Hi all,
Another frustrating day yesterday although I was pleased with my reading of most of the races.
I’m running late this morning so today’s post is shorter than I would like. I have had a look at two of the races on the York card and the Mayo National at Ballinrobe.
York
1:30 – Thibaan looks a typical Sir Michael Stoute improving middle distance handicapper. A tidy winner at Doncaster last month he’s only up 4lb for that success and looks capable of more improvement on just his fifth career start.
Arctic Fox, trained by Richard Fahey, has been running with credit on her last three starts and gets the first-time visor in a bid to eke out that bit more improvement to enable her to get her head in front. Given her record at York – 2 wins from 3 starts, including C&D – she needs respecting and has each way claims if the first-time headgear works the oracle.
1pt win – Thibaan – 100/30 @ Paddy Power & Bet365
1pt each way – Arctic Fox – 10/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes (Paying 5 places 1/5 odds)
3:40 – Royal Content a winner at Southwell over 6f, 12 months ago. Looks to have improved nicely from two to three. Runner-up on his seasonal return at Haydock in June. He went one better at the same venue on his last start. Both those wins came over 5f but he should be just as effective over 6f. Nudged up 5lb for his last success. The lightly raced 3-year-old is going the right way and should go close if as effective on a quicker surface.
1pt win – Royal Content – 5/1 – Gen
Ballinrobe
4:45 – Plenty of inform horses in this year’s Mayo National with the likes Go Another One & Mindsmadeup both seeking the hat trick.
Peaches And Cream is the least exposed of the 15 runners over fences. The 5-year-old has just had the three starts over the larger obstacles. Last time out he improved to win a beginner’s chase at Wexford. Handicap debut off what looks a workable mark and can go well for a yard among the winners.
There should be more to come from Young Turk, trained by Gordon Elliott, who bounced back to form when winning a Tramore Handicap chase three weeks ago. Up 6lb for that win but maybe capable of better over the larger obstacles.
Portmore Lough was an improving handicap chaser last season winning twice at Galway before finishing third in the valuable Troytown Chase at Navan last November. Was just behind the leading group when falling five out at Galway on his seasonal return and can’t be discounted with the going in his favour.
Plinth in the same ownership as Portmore Lough is the choice of Mark Walsh. A winner here over hurdles the 10-year-old put in a good effort to finish 4th of 14 in the Midlands National at Kilbeggan two starts back, before struggling back over hurdles last time. He looks on a competitive mark on the best of his form and a reproduction of his Kilbeggan run should see him in the money.
1pt win – Peaches And Cream – 11/1 – Gen
1pt win – Portmore Lough – 15/2 @ Bet365 & Ladbrokes
I’m off tomorrow so let’s hope we can go out on a winner.
Cheers
John