Hi all,
After a profitable Chester Festival. It was back down to earth with a bang on Saturday. No excuses there were some poor selections and some races I just shouldn’t have got involved in at all.
I read most of the big races badly, failing to add Cape Byron to the betting portfolio for the Victoria Cup was the biggest mistake. In his case I was expecting much softer ground than the race was run on.
Hey, that’s horse race betting one day you are up and the next you’re down.
There’s some excellent racing across Europe on Sunday. Over in France it’s their Guineas Weekend with the French versions of the 1,000 & 2,000 Guineas being held on the same day at Longchamp. Over in Ireland we have another Derby Trial with the Group 3 Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial Stakes at Leopardstown.
It’s also the start of yet another racing festival this one is at Killarney who host their three-day May Festival. I have put two races under the microscope.
Leopardstown
3:25 – Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial – 1m 2f
Surely Aidan O’Brien isn’t going to win yet another Derby Trial is he? Well he has the odds-on favourite in the shape of the recent Group 3 Ballysax winner Broome. If there is one horse in the field who could beat him and possibly become a genuine Derby contender, it could be the Dermot Weld trained Rakan. The Sea The Stars colt out of an Oaks runner-up Tarfasha looked a pattern class colt in the making when his maiden here over a mile last October. After that race his trainer nominated this race as the colt’s main early season target. He’s bred for middle distances and bred to win a Classic. Trainer won this race last year and in 2014. I will take on the favourite with potentially Group 1 class Rakan.
Rakan – 7/1 @ Ladbrokes & William Hill
Killarney
3:15 – A field of 13 are set to go post for this valuable 2m 1f handicap hurdle. Four of the field are owned by J P McManus. You can give all his runners a decent chance. Of his foursome I just prefer the claims of Feeling The Love. The mare returned from a 245-day break to finish 7th of 25 at the Punchestown, beaten about 8 lengths. The 6-year-old does need good ground to be seen at her best as she showed last summer when winning three times between July & August, including C&D. Even off her career high mark she has each way claims provided the going stays good.
The other McManus runner to catch the eye is the intriguing Getaway Katie Mai. The 6-year-old won the Mares Bumper at last years Aintree Grand National Festival. She’s just had the two starts over hurdles the last of which was 150-days ago when she won a Tramore novices’ hurdle. Handicap debut today. Fitness shouldn’t be a problem as she won of a similar lay off in the past. Look capable of more improvement and could be well ahead of her official rating of 123. Best form so far has come on soft or heavy ground but if she handles this quicker surface would go close.
Ejayteekay, has been in great from since returning from a short break in February. The 6-year-old won at Navan on soft ground two starts back, off 8lb lower and then followed that up with a career best when runner-up at Ballinrobe 30-days ago. Looks capable of another big run here.
Ejayteekay – 8/1 @ BetVictor & Paddy Power
Feeling the Love – 12/1 @ Paddy Power & William Hill (both paying 4 places 1/5 odds)
Always check with an odds comparison service like Oddschecker to get the best prices available.
All selections win only unless indicated as each way.
Cheers
John