Hi all,
Main Fact saved the day, if you got on at the 8/1 advised, when winning the Betfair Stayers Handicap Hurdle at Haydock. Arrivederci was still going well when falling three out and would have gone close at the same venue.
Today’s action is much lower key than recent Sunday offerings. It would be nice to end the weekend with a winner. So, am I off across the Irish Sea to Navan and Cork for today’s selections.
Navan
2:55 – BetVictor Run For Your Money Handicap Hurdle – 2m 6f
Gavin Cromwell has a strong hand to play in the race with Walk Me Home & Tokyo Getaway. The former has been in good form since returning to action in August and looked like she was going to win when unseating her rider at the last over C&D 14-days ago. If none the worse for that mishap has strong claims on similar ground.
Tokyo Getaway was sent off the 4/1 favourite for the Cork National but could never get competitive from the year. Prior to that she had made a good return to action when 3rd of 14 over hurdles at Limerick. This trip is a bit short of the mares best but she’s better than she was able to show last time and both career wins have come with heavy in the going description.
Oh’herewego might be a 11-year-old but he showed that the fire remains in his belly when beaten just ½ length in this race 12 months ago. Just 1lb higher now and a useful conditional takes off a handy 7lb. Two runs since February, ran well when finishing 3rd of 10 at Tipperary last time, should have him spot on fitness wise. Looks the sort to run his race and can get into the money.
1pt win – Tokyo Getaway – 15/2 @ Paddy Power & Betfair Sportsbook
1pt each way – Oh’herewego – 14/1 @ Paddy Power & Betfair Sportsbook (both paying 5 places 1/5 0dds)
Cork
2:00 – Kevin McManus Bookmaker Handicap Hurdle – 2m 4f
Plenty of contenders in this trappy looking handicap hurdle. Slippery Serpent returned from 581-day layoff to finish and encouraging 5th of 10 at Galway last month. That was over 2m and he should do better stepped back up to 2m 4f. Just 2lb above his last winning mark and can go well if building on his Galway performance.
No Memory has won two of her last three starts over hurdles. Up 8lb, for beating one of today’s rivals Owenacurra Lass by 1 ½ lengths at Wexford last month. Owenacurra Lass is entitled to get closer to her old rival, at the revised weights and was a good third in this race 12 months ago. However, you would think that No Memory is open to a bit more progression given she’s only had five starts over hurdles.
Jukebox Jive, last year’s Irish November Handicap has had just two starts since December, finishing 15th of 34 in the Cesarewitch and then ran well for a long way in this seasons November Handicap. Just the four starts over hurdles and goes well on heavy ground. Looks on a competitive mark if getting his act together over hurdles. Trainer Gavin Cromwell had a double at Naas on Saturday.
Rebel Early won a 2m 4f handicap hurdle at Gowran Park on heavy in January, off 6lb lower. The mare shaped like she could be about to hit winning form when 4th of 12, behind the very well handicapped Dreal Deal in a Ladies only handicap hurdle at Punchestown 25-days ago. No issues with going/distance and the 6-year-old shouldn’t far away.
1pt win – Rebel Early – 12/1 @ Bet365
3:10 – Mallow Handicap Chase – 2m ½ f
Another interesting if trappy handicap. Off You Go was the best of these over hurdles and won the valuable 2m Ladbrokes Handicap Hurdle at Leopardstown in February 2019. Went novice chasing last season, 0 wins from 5 starts, but was highly tried on occasions. First run since February so may be better for the run but he did win off a similar lay off two seasons back. Handicap chase debut today and the 7-year-old races off a 13lb lower mark than over hurdles. Top-weight of 11-10 to defy but Simon Torrens takes off a handy 5lb.
Henry De Bromhead has a couple of interesting contenders making their seasonal returns in Arvico Bleu & Capuccimix. The former is 0-8 over fences but ran well in a couple of good handicap chases at the end of last year. On a fair mark and interesting in the first-time tongue tie but may prefer slightly less testing conditions than likely here. Capuccimix on the other hand needs soft ground. The 7-year-old did well on his first four starts novice chasing, making all to win a beginners’ chase at Naas in March. Not so good back in a Grade 3 at Thurles 13-days later. Another who may be better for the run but has gone well first time up in the last two seasons and looks the sort who can win races now going handicapping for the first time.
Chatham Street Lad a useful handicap hurdler two seasons back, 3-4 over hurdles at Cork, returned from 463-day layoff to win a handicap chase in good style at Ballinrobe (soft) in October. Struggled in a novice chase at Galway 7-days later, race may have come to quick, and better can be expected returned a track he’s gone well at in the past.
1pt win – Capuccimix – 13/2 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
1pt win – Chatham Street Lad – 7/2 @ Bet365 & Paddy Power
Cheers
John