Saturday’s Review
1pt e/way Rousing Encore (107) – The selection came through from the rear and looked to have the race in the bag when leading near the finish only to hang left on the line and get headed in the last stride. A surefire win thrown away by the horse, unlucky….Result 2nd 4/1, 7/2 adv…7/2 SP.
1pt e/way Gavriel (109) – The selection raced keenly on the near side and following some nice headway over two furlongs out took up the running to win the race on his side. Unfortunately, the far side held sway by a half length and it looked like he would have won in another few strides. A solid performance from one who will benefit from a return to 10f. Result 2nd 5/1, 9/2 adv…4/1f SP.
0.75pt e/way Bayside View (101) – A return to form from the selection who was given a lot to from the rear but managed to weave her way through past all but three of her rivals despite having to wait for gaps to appear. She showed that she can win again soon if connections can ride her a little more forward. Result 4th 7/1 adv…17/2 SP.
Today’s Advice
NO MORE HIDING (11f Hcap) – The (4.19) Down Royal may be high in numbers but it looks limited in contestants with a progressive profile. The selection is on one of the more lightly raced types who put in a career best performance last time out over 13f at today’s venue when finishing runner-up behind the impressive Flagstone Lady. She travelled strongly on the day and had to wait for her run from over two furlongs out before keeping on well to go down by just 2.5 lengths. The handicapper has seen fit to raise her 4lb and regular pilot Billy Lee is back on board once again.
She looks a worthy favourite and in a race where it is difficult to get excited about any of her rivals she looks the one to side with.
FLAGSTONE LADY (11f Hcap) – This improving three-year-old showed a decent turn of foot for a 49 rated handicapper last time out over 13f at Down Royal. Drawn widest of all she always had her rivals in sight before making decent headway over 2 furlongs from home and when rousted along, by her more than capable apprentice Reese Holohan, she kept finding all the way to the line.
The handicapper has taken a fair swipe at her with an 11lb rise and the drop back to 11f might not be ideal but she looks worth keeping on the right side of with Reese Holohan taking the ride once again and still being able to claim 7lb. The main danger on the clock would appear to be the Andrew Oliver trained Connecteo who disappointed at Dundalk 3 days ago and can race more prominently than the selection. He was just reeled in over 13f in a low grade handicap at today’s venue earlier in the month and it will be up to the selection’s young rider not to allow him too much leeway.
1pt e/way No More Hiding (7/2 Paddy Power, William Hill, Skybet 4 places) 4.19 Down Royal
1pt e/way Flagstone Lady (11/4 William Hill, Ladbrokes, Coral 4 places) 4.50 Down Royal
1pt e/way Double