Hi all,
A barren week on the winner’s front. Leaving just Thurles to change that. I have a couple of big priced each way selections from Irish venue today.
Thurles
2:30 – Enjoy D’allen won a Fairyhouse novice chase 8-days ago. Up 8lb for that win but capable of more improvement and the cheekpieces left off last time return. Big chance of back-to-back wins.
Key Commander won at the fourth attempt over fences when winning here over 3m 1f last month. Seemed to find the step up in trip to his liking that say and has been hiked up 12lb for that win. There should be more to come from the 6-year-old but I’m not sure a drop in distance is a positive.
You must go back to 2015 for Kitten Rock’s last win but he hasn’t been running to badly of late and I don’t think a win is to far away. Best performance last season came at this venue over an extended 2m last February Not sure he wants this far though.
Cooldine Bog has been running in much better races over 3m + on his last two starts. The 8-year-old’s best run over fences came over around this distance when 2nd of 12 at Fairyhouse back in September. Probably wouldn’t want heavy ground but a reproduction of his Fairyhouse performance puts him bang in the mix.
1pt each way – Cooldine Bog – 16/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes (both paying 4 places 1/5 odds)
4:00 – Whatstoknow won a maiden hurdle here last February before finishing eighth in the Supreme at Cheltenham. Returns to hurdling after two starts over fences and must be respected on his handicap debut.
Gold Speed a winner at Fairyhouse. 7lb lower, in September, ran just as well in defeat when 4th of 20 behind the improving Master McShee at Leopardstown over Christmas. This is a drop-in class for the 8-year-old and he’s a contender.
Strange Notions won a C&D maiden hurdle in March and was in contention when coming down at the last on her seasonal reappearance over C&D 35-days ago and the mare looks to have each way claims.
1pt each way – Strange Notions – 12/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
Cheers
John