Hi all,
Both Wetherby and Fakenham must pass morning inspections. However, the best of today’s action is across the Irish Sea.
The going at Gowran Park is currently being described as heavy so stamina is going to be the key to success today.
Gowran Park
2:20 – John Mulhern Galmoy Hurdle (Grade 2) – 3m
It’s not the strongest of renewals of the Galmoy Hurdle. Great White Shark won a valuable 2m 7f handicap hurdle at the Galway Festival and then went onto win Cesarewitch Handicap at Newmarket. Very effective on soft ground but winter heavy does ask a different question of the mare. Looks the one to beat here and if you fancy here you might well consider having a bit on her for the Stayers Hurdle at Cheltenham for which she is a best priced 25/1 with William Hill & Bet365
Noel Meade has a couple of runners in Sixshooter & Diol Kier. The latter looks the more interesting of the pair. Diol Kier beat Monkfish over hurdles last season but didn’t seem to be natural on his three starts over fences in the autumn. He made a winning return to hurdles when winning a small race at Limerick 33-days ago. Needs to improve plenty on that form to win here but does get the first time cheekpieces which should help his jumping.
Sams Profile finished runner-up in a Grade 1 Novices Hurdle at the 2019 Punchestown Festival. Has returned from 566-days lay off with two starts over fences and last time out finished a respectable third to Monkfish in a beginners’ chase at Fairyhouse 61-days ago. Back over hurdles today and is interesting in the first-time hood.
Verdict: I’m going with Great White Shark on her return to hurdling in what doesn’t look the deepest renewals of the race.
1pt win – Great White Shark – 5/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
3:25 – Goffs Thyestes Handicap Chase (Grade A) – 3m 1f
Willie Mullins has saddled five winners of this race since 2012, including the last two. He’s got five of the eighteen runners here including a couple at the top of the end of betting. There should be an even gallop but I don’t think you’ll want to find see your selection to far out of its ground.
Acapella Bourgeois was predictably no match for stablemate Al Boum Photo on his seasonal return on his return to action 27-days ago. Last year’s Grade 3 Bobbyjo winner didn’t jump well enough when only 6th in this race 12 months ago but heavy ground and a good test of stamina is exactly what he wants.
Brahma Bull unseated his rider at the second in the Tramore race won by Al Boum Photo. Prior to that he had finished runner-up to Minella Indo and won three of his first five starts over fences last season. Shapes like he can improve over staying trips but he can make the odd mistake in his races.
Class Conti was runner-up in this race 12 months ago off 2lb lower. That performance came after a poor run in the Paddy Power Handicap Chase at Leopardstown and he seems to have had the same preparation this year.
Saturnas won a Grade 1 hurdle as a novice and was only beaten a neck in the 2018 Kerry National at Listowel. He’s probably needed both starts since returning from a mammoth 815-day absence and is interesting at a big price in the first time cheekpieces.
Gordon Elliott won this in 2018 and has couple of fancied runners in Coko Beach & Run Wild Fred.
Coko Beach has been well backed in the past 24 hours. Looks on a handy mark on his close-up second to Pencilfulloflead on his chase debut at Galway. Gets the first-time blinkers on his first start beyond an extended 2m 6 ½ f. Big player if he stays.
Run Wild Fred is 0-5 over fences but put in a career best on RPR’s when 2nd of 8 over today’s trip at Punchestown last time. Open to more progress now going handicapping and gives his trainer a strong hand in the race.
One place behind Run Wild Fred at Punchestown was The Big Dog. The 8-year-old won a maiden hurdle on this day 12 months ago. Lacks experience over fences but is on a handy mark if he gets to race (third reserve)
Spyglass Hill just heads the ante post betting. A winner of a beginners’ chase (heavy) here last February. Excuses for his two performances in the Galway Plate and Kerry National but confidence back when runner-up here 69-days.
Discordantly was a good winner at Galway in October and 4th of 22 in the Troytown Handicap Chase. Not so good in the Paddy Power last time but he’s better than he was able to show at Leopardstown.
Verdict: Willie Mullins probably holds the key. Top-weight Acapella Bourgeois looks a solid enough favourite. If Brahma Bull puts in a clear round of jumping, he won’t be far away and has probably more scope for improvement than the favourite. Both Class Conti & Saturnas have each way claims. Run Wild Fred could prove the pick of the Elliott pair although Jack Kennedy has opted for Coko Beach. Spyglass Hill has a decent pot in him and third reserve The Big Dog would be on the shortlist but I don’t think he will get a run.
1pt win – Brahma Bull – 8/1 @ Ladbrokes
1pt each way – Saturnas – 30/1 @ Paddy Power & Betfair Sportsbook (both paying 6 places 1/5 odds)
Cheers
John