Hi all,
Inside today’s main piece I’m recapping a cracking Thyestes Day card at Gowran Park.
Thyestes Day Recap
It was good to see Gowran Park survive the recent heavy rain and race on Thursday. Had this been a routine meeting, I suspect it would have been abandoned.
In yesterday’s column I said only the tough would survive the Thyestes Chase. That proved spot on, with just five of the 18 runners making it to the finish.
Captain Cody was sent off a crazy-looking 7/2 favourite for what I had down as an 8/1 the-field contest. Favourite backers would have been encouraged early, with him prominent through the first few fences. However, for reasons only known to Paul Townend, that position was given up. Dropped in, the favourite then came down at the fifth.
I’m always wary of backing horses from out-of-form yards. I was reminded of that last Saturday after getting my fingers burnt with a couple of Venetia Williams runners. Even so, I kept the faith with Gavin Cromwell’s Now Is The Hour, and it paid off, with subscribers on at 10/1.
He looked nicely handicapped. Eoin Staples taking off a further 5lb only strengthened the case. The winner loves the mud, as he showed over hurdles, and he stays well. Once the race turned into a war of attrition, he was perfectly equipped for the task.
A Tale of Two Conditionals
That said, I probably had a touch of lady luck. The race hinged on two conditional jockeys: Staples, claiming 5lb, and Sean Cleary-Farrell, claiming 7lb.
Cleary-Farrell did plenty right on one of the perceived Willie Mullins outsiders, Spanish Harlem. He kept the 8yo close to the pace and jumping well. Two out, I thought he might have cried enough. Instead, he kept battling and looked set to win until a soft-looking unseat at the last.
That left Better Times Ahead in the lead, and it briefly looked as though the race was his. However, Now Is The Hour lived up to his name, producing a late thrust on the run-in to snatch victory on the line.
Had I not been on the winner, it would have been pleasing to see Mark Walsh get his moment on Better Times Ahead following his lost retainer with JP McManus. He was slightly impeded by Spanish Harlem after the last and had earlier been hampered by the loose Captain Cody at the third last. Beaten just a head, he may have been unlucky.
Still, Spanish Harlem was arguably the biggest hard-luck story. He probably would have held on but for that final-fence mishap. That said, Now Is The Hour wasn’t without his own issues. A mistake two out, when travelling well, briefly put him on the back foot.
All told, it made for a thrilling finish. Having been on the runner-up last year, it was nice to go one place better this time around.
There were a couple of horses who pulled up in the race worth adding to the tracker, but I’ll save them for Tuesday’s column.
If you haven't seen the race you can watch it here.
No Place Like Home By The Lee
Earlier on the card, Home By The Lee was on a going day when landing a weak-looking Grade 2 Galmoy Hurdle. Race favourite Staffordshire Knot had things his own way in front, but the winner joined him at the last. Home By The Lee then asserted close home to win by half a length.
He won’t add another Grade 1 hurdle to his CV, but he’s built a solid record at this level. Yesterday’s success took his Grade 2 form figures to 21311.
Last year’s winner Rocky’s Diamond was given a strange ride. Twelve months ago, he was ridden prominently. This time he was held up at the back and finished a well-beaten last.
Gavin Cromwell also came off the cold list in style. Alongside Now Is The Hour, he landed the first two races on the card courtesy of Champagne Jury and The Lovely Man.
Willie Mullins saddled the first three home in the Beginners’ Chase (2m4f). Just half a length covered the first four, with C’Est Ta Chance (14/1) getting up late to pip even-money favourite Funiculi Funicula by a short head. The runner-up was a little unlucky, having to be switched on the run-in after being hampered by the third, King Alexander.
That was only Funiculi Funicula’s second start over fences, and he can win races in the sphere. The form also reflects well on Koktail Divin, who had beaten the winner comfortably at Leopardstown last time. C’Est Ta Chance should improve again when stepped up to three miles.
Friday Racing
It’s the first of two days of racing at Doncaster. The card isn’t packed with quality, but conditions will play a big part. There’s been plenty of rain in the area, with the going eased to soft, good to soft in places. More rain is likely, so the non-runner list may yet grow.
Doncaster
3:25 – Handicap Chase (Go North Red Rum Series Qualifier) (Class 4) – 3m
Finn Lough, a twice winner over fences last season, hasn’t been at his best on four starts this term. That mirrors the wider yard form. He’s now 1lb below his last winning mark and the drop back to three miles should suit. The yard are 8 from 27 (+20.85) with handicap chasers at Doncaster over the past five years.
Kalhandrion was a good winner at Huntingdon on his penultimate start and backed that up with a solid 3½-length third at Uttoxeter 23 days ago. He’s up another 2lb but acts well on rain-softened ground. The yard won this race in 2024.
4:00 – Handicap Hurdle (Go North Brindisi Breeze Series Qualifier) (Class 4) – 3m½f
Ilitch was set too much to do from the rear when a 2½-length fifth at Huntingdon last time. The step up to three miles could suit and he’s one to consider.
Mask Of Zorro has been well placed to win three handicap hurdles and improved again for the step up to three miles when winning at Taunton 24 days ago. He’s unexposed over staying trips but will need to progress again from 6lb higher.
The Two Harrys improved for the step up to 2m4½f when a six-length runner-up at Plumpton last time. He could do better again on handicap debut if staying three miles.
Greedy Smith has looked modest on three novice runs over two miles, though he shaped a little better behind Minstrel Knight at Wetherby last time. A big step up in trip on handicap debut could see him leave that form behind and he’s one to consider at big odds.
Good luck with your Friday bets.
John