Looking for clues at Gowran
Published On February 17, 2012 |
Uncategorized
The Cheltenham festival is inching ever closer and at the moment punters are afraid to miss a race lest they miss a valuable clue in the festival jigsaw .The latest Cheltenham star to put his credentials on the line is our great Ryanair hope Rubi Light, who lines up in the featured chase on Gowran’s Red Mills day on Saturday (2.05) . He should win for Andrew Lynch but he won’t have it all his own way with that consistent performer Apt Approach and last year’s four mile chase winner at Cheltenham,Chicago Grey, in opposition. Quite a race and if you fancy Rubi for Chelter’s the value option is probably to take the Ryanair price before he lines up in this race.
The Willie Mullins trained Zaidpour looks a penalty kick in the Red Mills Hurdle at 3.15 .Indeed he is rated 18lbs superior to the remainder of the field on official ratings. He probably wants further but should take this en route to fulfilling an engagement at the Festival ,most likely the World Hurdle.
Racing opens with the Beginner’s Chase (1.35) a race where J.P’s Ballyburke has a chance as does the frustrating but talented Dante’s King, who will need to be kidded home by Davy Condon. Watch also for Terry O’Brien’s long absent Ballyadam Brook ,the mount of Townend,who was a classy novice hurdler a few years back and if anywhere near his best could conceivably be a player here.
The two and a quarter mile handicap at 2.40 affords a nice opportunity for the quirky Oscar Dan Dan to follow up on a recent Navan success. He regularly ran off 150 over timber and a mark of 128 here over fences seems more than fair. Tom Nagle’s The Sneezer bids for a third course success in this race while Arkendale, who came from the clouds at Leopardstown a few weeks back, is a possible play option in the place markets.
Eoin Doyle’s Around The Clock belied his odds of 33-1 at Limerick on his debut in this country when running on to finish second to the Byrne’s trained Arnaud. His chances are obvious in today’s four year old hurdle today (3.50). Others to consider in this race could be Gordon’s ex Cumani horse Cause Of Causes and a horse that showed smart form in France for Alain Du Royer Dupre,Shamar. Now domiciled at Closutton with Willie Mullins, Shamar holds a tentative entry in the Triumph Hurdle and is one to monitor closely in the betting, a remark that can also be applied to the ex Coolmore horse Enchanted Forest .
Michael Barry’s Colls Corner was hit with a draconian ten pounds for winning at Naas last week and may find life difficult in the handicap hurdle at 4.25. Mike Hourigan’s Cloughmile won around here over fences before Christmas and off a ten pound lower mark over hurdles could be a player here. King’s Canyon has his first run for John Hanlon today after the transfer from Nicky Richards yard,while if J.P’s Up For The Match has any ability at all he could be absolutely shovelled in off 95 today. Running in it’s first handicap after three runs in maiden races, it’s been quite some time since trainer John Kiely has had one running off such a lowly mark in a handicap hurdle.
Racing concludes with the ‘wooly jumper’ and a pretty competitve looking race it is too. Busty Brown has a chance following a decent third to Our Vinnie at Naas on his latest start .Paul Nolan’s Undone ran a respectable fourth on his racecourse debut at Punchestown in a race won by Joxer ,while Way Up In The Air was an expensive failure at Limerick over Christmas and in receipt of the mares allowance today represents a live threat to all .
Enjoy the racing at Gowran this Saturday and don’t forget to call us here at Star Spreads where our experienced team will talk you through the wide range of markets available to you on a multitude of sporting events. Remember Cheltenham is closing in fast and it might just be the time to open that Star Spreads account .Call us now on 1800 624 624,you won’t be disappointed !!
Donal
