The Garden Centre man is in the know at Mallow
The 201 class locomotive picks up speed as it passes through the heart of the Curragh. Newbridge,Kildare Town ,Monasterevin are distant memories as we now stop to take on water at Ballybrophy. Destination Mallow, ETA 11.21,time for a quick stop off at The Railway Bar and on to the racecourse for a 12.50 start. What a way to spend a Wednesday afternoon, and those nice people at Star Spreads are paying for it too, sweet!
Local Celebrity and Ballysteen look the principles in the opening maiden hurdle at 12.50.Both horses have justifiable claims in this contest while the mare Hang On Groovy could be worthy of place consideration. Poor old Psycho,he has to be one of the unluckiest horses in training.Today could be the day though and it appears he has been given a gilt edged opportunity to gain his first hurdle win in over two years in the two mile condition event at 1.25.Ruby takes the mount today on this 140 rated animal and really he won’t get too many better opportunities. New Phase is of interest too representing the Weld team while Kempes ,a grade one Leopardstown winner over fences in 2010 is another to watch with close interest over a trip somewhat short of his best.
A nice pot up for grabs in the 1.55, the two mile four handicap hurdle. Plenty in with chances as you would expect including top weight Pineau De Re who comes here on the back of a much improved performance at Thurles a few weeks back. Willie runs two and despite the fact that Ruby deserts him Pozyc looks the pick, particularly after a gallant second spot in the competitive November handicap at Leopardstown a few weeks back. He’ll be remembered is another in form client,he won well at Naas recently and a six pound stopper still leaves him on a competitve mark.
I like the two mile four maiden at 2.30 where many of the big stables are represented. Willie runs Felix Younger carrying the familiar Graham Wylie colours and formerly trained by his brother Tony. Better Than Conan is an interesting contender also.Trained up the road at Lombardstown by Eugene O’Sullivan this horse was all the rage at Dromahane on his debut last month. Note he carries the J.P colours today, one to watch in the market I guess! .Final mention for Paul Nolan’s Prince Ludovic who ran a decent third to the highly rated Sword Of Destiny on his latest outing. lberemembered is another in form horse and a 6 lbs steadier for a recent Naas success still leaves him on a competitive mark.
The bumper is next up at 3.00 where I imagine the Nina Carberry ridden Kick For Touch will be a strong fancy to build on an impressive Roscommon performance on his latest start. Royal Vic didn’t show a whole lot at Listowel on his debut but is certainly one to respect in the market ,while the mare Mareya is a potential each way job having shown up nicely on her debut when 6th to Hat Or Heels here at Cork.
Doc O’Donnell has a chance in the beginners chase at 3.30 , he’s been a little disappointing on more than one occasion but today’s conditions suggest he should go close for Timmy O’Callaghan and jockey Paul Townend. Respect for Up The Beat in the market while Twelfth Of Never rarely runs a bad race for the Wexford based team of Liz Doyle .
Racing closes with the two mile handicap chase, a race where the handicapper faced a dilemma. Just what rating should he award to the unexposed Thurles winner Rubert. Dennis Cullen’s eight year old made all to win in dramatic fashion and now goes straight into handicap company for the first time. Hans Crescent is another Thurles winner who commands respect in this event while if Uncle Tom Cobley gets an early lead he could be hard to peg back in what is traditionally, a front runners track.
A quick trip on the shuttle bus back to the station to catch the return train home .I just have a feeling today is going to be the day. I’ll box clever and pinch a few quid here and there, nothing spectacular you understand.A few each way knock offs ,a couple of placepot plays and of course my friend in Mallow ,the garden centre man, he knows the time of day and he always puts me wide of how things are going in those canny local stables. He only ever bets in scores but one day he asked to have a century on for him. God if he ever found out how much I added on for myself that day he’d keel over!
Call us here at Star Spreads now at 1800 624 624 for all the latest market information from today’s race meetings.Indices, matchs, S.P’s, performances all available. You won’t be disappointed ….
Donal