Hi all,
Cloth Cap & Impact Factor did the business for us at Newbury & Fairyhouse respectably. The first time cheekpieces really worked on Cloth Cap who jumped better than he has ever done when making all to win the Ladbroke Trophy. He got a fine ride from Tom Scudamore. I’m glad I kept the faith in the 8-year-old who always had a decent handicap chase pot in him when he got decent ground.
Meanwhile across the Irish Sea Impact Factor defied 576-day absence to win the big handicap chase at Fairyhouse. He got into a great jumping rhythm form the off and showed he was on a winnable mark for his handicap chase debut.
I was hopeful that we would have good day and we did. Let’s hope we can end the weekend with another profit.
Fairyhouse takes centre state today. It’s Day 2 of the tracks Winter Festival. There are three Grade 1’s on the eight-race card and a couple of valuable handicaps.
Envoi Allen seems to have scared of most of the competition as he just faces three rivals in the Drinmore Novices’ Chase (1:35). Later, on the card Honeysuckle bids for back to back wins in the Hatton Grace Hurdle (3:35). She will have to be at her best on her seasonal return to win as she faces the likes of Fury Road who was third in the Albert Bartlett and has race fitness on his side after winning a Grade 2 at Punchestown 14-days ago. Add in Ronald Pump & Beacon Edge. The former runner-up in the Stayers Hurdle at Cheltenham and was in the process of running a good race when falling at the last at Navan three weeks ago. Whilst Beacon Edge is improving with racing and has won both his starts this autumn.
It’s the three handicaps on the card that provide the best betting opportunities.
Fairyhouse
12:00 – Bar One Racing Best Odds Guaranteed Irish EBF Mares’ Handicap Chase – 2m 4f
Lunch In Adare won a mares only maiden here 12 months ago. Promise on her three starts over fences this season and was beaten just a head in a Ballinrobe novice chase 43-days ago. Handicap debut here off what looks a competitive mark.
Emily Moon 1-3 over fences, was well beaten in a Grade 2 at Punchestown 15-days ago. Back to 2m 4f should suit and although she needs to jump better, this race is easier than ones she’s been competing in.
Fiveaftermidnight won a novices’ handicap chase at Naas 12 months ago, off 9lb lower. The application of the first time cheekpieces had the desired effect that day. Returned to action with a solid enough effort when 4th of 14 over hurdles at Limerick last month. The cheekpieces left off that day return and a big run can’t be ruled out, although the yard has gone 91 runners and 84-days since they had a winner which is off putting.
1pt win – Lunch In Adare – 7/1 @ Bet365
2:05 – BARONERACING.COM Porterstown Handicap Chase (Grade B) – 3m 5f
A €73,750 winners prize has attracted a strong field of twenty of staying chasers. Plenty in with a chance as you would expect.
Voix Des Tiep hails form the very much inform Willie Mullins yard. The 8-year-old has only had the five starts over fences and has yet to race to beyond 2m 4f. Takes a big hike in distance here and needs to jump better than he did last season. Not handicapped out of this if his stamina holds.
Gordon Elliott saddles eight. Jack Kennedy is on 2018 Thyestes Chase winner Monbeg Notorious. If the going turns heavy he wouldn’t be without a chance. The best of the Elliott runners could be Cheb De Kerviniou. The 10-year-old goes well on soft/heavy and there are no issues with stamina for 3m 5f. Ran like the run was needed when down the field in the Troytown Handicap Chase on his return. Handicapped to win a staying chase like this but he’s on a long losing run though.
Noel Meade saddled last year’s winner and won the race in 2009. He runs novice Brace Yourself who won a Beginners’ chase at Gowran Park on his seasonal return. Hasn’t been disgraced on either start since and was a 14-length 3rd of 7 behind Pencilfulloflead in a Grade 2 at Punchestown two weeks ago. A solid enough jumper, the 7-year-old steps up 1m 1f for handicap chase debut but looks capable of more improvement and is on a workable mark if he stays.
Treacysenniscorthy is second reserve but would be a contender if he gets into the race. Improved to win four handicap hurdles last season, three over 3m. A useful 4th of 10 at Listowel back over fences in September. He can race off a 14lb lower mark over the larger obstacles than hurdles and must be respected off his low weight.
Dromore Lad caused a 40/1 shock when winning the Cork National (3m 4f) on just his third start over fences. He’s been raised 10lb for that success but he stays very well and goes well in the mud. You couldn’t rule out further improvement given he remains unexposed over the larger obstacles and must be considered a serious contender again although this a better race.
Verdict: Treacysenniscorthy could take advantage of his light weight if he sneaks in. I think there is more to come from Dromore Lad over these marathon trips but he’s not the biggest to cope with a 10lb rise. Both Brace Yourself and Voix Des Tiep need respecting stepping up in trip with a preference for the former. Cheb De Kerviniou stays all day, is on a winnable mark and wouldn’t be winning one of races out of turn.
1pt each way – Dromore Lad – 14/1 @ Paddy Power & Betfair Sportsbook (both paying 6 places 1/5 odds)
1pt each way – Cheb De Kerviniou – 14/1 @ Paddy Power & Betfair Sportsbook (both paying 6 places 1/5 odds)
3:05 – Bar One Racing Extra Places Handicap Hurdle (Grade A) – 2m
I’m doing better over fences than hurdles so far this season but this race has tempted me in.
The overnight betting is headed by Cayd Boy. The five-year-old made a winning return to action when beating 16 rivals in competitive Down Royal handicap hurdle 29-days ago. Up 9lb for that success but he’s only had four starts over hurdles and is capable of more improvement. Connections will be hoping the ground isn’t to testing for this speedy type.
Willie Mullins has three of the 13 runners and all three have chances. Getaway Gorgeous is the choice of Paul Townend she was 5th in the race won by Cayd Boy but a 9lb pull in the weights should enable her to get closer today as would more testing ground. Hybery finished two places behind his stablemate in that race but ran better than his finishing position suggests. He got hampered at the first that day and did well to get back into the race. Ciel De Neige remains a maiden after eight starts but went close when runner-up in the Betfair Hurdle at Newbury in February. Ran to bad to be true when down the field in the County Hurdle at Cheltenham on his last start. The 5-year-old was a running on 4th of 15 in this race last year on his seasonal return. Mark Walsh opts for Cayd Boy but I can see him going close if at his best.
Drop The Anchor beat Getaway Gorgeous at Listowel two starts back. The 6-year-old was under pressure but still in with a chance when brought down two out in the Down Royal race. Not without a chance, if none the worse for that mishap, but needs to find s bit more improvement to win this.
Gold De Bois was 8th at Down Royal but that was the 6-year-old’s first start since joining Gordon Elliott. Improved to finish 3rd of 10 at Punchestown two weeks ago. Nudged up 1lb for that effort but it was only his second start in a handicap and he could progress further. Stablemate Eclair De Beaufeu is back over hurdles after falling at the last in a Grade 2 chase at Navan 21-days ago. Did well over fences last season, winning a valuable handicap chase at Leopardstown before finishing runner-up in the Grand Annual at Cheltenham. Twelve months earlier he had looked the most likely winner of the County Hurdle when coming down at the last off 1lb higher. A winner over C&D the 6-year-old looks well handicapped here on his improved form over the larger obstacles.
Verdict: Cayd Boy’s chance is for all to see. I have a feeling that Ciel De Neige could be a bit of a cliff horse but he will surely pop up in one of these. Hybery ran well enough in the circumstances at Down Royal. Gordon Elliott has a strong hand with the well handicapped Eclair De Beaufeu and unexposed Gold De Bois.
1pt win – Ciel De Neige – 7/1 @ Bet365
1pt win – Gold De Bois – 15/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
Cheers
John