps and a Qualified Riders race to conclude the card. Asian Wing is one I liked in the 12f race. On his first start for J Feane at the end of January he ran an encouraging race, just letting the race develop in front of him turning in and stayed on well at the finish. His new trainer was 9/30 in 2014 while his old handler 0/10 at the track. Asian Wing was a course and distance winner in 2013 off 59 and now runs off 48. The 6yo showed himself to be in good heart the last day and the new trainer may spark enough life in him to win such a race. 

Carlingford Lough raises the roof

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 3^rd 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 2^nd to Norville here last time. He waited for a run 2f down then and finished best; the 3^rd and 4^th, Fairy Foxglove and Mystical Past have both run well since in 2^nd 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 4^th 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 3^rd. 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. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zzDUi_L6MzA

Ballydoyle hard to beat

Spring has sprung but you’d be forgiven for not realising. All weather tracks serve a real purpose during cold snaps like this one where many jumps fixtures have been called off. Cheltenham anticipation is heightened through boring weeks for racing lovers. The prospect of four fantastic day’s racing in early March, some warmth and light keeps us going. Friday night at Dundalk never lets us down however.  

It’s only over a month to Cheltenham, and three months to the Guineas in Newmarket. That’s the timeframe Ballydoyle is working off. The battalion of blue bloods are sure to be going through their paces under the watchful eye of Aidan O’Brien, whatever the weather. The champion trainer has two significant entries this week; Song of Love and Bishan Bedi. It’s hard to imagine either of them beat after impressive recent displays despite not winning. Up in trip Song of Love should break the maiden tag while the tremendously unlucky in running Bishan Bedi should make amends with a clear run in the mile handicap. They will be prohibitively priced though and I’ll try and dig a little deeper to find a fair priced winner.  

Pencil Hill is an interesting runner in the sprint handicap, the first race on the card. Tracey Collins has a fine record at Dundalk, Indian Landing obliging last week and her 10yo starts his 2015 campaign here. The acclamation gelding has a good record fresh; winning first time out, on his first start in 2012 and 2013 at Dundalk. Down to his lowest rating of 72 since winning here three years ago he appeals in a race where the form is starting to look stagnant between the winter regulars. Pencil Hill ran well last summer in defeat. An exceptional eye-catcher behind Tylery Wonder up the Curragh in August and only beaten a 1.5l on his last run when on the wrong side of the track off 76.  

The 6f maiden looks terrible race for those that have run and we don’t how good the unraced Halford entry is. Cutting Corners is the selection after her somewhat promising debut behind Dark Alliance here in November. A never nearer 3rd that day, the 2nd and 4th; Balmont Blast and Robin’s Choice have since won maidens here upped in trip. The Mulvany mare was slow away first time out, squeezed back on the run to the first bend but was noticeable coming home well from an unpromising position. Have a Great Day sets the standard but hasn’t been seen for a while and was regressive then. Cutting Corners may provide an each way alternative at a price.  

The 7f apprentice handicap looks very difficult to solve at entry stage. Horses I like may well take each other on up front in a pace duel include Alfaayza, Enigma Code and Tom Dooley and hence I’m not as keen on them. They all have ability to win a race like this if things fall right. The selection though is Elusive in Paris. So elusive is the 6yo he’s escaped the winners circle since 2012 though threatening to win on numerous occasions. Apprentice handicaps are ideal for this horse as he doesn’t really respond to a strong drive anyway. Pace to run at should suit this bridle merchant and a significant drop in class from the last day may be the necessary ingredients for a long awaited success.  

        

Song of Love will be near impossible to beat in the mile maiden. Hat Alnasar may be an each way alternative though after a fine debut for maiden maestro Mick Halford. The Moss Vale colt was slowly away and to the rear behind Charlie Bear on his only start. He did good late work down the straight under hands and heels riding finishing 6th to suggest that the next day he would improve a lot for the run. Halfords runners when weak in the betting first time out and run well strike me as horses that will improve a lot for the experience. He showed enough ability late on then to say he’ll get involved here, Sheeba and Period Piece has upheld the form since. 

Elsewhere on the card it will be interesting to see whether Ger Lyons works the oracle with Prairie Rose in the mile mares maiden. She looked a difficult ride in the UK, very keen sort who won’t be helped by front running Singapore Secret in the line-up. I’d like to see Maontri bounce back to form to give Bishan Bedi a race in the 8.35. The last provides a familiar match-up between Sharjah and Ned’s Indian, Dundalk’s answer to Grundy and Bustino.