Hi all,
Inside today’s main piece you’ll find several horses worth adding to your trackers from my notebook. Plus, there's some Tuesday pointers from Dundalk and Ayr.
Victor’s Notebook
Given the lack of jumps racing last week, there weren’t many to add. Hopefully the weather plays ball, and the sport gets a clear run over the next couple of weeks.
The first of my two eyecatchers ran in Saturday’s Lanzarote Handicap Hurdle at Kempton.
I highlighted Double Powerful’s third-placed effort in yesterday’s column. The Neil Mulholland-trained 7yo was back over hurdles after failing to complete on his previous three starts over fences. A progressive staying handicap hurdler last season, it would be no surprise to see him kept over timber for now. A step up to three miles looks likely, and there’s a handicap to be won with him.
The one that really caught my eye, though, was Wreckless Eric. Only ninth of 15, the 6yo was ridden as usual from off the pace and never became competitive. He doesn’t stay 2m5f and will be far more interesting back at two miles. His best effort last season came when beaten just half a length by Go Dante in the Imperial Cup at Sandown. He should drop a pound or two for this run, and the O’Neill yard will likely have that race in mind again.
Quaviste (Dan Skelton) also caught the eye in the concluding 2m handicap hurdle, won by Williethebuilder, when finishing a 3¾-length fifth of eight. He was never put into the race from the rear on handicap debut but did some solid work late. He remains capable of winning off his current mark, especially when stepped up in trip.
Naas (Friday): Queally Delivers Ballymore Shock at Naas
The rescheduled Grade 1 Ballymore Novice Hurdle took place at Naas on Friday and produced a David slaying Goliath result. Declan Queally’s I’ll Sort That, trained and ridden by Declan Queally, made most to hold off the well-fancied Willie Mullins-trained favourite Sortudo.
The winner still has question marks over his jumping, but his attitude is beyond doubt. He’s one of the better novice hurdlers in Ireland at present, though you’d expect others to emerge as the spring festivals approach. He’s now best priced 16/1 for the Turners Novices’ Hurdle if you think he can slay more giants at Cheltenham.
Punchestown (Sunday): Business as Usual for Mullins at Punchestown
Normal service resumed on Sunday as the two Graded races on Punchestown’s card went the way of Willie Mullins.
The Grade 3 Sky Bet Super Sub Novice Chase (2m3½f) was won by Kappa Jy Pyke, with stablemate and favourite Predators Gold back in third. The winner showed a smart change of gear on the run-in to score comfortably. He doesn’t lack pace and looks a smart prospect, but a step up to three miles doesn’t look imminent. I suspect there won’t be suitable race for him at the Cheltenham Festival so Mullins will aim him at the other spring festivals.
Later on the card, Sober beat two rivals to give Willie Mullins a fifth straight win in the Grade 2 Sky Bet Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle. Last seen winning the marathon Queen Alexandra Stakes at Royal Ascot, Sober made it two from two over hurdles. He had too much speed for his rivals, both of whom look in need of much further. His jumping wasn’t flawless, but there’s room for improvement, and might be better served by further than 2m½f. He’ll also handle better ground. The bookmakers remain unconvinced, with Sober priced at 20/1 for both the Supreme and Turners at Cheltenham. Just two 7-year-olds have won the Supreme since 2008 but one of then Appreciate It was trained by Willie Mullins.
There were no real eyecatchers from Irish racing last week, although Showurappreciation’s win in the Amateur National (2m6½f) stood out. I love a good jumper, and that’s his biggest weapon, backed up by the RaceIQ figures. He was delivered with perfect timing approaching the last and quickly skipped clear of his rivals.
He’ll rise in the weights after this but jumping that well on soft ground gives him every chance of winning again this season.
Tuesday Preview
Dundalk
4:35 – Master Garvey is still a maiden beyond a mile (0-8 at 1m1f+). However, he shaped as though he stayed 1m2f when a ¾-length fourth of 12 over C&D in April. Now 4lb below his last winning mark, he needs to bounce back from a couple of low-key turf runs in the autumn. If he does, he’s handicapped to go very close. The booking of Declan McDonogh catches the eye, and stall 5 looks ideal.
5:10 – Storm Eric bounced back to form in first-time blinkers when a 3-length third of 14 here over a mile just four days ago. The headgear comes off today. He was beaten only a head in a division of this race 12 months ago from 11lb higher. If in the same form as last Friday, he holds a big chance.
Ayr
Trainer Sandy Thomson boasts an excellent January record with runners that fit the following profile:
SP 6/1 or shorter
0–13 previous runs in the race type
He has two qualifiers today:
1:48 – Holly Bird
2:48 – Rob Roy Macgregor
Can Thomson maintain his strong January strike-rate?
Good luck with your Tuesday bets.
John