Hi all,
I’m off to Killarney and Chelmsford for today’s selections.
Killarney
6:30 – My Minervina, trained by the inform Jessica Harrington, took advantage of the drop into claiming company when beating 14 rivals at Bellewstown 11-days ago. The first time cheekpieces she wore last time are retained and she be competitive back in handicap company. Previous course form is useful at a track like Killarney, and she handled the track well enough when a close-up 4th of 12 in a C&D maiden at this meeting last year. Another with an excellent C&D record is High Altitude. The 8-year-old has no form this season to recommend him but he’s 4-10 over C&D albeit all those successes came here at the August meeting, in fact all his five career wins have come in the month. A return to this venue could see him bounce back to something like his best albeit his win may come here next month.
On form My Minervina looks the more solid of the pair, but I won’t to keep High Altitude onside.
7:00 – Harry’s Legacy had no problems with quick ground when getting off the mark at the 6th attempt at Leopardstown (1m 5f) last month. He’s up 6lb for last time and in a better race but unexposed as a stayer.
Useful handicap hurdler Jesse Evans won a Navan maiden when last seen on the level back in October. The step up to 2m 1f should suit but he can be keen in his races so will likely need the race to be run at decent gallop. If he gets it he has to be respected on his handicap debut with Colin Keane staying in the saddle.
No Thanks was beaten a neck in this race 12 months ago off a much lower mark, but then went onto win at Galway Festival and Bellewstown. The 6-year-old is 7lb above his last winning mark, but this is first start on the flat this year and given we know he goes well over C&D he’s very much respected.
Monas Melody had Jesse Evans 8 ¾ length back in 4th when winning an amateurrider’s maiden I1m 6f) here 12 months ago and she gets 2lb from that one today. Sadly, she hasn’t come close to that form since either on the flat or over hurdles. The first time cheekpieces are added today and they need to work the oracle. If the headgear has the desired effect, she can out run her odds.
Useful hurdler Advantage Point has returned from a 683-day break in good order on two starts in maiden company. The 9-year-old should be suited by the step up to 2m+ and might be capable of better on his handicap debut.
Curious Bride put in a much better effort when 6 lengths 3rd of 9 over today’s trip at Limerick last time. The sound surface is in her favour and she has to have a chance in an open looking race.
Western Australia was a useful flat performer when trained by Aidan O’Brien. Off for 925-days he’s returned for a new trainer with a couple of low key efforts over hurdles. Its hard to know how much ability remains after his long absence but he has the back class to be involved.
Plenty in with a chance and I haven’t mentioned early bird favourite National Ballet. The 4-year-old won a Limerick handicap for Aidan O’Brien last July and makes seasonal/stable debut for Jessica Harrington and is respected although last season’s best form came on softer ground than seems likely today.
8:00 – Onameridance ran well over a mile here on his handicap debut two starts back and then improved for the step up to an extended 1m 2f when successful at Down Royal 24-days ago. The handicapper has hiked her up 16lb for her Down Royal win, but she looks an improver and today’s extra half furlong should suit her. The one most likely to serve it up to her is Secret Sea. The mare showed he was effective on good to firm when winning at Tipperary two starts back and on RPR’s ran just as well when a 2 lengths 3rd of 4 at Ballinrobe 22-days ago. Off the same mark here but Jamie Powell takes a useful 7lb off the 5-year-old’s back and she looks the one most likely to take advantage should Onameridance not perform.
There are three interesting handicaps on this evenings Chelmsford card with arguably the most competitive being the 1m 2f contest at 7:20.
Chelmsford
7:20 – Sir Michael Stoute has a strong hand here with Boss Power and Satono Japan. Ryan Moore has been booked for the former. The 5-year-old is 3-4 on the all-weather but he got the eye when 7th of 16 at Ascot two starts back and ran well enough when a 5 ¾ length 4th of 11 to Midnights Legacy at Epsom last time and would have got closer if he handled the track. All his wins have come beyond 1m 3f so interesting to see him dropped back to 1m 2f here in the first time tongue tie. Satono Japan hasn’t won since his juvenile racecourse debut at Kempton. Plenty of form to think he can be competitive, and he was back to his best when a 2 ¾ length 2nd of 5 to Greatgadian over C&D on his reappearance in April.
Vulcan is up 6lb for winning a similar handicap at Newcastle 17-days ago. Despite being a 5-year-old there could be more to come from him. Power Of States is a four time course winning including three over C&D. However, the last of those wins came in December 2020 and he’s not won on his last starts here. Shouldn’t be judged too harshly on his 7th of 8 here last time, as that came over a mile and he wasn’t well placed in a steadily run race and he’s handicapped to go close.
Wonder Elmossman is interesting on his first start beyond a mile. Both the 4-year-old’s career wins have come on the all-weather and he was a solid 1 ½ length 3rd of 8 to Karibana on his first start at here last time. Another who’s nicely treated if he stays today’s extra two furlongs.
Despite the drop back in trip I just prefer Boss Power to Satono Japan. Vulcan is going the right way after his win at Newcastle and looks to have a favourite chance. If the eight stand their ground, then Wonder Elmossman has each way claims on his start at 1m 2f.
Betting Advice:
Killarney
6:30 – 1pt win – High Altitude – 15/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
7:00 – 1pt win – Jesse Evans – 7/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
8:00 – 1pt win – Secret Sea – 17/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
Chelmsford
7:20 – 1pt win – Boss Power – 4/1 @ Bet365 and 1pt win – Wonder Elmossman – 12/1 @ Bet365
Cheers
John