Hi all,
A tidy profit on Saturday which could have been even better if Defuture Is Bright had held on at Haydock. On to Sunday and it’s day two of the Irish Grand National Meeting at Fairyhouse and there’s also a decent jumping card at Cork. I have had a look at today’s two big handicaps.
Fairyhouse
4:25 – BoyleSports Novice Handicap Chase (Grade B) – 2m ½ f
Jerandme made it 2-2 over fences when winning at Sligo over an extended 3m in September. At his best on good ground, he’s back from a 202-day break which shouldn’t be negative as he’s 2-2 when returning from a 121-day break. Trainer Noel Meade saddled the 2018 winner.
Jessica Harrington trained the 2019 winner and she got two entries this year. Exit Poll & Jungle Junction. The latter got of the mark at the fourth attempt over fences when winning a Naas beginners’ chase three weeks ago. Handicap debut and can go well if as effective on a sounder surface. Like his stablemate Exit Poll is making his handicap chase debut. The 7-year-old put in a good jumping display to win a Leopardstown novice chase 27-days ago. All three of his career wins have come on yielding or good to yielding so no problem with the drying ground and he’s a winner here over hurdles.
Steer Clear form figures since returning to action this season are 1U1. The latest of those wins came when the 8-year-old made all to win a Leopardstown novice chase 28-days ago. Up 10lb for his latest win but there could more to come on ground that will suit.
Verdict: Jerandme needs good ground but can’t be ruled out if getting it. Slight preference for Exit Poll and Steer Clear.
1pt win – Exit Poll – 13/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
1pt win – Steer Clear – 8/1 @ Paddy Power & Betfair Sportsbook
Cork
4:05 – O’Dwyers Steel Dundrum Easter Handicap Hurdle (Grade B) – 2m 3f
De Name Escapes Me won the November Handicap at Naas on the flat last season and then finished 3rd of 20, behind recent Stayers Hurdle winner Flooring Porter, at Navan a month later. The latter run came over an extended 3m but there could be a strong pace on so his stamina could come into play.
Crossed My Mind won this race in 2019, off 6lb lower. He’s been in good form over fences this season, winning twice and was still in contention coming to the last in a valuable handicap chase at the Dublin Racing Festival. The 9-year-old seemed not to stay the extended 2m 5f at Leopardstown. Simon Torrens takes off a handy 5lb.
Zoffanien a comfortable winner at Naas on handicap hurdle debut two starts back didn’t jump with much fluency when 8th of 22 in the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle at Cheltenham and in the circumstances did well to get as close as he did. Today’s longer distance could suit and he would be a danger to all if getting into the race (second reserve).
West Cork Wildway seemed to enjoy the “hustle n bustle” of a big field handicap when 4th of 20 at the Dublin Racing Festival. Didn’t build in that promise when only 4th of 8 in a Thurles Grade 3 Today’s longer trip should suit, as will a return to handicaps.
Botani was an eyecatcher when 5th of 20 in a competitive mares’ only handicap hurdle at the Dublin Racing Festival. She got slightly hampered two out and but for that would have finished closer. The form of the race is working out rather well. The winner followed up in the Coral Cup, the third Telmesomethinggirl won the mares’ novices hurdle at Cheltenham and the fourth Lady Breffini won a big handicap here yesterday.
Ballywilliam Boy was an impressive winner of a Naas maiden hurdle last time. That was a much-improved effort from the 6-year-old on just his third start over hurdles. The runner-up has gone in since so the form could be better than it looks. Lacks experience for his handicap debut but is going the right way.
Verdict: Crossed My Mindhas a good chance of second win in the race. The likes of Botani and Ballywilliam Boy are high on the shortlist.
1pt win – Crossed My Mind – 9/1 @ Paddy Power & Betfair Sportsbook
1pt win – Botani – 10/1 @ Bet365
Cheers
John