Hi all,
I’m off to Roscommon today for a few selections although the Irish track does have to pass a precautionary 8am inspection due to forecast heavy overnight rain.
Roscommon
High class hurdler Jason The Militant who missed the last winter jumps season returns in the Listed Lenebane Stakes (7.40). The rain has come at the right time for the 8-year-old who relishes the mud. Two from two on the flat with the latest of those wins coming in Listed company at Naas (heavy) last October. However, he does face several interesting rivals including recent winners Beamish & Fumato.
Fumato looked a nice staying prospect when winning a Leopardstown maiden (good) last month and if he handles today’s much softer ground should go well. Beamish, hails from the very inform Paddy Twomey yard who is 4-9 with his runners at Roscommon. The 4-year-old looked a smart prospect when winning at Killarney last month. That win came over 1m 6f but he should be inconvenienced by the drop back to 1m 4f on rain softened ground. He’s only had two career starts winning both and looks capable of holding his own in Listed company
Dha Leath made it 2-3 since joining the Gavin Cromwell yard when beating Bay Of Bengal at Gowran Park 22-days ago. The runner-up has given the form a good boast when winning at The Curragh at the weekend. She’s going the right way and although she got a 4lb rise in the weight for that win she remains on a competitive looking mark for the Connolly’s Red Mills Handicap (7:10).
The 1m 2f Dermot Hughes Car Sales Handicap (6:40). Herring Island the winner of Navan maiden (1m) on just his second juvenile start looks on a workable for handicap debut/seasonal return. He’s bred to appreciate 1m 2f+ and it was soft ground when he won at Navan. Elmos Fire produced a career best when getting off the mark at fifth attempt at Listowel last time. That maiden win came over a mile, but he should stay 1m 2f and he could be capable of more progress on just his second start in handicap company. Hymn Book Too has improved for the step up to 1m 2f+ on her last two starts. The 3-year-old finished a 5 ¼ length 3rd of 12 to subsequent Group 1 winner Above The Curve, the runner-up went onto win the Cheshire Oaks on her next start, before going to win a Tipperary maiden when stepped up to 1m 4f last time. The testing ground really suited her at Tipperary so the softer the ground the better for her now dropped back in trip again. Not sure about the trip for Mister Wilson but he’s respected on his 1 ½ length 2nd of 10 in the valuable Madrid Handicap at Naas on his penultimate start. The winner Markaz Paname went on to win a Group 3 on his nest start. The 3-year-old did run poorly at Haydock when stepped back up to a mile last time though. At least the ground will be in his favour and if his stamina holds out, he’s in the mix. Steps In The Sand has run better on her last two starts than her final positions suggest. She was hampered 1f out when 4th of 9 (1m 4f) here two starts back and then did best of those who raced prominently when a 1 ½ length 6th of 15 at Limerick last time. Three pounds out of the handicap here and really testing ground would be an unknown.
Betting Advice:
Roscommon
6:40 – 1pt win – Hymn Book Too – 8/1 – Gen and 1pt win – Steps In The Sand – 12/1 @ Bet365
7:10 – 1pt win – Dha Leath – 5/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
7:40 – 1pt win – Beamish – 4/1 @ Bet365
Cheers
John