Navan

Donal McCarthy looks forward to a thrilling seven race card Navan Wednesday.

County Meath venue Navan hosts a fascinating looking seven race flat card on Wednesday. Racing opens with a difficult-looking sprint handicap where the in form Kateeva (runner up Cork Saturday) and the previous course winner Jedward both hold reasonable claims. Watch also for any market encouragement in relation to the chances of My Girl Anna- Muredach trains it you know!

Aiden O’Brien looks for an incredible eighth consecutive victory in the two year old maiden at 2.35. He runs two here and the market is probably the best guide to their chances, although it should be noted that Thomasgainsborough was the subject of plenty of hype prior to his Tipperary debut a few weeks back. Casual Creeper was a useful second here at the last meeting and should be go enough for a place on the medals podium.

Next up is the nursery handicap at 3.05 where the John Oxx runner Afraz can be expected to go close following a pleasing run at Gowran on his latest start. Wot A Shot represents an in form Curragh yard and is a potential springer in his first handicap, while La Olivia is another for the short list in what looks a competitve affair.

The auction maiden is next up at 3.35 and is a race that features plenty of juveniles who ran here at the last meeting. Pick of those runners could well be Dave Marnane’s Colla Pier, an unconsidered 66-1 poke who ran on nicely to finish third in the Kissed maiden. Watch also for a prominent showing from Don Long, another horse who belied his odds when running third to Mahaazen at Tipperary on his latest start .

It gets tricky from here on in and the one mile handicap at 4.05 gives an opportunity to Fred Fenster to follow up his weekend success at Cork under a mandatory penalty.A number of horses running in their first handicaps could come into the reckoning amongst them being Cnocan Diva and Jim Gorman’s Gabh Mo Leithsceal.

The fillies handicap at 4.40 is another race with endless possibilities. The Roscommon winner Alabelle has a chance as does the frustrating maiden Puzzled the Andy Oliver runner.The improving Sun Disc has been well placed by trainer Dessie Hughes and seeks her fourth straight success this afternoon.

Racing closes with the one mile five handicap where a close market watch is recommended when assessing the chances of Paddy Willmot’s Domination. Reach The Stars is on a handy weight with the stable apprentice Leigh Roche aboard while watch for any market encouragement about King Of The Ring, a former John Oxx inmate now lodging with Stevie Ryder; remember this stable landed quite a touch over the weekend with Pink Coat below in Cork.

Call Star Sports or our sister company Star Spreads for all the latest betting information at Navan.Irish customers may also ring our man on the ground Donal McCarthy @ 087 9370412 for further information.

Birdcatcher day at Naas

Excellent fare at Naas this Sunday where the prestigious Birdcatcher Nursery handicap forms the centrepiece on a eight race card.

Racing opens with a six furlong maiden at 2.10 where Hong Kong Dancer and Perla Du Ma can both be expected to give a good account of themselves. Another point of interest here is the reappearance of the highly rated Miracle Cure, a bitter disappointment on his racecourse debut and a horse you feel sure is capable of a lot better.

The fillies maiden at 2.40 looks a race for backers with a couple of likely sorts including Bird’s Eye View, a colossal gamble at The Curragh on her debut and the Frank Ennis trained Kodaly a filly that finished 7th on her debut in a decent looking maiden at headquarters.

Onto the featured Birdcatcher’s at 3.15 where the Roscommon winner Indigo River and the maiden Multiasking appeal. Respect is awarded to top weight Janey Muddles representing Jim Bolger, a trainer that has an above average record in this particular nursery.

Manieree is an improver and she looks set to notch up the hat trick in the listed one mile race at 3.45. She should be on the premises but she does have to carry all the penalties and could be vulnerable. If she fails in her task Look At Me and Aoife Alainn are the two to put up against this jolly.

We switch codes for the 4.20, a race where Donna’s Palm, who won his maiden here in 2008 and the much improved Pittoni should enjoy a healthy debate up the straight in what looks like a dead match for the conditions hurdle.

The two mile handicap hurdle at 4.50 looks a little more difficult to crack but whats wrong with nominating Dusty Trail and Another Palm against the field? Private handicappers may spot that Clarkey is potentially well in too (keep it to yourself) to the tune of some twenty pounds comparative to his chase mark.

Back to the flat for the 5.20 (confused? so am I) where Tawaag is potentially of interest off 79 while the Sligo winner Celebrity Sevi is another possibility in a tricky looking affair.

Racing closes with the winners bumper, a race well worth sticking around for. Sligo winner Mister Eckhart will be popular under Nina Carberry while the in form Shark Hanlon (winner Cheltenham Saturday) will fancy his chances with the impressive Listowel winner Murchu.

Donal

Day one Cork October Saturday

The first of the two day October meeting at Cork commences this afternoon with an exciting seven race card. The opening race over six furlongs at 2.35 up the straight course looks tricky, but the fillies,Kateeva and Sassaway should both run well while down the foot of the handicap keep an eye on the market in relation to the chances of Awareness, carrying Orla Murtagh’s colours.

Onto the five furlong maiden at 3.10 where the once raced Red Avis must go down as a leading contender following an encouraging racecourse debut at Down Royal last month. Chocolate Hills has been kept on the go but is holding her form well and could be involved at the finish once again.Watch also for an improved showing from Fast Finian ,who seeks to provide trainer Michael Halford with his first juvenile winner of the season.

The sprint handicap at 3.45 is decidedly difficult but chances can be given to If Paradise and Jim Gorman’s in form handicapper Rigid Rock. The featured Navigation Stakes at 4.20 looks competitive but no matter how many times you look at the race it is difficult to resist the claims of the top rated Look At Me who looks considerably well treated in this contest. Dawariya with Niall Mac’ up can be given a chance as can the seasoned handicapper Six Of Hearts.

The two year old maiden at 4.50 looks at the mercy of the Ballydoyle trained Hail who can be reasonably expected to step up on an encouraging racecourse debut when finishing third of seventeen at Naas. The unraced filly Pale Mimosa is one to monitor closely in the betting while Jim Bolger introduces an interesting grey filly Alla Speranza carrying Kirstie Rausing’s familiar green and white colours.

The fillies handicap at 5.20 carries a decent prize fund and the much improved Jill’s Ballet will be on many people’s shortlist,Light Footsteps can be fancied to step up on a recent fourth position at Listowel while it will be interesting to see how the market views the chances of handicap debutante Acts Out Loud.

The concluding maiden at 5.55 features plenty of horses desperately seeking that elusive first win. Fred Fenster has plenty of silver and bronze on the mantle piece and undoubtedly has the ability to take this if putting the best foot forward. Kevin Prendergast rates Ansaab quite highly and a prominent showing will come as no surprise while final mention is given to Gordon Lord Byron who was just touched off at Listowel on his latest start.

Key stats

Michael Halford,yet to strike. Zero from 29 this season thus far.

Aiden O’Brien on a roll. 27% strike rate with two year olds this season.

4.50 race cash in. 6 of the last 9 favourites have won this race.

Mrs Harrington needs a winner.34 consecutive flat losers.

Jockey Rory Cleary in the fridge 86 consec’ losers.

Kevin Prendergast out of sorts 33 consec’ losers.

Punchestown

October 13th

Day two of the October fixture at Punchestown starts off with what looks like a decent maiden hurdle at 2.15. Il Fenomeno takes a major drop in class here and has to be respected, given his trainer Noel Meade’s fine recent record (5 wins last 17 runners). John Kiely also has the team in good shape and his consistent Mississippi River may also play a part in the finish.

Sailor’s Warn looks to follow up Sunday’s win at Limerick in the graded hurdle at 2.45. The 145 rated Jack Cool will have his supporters but the novice Step’s To Freedom , in receipt of the allowances, could well prove to be the danger.

Duers and Clarkey look to exploit generous hurdle ratings in the handicap hurdle at 3.15, a race where J.P’s Masked Phantom may also be one for the short list.

Onto the grade three chase, a real treat for a Thursday afternoon where I simply cannot wait to see how Rathlin adapts to the larger obstacles. Now in the care of Mouse Morris this Gigginstown owned horse looks an animal with the scope to go a long way. Shinrock Paddy is another chase debutante with a superb hurdling profile. If Blazing Beacon is still leading as they pass the Black Hills it could be a case of “made all nvr hd’d”.

Forpadytheplasterer should pick up his first win since Cheltenham 2009 in the two mile seven chase at 4.15, although a little worryingly he has occupied the runner up slot seven times since that famous win at The Cotswolds. Roi Du Mee should have no problem trousering the €5,700 prize for the runner up spot here.

Bundle Of Fun looks irresistible in the qualified riders chase at 4.45 running off a 95 perch. Now you know why Willie Mullins is consistently our champion trainer, it’s all about spotting opportunities! The consistent Klassy should perform with distinction in this company while the booking of Mikey Fogarty for Senior Again could be significant and is certainly worthy of a quick market check.

Racing concludes with the two mile bumper where the in- form Noel Meade will fancy his chances with the Lemonfield point winner Formidableopponent, while the market will surely reveal the well -being or otherwise of the unraced Slate Lady ,a remark that can also be applied to the Byrne’s entry Our Vinnie.

Today’s Key stats
2.15 race expensive for backers One winning favourite from last nine renewals!

Roger Loughran in the fridge, (Mackey’s Forge 2.45) 139 consecutive losers.

Noel Meade in-form, five wins last seventeen runners.

Colm Murphy on the cold list, 56 days since last win.

Forpadytheplasterer, Silver medals (4.15), runner up seven times since last win.

Day one of the October meeting at Punchestown

Day one of the two day Punchestown October kick’s off this afternoon with an interesting looking juvenile hurdle at 2.15. Noel Meade would win with the stable cat at the moment and due respect is awarded to his entry Blue Cannon. His Excellency looks another likely sort from a leading yard while Hollymount King might be good enough to run into a place.Sword Of Destiny ,carrying the Gigginstown colours,and Charlie Swan’s Dingle Bay are the suggested pair against the field in the two and a half mile maiden at 2.45 ,a race significantly won last year by the subsequent Cheltenham winner, First Lieutenant.

The listed mares hurdle at 3.20 is the showpiece event on the card and here Chaperoned ticks all the right boxes. A recent run on the flat at Navan should have the mare in tip top condition for this valuable event. Dangers may include John Queally’s Elyaadi ,fresh from her exertions in the Cadran on Arc day and the Carrick On Suir trained Dazzling Susie ridden by Davy Russell.

The handicap hurdle at 3.50 looks a real conundrum but Tom Hogan’s Akiem and Danny O’Connell’s Azana are put up against the field.Respect the market  also when assessing the chances of the lightly raced Blaze Of Fire.

Stonemaster looks the class act in the beginner’s chase at 4.25 where the Gigginstown neglect  Fist’s Of Fury holds reasonable place claims along with Conor Lannen’s On The Way Out.

Hatton’s Wood made a bold bid to make all at Clonmel on his latest outing and off a handy weight in the handicap chase at 4.55  this hardy veteran might attempt to front run again here. Willie Murphy’s grey mare Burnt Oil Babe commands respect with Ruby in the saddle today while Smoking Aces could be a possibility for back in form trainer Tom Taaffe.Racing concludes with a competitive mares bumper a race where Ten Friends, Chasing  Shadows and   Saddleoncemore are suggested against the field in what should be a lively betting affair to close proceedings.
Buy the distances,sell the S.P’s, take a view in our matches.Call Star Spreads  now for all the latest market positions at Punchestown today…..

Donal McCarthy