Good morning all,
‘Jumpers Bumper’ cards are marginally better than watching two flies’ climbing a wall from a betting perspective; Discuss.
It’s down to Newcastle and Wolverhampton to provide the racing action today. It’s bad enough still being in lockdown but no jumps action isn’t making life easier that’s for sure.
Inside today’s main piece. I wrap up the weekend’s action with a handful of eyecatchers from the weekend. Plus, I have a selection from Wolverhampton.
Leopardstown Takeaways
Here are five to take from the weekend’s action at the Dublin Racing Festival. Three from Saturday and two from Sunday.
Gentlemansgame – ‘Mouse’ Morris
A 250,000 Euros purchase after winning a point to point in October. Given his staying chasing pedigree it was good to see he had enough speed to win a 2m maiden hurdle at Cork.
Connections upped him markedly up in distance/class for the 2m 6f Grade 1 novice hurdle won by the smart Gaillard Du Mesnil. A bit keen in the early stages he was always in a prominent position. It briefly looked like he would fade away between the final two hurdles but to his credit he picked up for pressure and stayed on strongly all the way to the line to snatch second from Stattler.
Given his relative inexperience this was a cracking effort by the 5-year-old. The extra two furlongs of the Albert Bartlett should be ideal and the 14/1 available with Bet365 looks a fair price. Will he go to Cheltenham though?
The Shunter – Emmet Mullins
A winner of three of his last four runs coming into Saturday’s Matheson Handicap Chase, including the Greatwood Handicap Hurdle 83-days previously.
Returning to the large obstacles he was sent off just 7/2 for what looked a very competitive handicap. He disputed the lead for most of the way until two out. It looked like he would fall away when getting outpaced but he rallied well and stayed on for third.
He would have probably preferred a stronger pace to chase like he got in the Greatwood. He’s been nudged up 3lb for this effort but remains capable of landing a decent pot over fences.
Unexcepted – Willie Mullins
The 7-year-old had jumped well when comfortably winning a Tipperary beginners’ chase on his seasonal return 109-days previously. He was thrown into the deep end on Saturday, taking on stablemate Energumene in the Grade 1 Irish Arkle Novice Chase.
Travelling nicely on the outside he made good headway to challenge for second two out. When Captain Guinness fell he went in vain pursuit of Energumene. Lack of a recent run took it's toll in the final stages as he faded coming to the last.
Given he had missed engagements over Christmas due to a slight setback. It was an encouraging performance. There will be other days for him in the spring.
Ballyadam – Gordon Elliott
Gordon Elliott had a dreadful Dublin Racing festival. He’s struggling for form and was only 1-28 over the weekend. The bright spot for the trainer apart from Quilixios’s win in the juvenile hurdle was the performance of Ballyadam in the Grade 1 novices’ hurdle on Sunday.
The 6-year-old had run poorly over Christmas when behind Appreciate It but got much closer to that one this time. Although beaten 3 ¼ lengths at the line he did make a mistake at the last but for that would have been closer.
He’s likely to take on the winner again in next month’s Supreme Novices Hurdle and if the Elliott yard is in better form, I think he can reverse placings with the winner there.
Botani – Colin Murphy
Trainer Colin Murphy is famous for training that wonderful race mare Voler La Vedette. He will probably never train one as good but he has a useful handicap hurdle project with Botani.
The 7-year-old had run with promise on her first two starts in maiden hurdles at Thurles this season but had struggled when upped to Graded/listed company on her next two starts.
The mare was sent off an unfancied 50/1 for her handicap debut in the valuable mares handicap hurdle on Sunday. She was making steady headway when hampered by the fall of Tintangle two out. Despite that she stayed on nicely to finish 5th of 20, beaten about nine lengths. She stays 2m 2f and can be placed to win a handicap hurdle, maybe over a bit further.
Tuesday racing
As expected, we lost Ludlow to the weather which means another day with no jumps racing. It’s left to Newcastle and Wolverhampton to provide the action. And it’s the latter track that provides today’s selection in the 7f Class 2 handicap (6:15).
Wolverhampton
6:15 – Tranchee steadily progressive on turf last season, has improved further on his last two starts on the all-weather. Won a Kempton minor event last month and is a worthy favourite here.
Revolutionise is another who comes into the race in good form after a win at Chelmsford and second placed effort at Lingfield 20-days ago. Just his second start on the tapeta and the 5-year-old probably needs the new surface to bring out more improvement.
The most intriguing runner and potentially well treated for his handicap debut is Lord Of The Lodge. The Karl Burke trained colt was a top-class juvenile finishing runner-up in the 2019 Group 2 Gimcrack Stakes at York. He didn’t have to be at the level to win a Conditions race at Newcastle last February. The 4-year-old returned from a 168-day absence and a wind-op to finish a respectable 4th of 6 in a Conditions race here over 6f on Boxing Day. That run should have blown the cobwebs away and he remains a horse with potential.
Tuesday selection:
Wolverhampton
6:15 – Lord Of The Lodge – 7/1 @ Coral & Ladbrokes
Good luck with your Tuesday bets.
John
John Burke is the tipster behind the long standing Victor Value service you can join him here – https://victorvalue.uk