THE feature event on Down Royal’s St Patrick’s Day card doesn’t appear much of a betting heat with a disappointing turnout for the three-mile-two-furlong chase.
Larne handler Stuart Crawford looks to have the race at his mercy with two of the trio entered and Fine Rightly should land this. Most of his form has been over shorter but it looked like stamina wasn’t an issue when he ran a fine race to finish third in the Irish Gold Cup last month.
Stablemate Yes Tom won this in 2014 and chased home Roi Du Mee 12 months ago. He has 9lb to find on official ratings with his stablemate but looks the one to give him most to do in what could be a tactical affair. Draycott Place looks a clear third-best for those that might be tempted by the old adage about three-runner races.
Earlier on the card, Colms Dream looks thrown in off his chase mark when he lines up in the three-mile handicap hurdle. The progressive gelding has gone from strength to strength over the larger obstacles this term and there is now a disparity of 45lb between his hurdle rating and his chase mark. He may prove to just be better over fences but the way he has improved, he’d have to be hard to beat in an ordinary contest back over the smaller obstacles.
Ard Cregg is another who looks capable of using a lower hurdles rating to her advantage in the Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Hurdle. She has been consistent over fences this season, winning at Thurles, and ran a decent race off a mark of 92 when fourth at Punchestown last time. A 12lb lower mark over timber looks appealing now and she must have a great shout off a nice weight.
Give Battle attracted the stewards’ attention at Limerick the other day when an eye-catching third in a maiden hurdle and it’s interesting that he’s turned out again quickly in today’s opener. A decent Flat performer, he has shown little on his first two starts over timber but it was a much better run last Friday and there looks more to come from Charles Byrnes’ charge.
Round Tower, who won his bumper here on his debut, would appear to be the main danger but he’s had a few chances now and has disappointed on a couple of occasions. Improver has hinted at ability and money for Tony Martin’s charge would be of interest.
IT IS ordinary fare at Wexford on Thursday, where the biggest prize is the €25,000 offered in the two-mile-four-furlong veterans’ handicap chase.
That’s attractive enough to tempt the Banbridge-trained Mount Colah to make the jouyney. Rated 147, the 10-year-old has to concede upwards of 14lb to all of his opponents, including a 30lb concession to the two bottom weights Ibetellingyoualie and Blazing Beacon.
Locally-trained Blazing Beacon is now a 14-year-old and won this race three years ago off a mark of 122. Now rated just 105 and 12lb out of the weights, he also has to overcome a 488-day absence from a racecourse.
Mount Colah really is different class to this opposition. His last two outings were in Grade Two company, behind Days Hotel at Naas and in Don Cossack’s Kinloch Brae Chase at Thurles. This represents an easy task, even with the weight, and it will be a surprise if he gets beat, even around this quirky track. Fever Pitch and Canaly may follow him in.
The novice handicap chase is a more open contest with top weight Westerners Son bidding to supplement his Thurles January success. He is now a four-time winner and, having gained sufficient chase experience, should be able to figure prominently.
Il Fenomeno was quite talented in his day and while it is nearly three years since he won a race, did run reasonably well at Clonmel last time, suggesting he could win from his current mark. Westerner Point was well held on his return, following a break, behind Il Fenomeno but is capable of better.
Tony Martin’s Five O’Clock Tea is thoroughly exposed but looks capable of building on his Navan fourth behind Chestnut Charlie. Robin Des People is possibly best watched on his handicap debut. The rated chase is a rather lopsided event with Lindenhurst and Champagne James seemingly best treated at the weights.
Credo Star and Prickly are both of interest on what they have shown in better company but both have absences to overcome. Champagne James might do best. Unless newcomer Alterno is any good, the opening four-year-old maiden hurdle might be Shamash, formerly trained by Mick Halford.
In the other maiden, there’d be a big chance for John McConnell’s Enzani. The novice handicap hurdle is a suitably modest affair and provides a chance for recent Gowran third Spring Forward to make amends.
Cest Notre Gris and Ontopoftheworld are a pair of potential dangers but they’ll hardly concede a stone to Spring Forward.
NEVILLE'S PICKS
2pm: Give Battle (next best Round Tower)
2.40pm: Ard Cregg (Tyrone Tiger)
3.20pm: Colms Dream (nap) (Troll D'Oudairies)
4pm: Kylestyle (Golden Boot)
4.40pm: Fine Rightly (Yes Tom)
5.15pm: Hasty Times (Miracle At Medina)
5.45pm: Dixie Lee (Tullyglush)
