Hi all,
I have a couple of fancies today. One runs at Ayr and the other at Cork.
Ayr
1:35 – Blind Beggar finished a respectable 2½ lengths 4th of 12 at York’s Ebor Meeting. That was over 5f and he’s a better horse over 6f. He drops a couple of notches in class here and will be a popular choice.
At bigger odds it may pay to have Pivoting onside. The ground has eased to soft at Ayr and the 3-year-old’s sole career win came on soft ground at Pontefract last autumn. Far and away his best performance this season came at Chester on good to soft in the spring. He’s returned from a 3-month absence with a couple of low-key efforts, albeit the last one came on good to firm at Doncaster. He seems to me to be slowly coming back to fitness and comes into the race fresher than most.
1pt each way – Pivoting – 16/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes (both paying 4 places 1/5 odds)
Cork
4:35 – The lightly raced River Derwent looks sure to have his supporters after his 2nd of 11 at Galway earlier this month. Handicap debut off what looks a workable mark if he handles today’s easier surface.
Baseman ran Moddy Poddle to ¾ length at the Galway Festival on his handicap debut but was disappointing behind that one at Killarney last time.
Coill Na Sionainne is handicapped up to her best but if she gets the forecast strong pace to chase could get into the places.
No More Porter is a useful handicapper at his best as he showed when beating 12 rivals at the Curragh last month. Has been raised 2lb for that success but Dylan Browne McMonagle takes off 3lb which negates his weight rise. Likes an easy surface and shouldn’t be far away.
Maud Gonne Spirit won a 7f handicap at the Galway Festival (good to soft) and has remained in form since. Did best of those held up when a 2 ¼ length 5th of 8 at Listowel last week. The filly didn’t get the best of runs in the straight that day so her effort can be marked up slightly. Scott McCullagh takes off a useful 5lb which should bring her into the mix.
2pts win – No More Porter – 4/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
1pt win – Maud Gonne Spirit – 10/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
Cheers
John