Yesterday’s Review
0.5pt e/way Sunfyre – The selection was beaten 45.5L and it would appear obvious that he hasn’t ran his race. However, the response when coming under pressure 3f out was very minimal. Brian Ellison’s gelding did look less than straightforward under pressure at Ayr, hence the minimum stake. Hopefully nothing untoward happened yesterday.
1pt e/way Hackman – It’s never easy to rate straight course races on a card when only one race has taken place on it. The usual angle is to simply rate the race as being run to par. In this case the Sprint course and the Round course were described as being very similar with Going Stick readings of (6.8) and (6.7) on Thursday morning at 9.00am. With this in mind, one going allowance has been established for the entire card. Rather than a Par speed figure of (101) for the winner, Elite Status, we have a speed figure of (115), easily the best 2-y-o figure of the season. Karl Burke has said that he has more scope for improvement than his sire Havana Grey, who he also trained, and that he has the potential to be a superstar sprinter. The Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot is the next stop, for which he will no doubt be a short priced favourite. Interestingly, he has also been cut in price for The Coventry Stakes. That would be some contest with River Tiber and Asadna, if connections were tempted to step up to 6f. Hackman (105) has thus ran a good bit below his Chester figure of (112). I would keep him in mind back on a softer surface going forward. He still managed to finish third which is a fine performance. Result 3rd 8/1, 15/2 adv… SP 8/1.
1pt e/way Tables Turned – A slowly run race which didn’t suit the selection, who was held up a bit too far back for my liking. Considering he was beaten a nose for third place and 0.5L for the win, having been backed from 14/1 into 15/2, it wouldn’t be too harsh to say that we were robbed of a place at least.
Today’s Advice
0.5pt e/way Hersilia – Charles Hills’ filly takes her chance in the (3.25) Bath as the complete outsider of the field. Having not been seen for 190 days and with just three unplaced efforts on turf, her position in the market would appear warranted. However, she did show a glimmer of ability when only beaten 3.25L at Chelmsford while recording a speed figure of (103) behind Street Parade. That performance alone would see her competitive today. Her career debut at Newbury shows that she can handle turf when recording a RPR of 66 in a slowly run race. It may well be that this is just a starting point for her season, but I am happy to have a small interest at the prices on offer.
1pt e/way Bellaphina – John Andrew Kinsella’s filly holds the two best performances on the clock of today’s field for the (6.00) Curagh. Both performances came over 7f with a (109) at Leopardstown last season, and a (110) lto at Limerick. The question is how will she cope with the step up to a mile. On breeding it doesn’t look rock solid but her style of racing would appear to give her every chance. It would appear that she seems well handicapped of a mark of just (82) today and she looks worth a try at this trip.
0.5pt e/way Hightimeyouwon – Ado McGuiness’ gelding has had a revival in form over today’s distance on the All-Weather at Dundalk since he acquired him from Dermot Weld back in November. Two efforts on a very soft surface may not have shown him in the best light recently and today’s better ground at the Curragh (7.00) may bring about a return to form. Having reached a career high handicap mark of (92) last season, he now races off (78) and with Cian MacRedmond’s 5lb claim he looks very well treated. With the blinkers back on today everything looks in place for a big performance from the son of Garswood, if he can put his best foot forward.
1pt e/way Tosen Wish – This son of New Bay caught the eye lto when appearing to have been given a very patient ride for trainer Ado McGuinness at Cork and takes his chance in the (7.30) Curragh tonight. On that occasion he was held up a very detached last from the rest of the field and made strong late progress scything through the opposition to finish fifth. He would appear to be well treated off a handicap mark of (89) and again Cian MacRedmond’s 5lb claim will come in very handy. A career best (114) was recorded on the clock at Dundalk over 7f when with Joseph O’Brien in February, and it would appear that a step up to a mile will suit him very well. The immensely likeable Dunum will prove a difficult opponent today, but hopefully the 9lb the selection receives from him will prove valuable.