Yesterday’s Review
0.75pt e/way Tokenomics (104) – It was right to take on the form horses as the short priced favourite Sparran Nua found the drop back in trip too much finishing unplaced, and Audience weakened into third place inside the final furlong. With 15mm of rain forecast two days in advance it was looking like the ground might come right for the selection. Despite Wednesday only seeing 3mm the going was changed from Good To Firm (Good in places) to Good (Good To Firm in places). However, the advertised going description gave connections who were looking for a bit of cut in the ground false hope. The winning times on the night were fast with conditions almost 10 lengths per mile faster than standard. Conditions would not have suited the selection and I was surprised he was allowed to run by connections as there was another non-runner in the race due to the going. The selection was held up in rear and never looked dangerous on the ground weakening into 7th place beaten 7.75 lengths. This was a long way off what he is capable of and he should bounce back to form on a softer surface going forward.
Today’s Advice
SEND HARRY (7f Hcap) – The selection came to the attention of clock watchers when recording a (108) timefigure over the extended 7f at Leopardstown back in June behind Goal Exceeded. He raced in midfield on that occasion before keeping on into 2nd place beaten 2.25 lengths with the ground riding on the fast side. The drop back to 6f 150y at Limerick next time out would have been against him but he still managed a sterling 4th place keeping on well down the outside behind the much improved Dancing Saxon. He disappointed recently at Galway finishing 9th of 15 with the ground described as Yielding, but the winning times on the day were indicating a Soft To Heavy surface which would not have been to his liking. The going for tonight’s (6.10) Gowran Park has been described as Good (Good To Firm in places) which should suit the son of Harry Angel much better. Regular pilot Jimmy Dalton takes a valuable 7lb off his back and the selection is now on the same mark as when beaten a neck by Oiche Rua at Dundalk last November over 7f. He looks worth an interest at a double figure price back on ground which should be much more suitable.
OCHTAR AGAINN (7f Hcap) – The selection showed her first piece of decent form on the clock last time out over 6f 150y at Limerick when racing in midfield and coming home in fourth place beaten 3 lengths by the Patrick Magee trained Glen Breeze while sporting first-time cheekpieces. A (102) timefigure would put her at the top of the chart for tonight’s (6.45) Gowran Park. The form of the race received a boost at Naas this week when the 5th placed horse Zheleznaya Dama won nicely from the front for trainer Brendan Duke in a Class 5 contest. The question is can she reproduce that performance tonight on a more undulating track? As this is a low grade contest stakes will be kept at a minimum. Nevertheless, I was happy to have a small interest on the daughter of Profitable at a double figure price.
VERVAIN (12f 100y Ladies Hcp) – This four-year-old filly was noted putting in an improved performance over 11.5f at Killarney last month just 8 days after her seasonal debut at Tramore. She raced in touch of the leaders before taking up the running inside the final furlong. She weakened into fourth place behind Arch Enemy at the finish but a career best (105) timefigure was recorded on the clock. The handicapper has left her alone on the ratings for tonight’s (8.30) Gowran Park, and she is currently 2lb below her last winning mark which she won off over 12f at Cork last July. Orla Tynan takes a handy 7lb off her back in this Lady Rider’s contest, and she was seen to good affect aboard Another Nice’day when winning at Navan last month. Dangers include Numidia who has done well to win his two latest contests but has risen a stone in the weights, and Forthill who is being tried in a first-time visor having disappointed last time out at Dundalk.
1pt e/way Send Harry (12/1 William hill, Betfred, Ladbrokes 4 places) 6.10 Gowran Park
0.5pt e/way Ochtar Againn (11/1 William Hill, Paddy Power, Ladbrokes, Coral 4 places) 6.45 Gowran Park
0.75pt e/way Vervain (7/2 general) 8.30 Gowran Park