Perfect Pint Beginners Chase (5YO plus) (1.50) - PRINCE ERIK (win) may have failed to complete on 3 out of 4 of his starts over fences but seemed to have improved when bolting up in a 3m Pertemps qualifier and then coming a good second in the real event. He’s taken to gain a first success today.
St.james's Gate Novice Chase (5YO plus) (2.25) - A very tricky race which could take some sorting out. BEAU MICHAEL (win) warmed up for this with a victory on the flat at Ballinrobe and he gets the vote here as he has improved with each run over fences as he showed when beating Norther Bay at Limerick. Coscorrig should get closer to Cruising Katie than last time with a nice sharp track and a weight turnaround but neither of them have anything massively in favour to make them worth the punt. Tony McCoy on Adjal has the look of a right punt but he ran as if amiss since but last of those earlier wins suggested assessor was catching up with him in any case.
Guinness Time Handicap (60-90) (4YO plus) (3.00) - Yet another headspinner of a handicap. The answer may be DESIGNATED DECOY, (win) who has dropped to 84, a mark which 2lbs below his last winning mark and only 1lbs higher then when third in the Irish Cesarawitch.
Arthur Guinness E.B.F. Fillies Handicap (3YO plus) (3.35) - Only 6 lengths behind Fencing Master last time, and now 4lbs lower rated, HALLIE’S COMET (win and each/way) can take all the beating here and make a bold bid to defy topweight. The drop in trip could also help.
Signature Novice Hurdle (4YO plus) (4.10) -The form shown by the first 8 is all useful enough to win this but COOPER’S CREST (win) achieved more than most when third in the Grimes Hurdle and is better than the bare form of her win last time, having been unsuited by the soft ground.
Guinness Galway Hurdle Handicap (Grade A) (4YO plus) (4.50) - NEW PHASE (each/way) was a big eye-catcher on his prep run at Limerick earlier this month. That fourth behind The Fonze should have left him spot on for this big test, and his previous two efforts at Leopardstown and Fairyhouse suggest a 132 rating is workable. Dirar is respected on his flat form, and should take all the beating. The support for his also suggests that a big run is respected. Lethal Weapon is being backed for the same reason that Fingeronthepulse won the Plate yesterday. Silevecorragh is open to further progress and is shortlist material based on the strength of his handicap win last time out. The obvious main conteder is Overturn, who has been a model of consistency so far this year, picking up plenty of prize money in the process. Win and placed efforts in the Scottish Champion Hurdle and Swinton Hurdle respectively were backed up by a ready victory in the Northumberland Plate on the Flat at Newcastle last time and Graham Lee is a great substitute for the injured Jason Maguire. The main problem could be is that’s he has had 3 hard races and a mark of 138 was too high for him in the Swinton Hurdle was too much last time, and this is no easier.
Arthur's Legacy Handicap (50-70) (3YO plus) (5.35) - FORCE OF HABIT (win) is sure to be popular in this as he landed the opener of the festival in good style and looks well in on that form. Strandfield Lady is really progressing and was going to be the each/way shout but her draw could be her undoing.
Guinness Storehouse (Pro/Am) Flat Race (5YO to 7YO) (6.05) - Of those who have previously raced, Total Pleasure has achieved more than Summertime Solo but both might have to be very good to stop JOHNNY’S LANTERN (win) from winning first time out. A full sister to the brilliant Forpadydeplasterer and two winning pointers, she's also a half-sister to a winning bumper horse.
No comments:
Post a Comment