Hi all,
It’s easy to lose sight of the ball with Cheltenham just over the horizon. Thankfully Undersupervision’s win in the Grimthorpe Handicap Chase at Doncaster saved the day on Saturday.
With the weights now published I’m just starting to dig into the nine handicaps at Cheltenham. That’s going to keep me busy for most of next week which means there are unlikely to be any selections between Monday and Thursday. However, as ever its best to keep an eye on your inboxes for updates.
I do have a something for Sunday though. At Leopardstown we have the best race of the day either side of the Irish Sea with €26,550 on offer to the winner of TRI Equestrian Handicap Chase (4:50).
Leopardstown
4:50 – TRI Equestrian Handicap Chase (Grade B) – 2m 5 ½ f
Max Flamingo unseated his rider at the 9th over C&D at the Dublin Racing Festival. He won here over hurdles 12 months ago and is on fair mark. Fan De Blues fell at the 7th in the same race. The 7-year-old is a consistent chaser and this sort of trip should but he’s likely vulnerable to any better treated rivals.
Winter Escape put in an excellent effort when a 2¾ lengths third of 17 in that race. The 11-year-old doesn’t find winning easy though but Mark McDonagh does take off a handy 7lb and a reproduction of his last time effort would see him go close.
Jerandme must be respected and would be a big contender if the ground continues to dry out although he probably needs quicker ground than yielding. A drop in distance and the application of the first time cheekpieces could see a better run from Discordantly.
Fakir D’alene had Donkey Years a neck back in second when winning at Thurles two starts back. The runner-up is 3lb better off here but there shouldn’t be much between the pair again. Fakir D’alene has since disappointed when only 7th of 17 over C&D last time but that race may have come to quick after his Thurles run. Trainer Gordon Elliott saddled the winner of the race in 2019 & 2020.
Rightplacerightime, a useful handicap hurdler was very much back to form when good effort when a 1 ¾ lengths 2nd of 24 to Good Time Jonny in a valuable handicap hurdle at the Dublin Racing Festival. However, he’s since finished a well beaten (11/10 fav) back over fences at Carlisle just six days ago. Its possible he will jump with more fluency on better ground than he faced last time.
Batcio stays 2m 4f and has run well on his last two starts, finishing 4th of 12 to Dunvegan at Fairyhouse and then when a 3 ¼ lengths 3rd of 9 to A Wave of The Sea here over 2m 1f last month. The 10-year-old was doing his best work at the finish last time and although 2m 5 ½ does ask another question stamina wise he needs further than 2m 1f these days.
Verdict: Rightplacerightime is the most difficult to assess, he’s likely capable of better over fences but his Carlisle run was disappointing. I’m expecting better from Fakir D’alene than he was able to show here last time. Donkey Years has a handicap in him off his present mark. If Batcio stays 2m 5f, he will be a danger to all and has each way claims.
1pt each way – Batcio – 12/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes (both paying 4 places 1/5 odds)
1pt win – Fakir D’alene – 10/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
Cheers
John