Ireland

Harness Racing at Portmanock

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The Vincent Delaney Memorial weekend is the highlight of the Irish harness racing season. Reason enough for me to get down to Portmanock where Ireland’s premier harness raceway is located. Haven’t been to harness racing for many years – the last time must have been a decade ago in Berlin at “Trabrennbahn Mariendorf” – I was intrigued to see how the experience would compare to the Irish thoroughbred racing scene.

So, last Sunday was some kind of new land for me, although I had in mind to go to Portmanock for quite a while. But if you’re not actively looking for it you wouldn’t know it’s on, never mind there is such thing as harness racing in Ireland. Finding the track itself can be a bit troublesome as well, if you’re not familiar with the area.

But once you’re there it’s just great fun. Obviously the crowd is different to what you would meet on a balmy Sunday afternoon at the Curragh. It’s a bit more raw, I’d say. Well, “honest”, is probably the right word. I certainly enjoyed. Some pints, some bets, you’re close to the action…. it’s a great day out!

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Gelded Commodore can Improve big time

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Kilimanjaro

8.10 Kempton: Class 4 Handicap ,7f

Tricky affair but freshly gelded Commodore could be the answer, despite a bad draw. He was unlucky not to win at Sandown on his penultimate start. Subsequently failed to deliver off his revised mark at Newmarket, though didn’t have the run of the race going for himself.

He can be better than that and now switched to the All-Weather should suit. Going against older horses shouldn’t be an issue but the weight for age allowance can make a huge difference in a race that lacks depth. He probably doesn’t need to improve allot to be in the shake-up, but the fact that sons of Kodiac often show dramatic improvements for being gelded, there is every chance he can be a big runner tonight.

Commodore @ 14/1 Bet365 – 5pts Win

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Monday Selections: Urban Moon Can Bounce Back

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4.30 Ayr: Class 3 Handicap, 1m 2f

In my eyes this looks wide open. While I understand why First Sitting is fancied, I fail to understand why he is such a short price. A dozen others in this field have to enter calculations too and he is simply on of the better chances in this race.

Most appeal on the given prices makes Urban Moon, who looks way overpriced here after slipping down to a very attractive mark. He won a hot Curragh Handicap last year and proved to have trained on when 1½ lengths beaten earlier this year at the same venue in a big Handicap of a mark off 93.

Two subsequent runs in the UK have yielded in two poor showings, but he has fallen down to a mark off 82 now! With the softish ground to suit, and the drop back to 10f not inconvenient, he must rate a prime chance in this field off this mark, if he can find back his form.

That is obviously the main question: What has been the reason for these last two performances? Given the race and price he is, I feel it’s a worthy risk to have a nibble on him.

Urban Moon @ 14/1 William Hill – 5pts Win 

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Saturday Selections: Cross Examine expected to improve

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5.20 Lingfield: Nursery, Class 6, 6f

This is a poor race and only a handful should have a chance. Most interesting is Cross Examine who makes his nursery debut off a potentially low mark. He didn’t show all too much in three maidens but is expected to improve now switched to this company.

He has been gelded since his last run and stats tell his trainer gets these things more often than not right. Cross Examine comes from a good family, is related to some fine talent and has the assistance of a top class rider today – he must be a prime chance in this field.

Cross Examine @ 13/2 Betfred – 5pts Win

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Saturday Selections: Michael’s Missile can score

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Naas

7.10 Ayr: Class 6 Handicap, 6f

Very hard to oppose Michael’s Missile who has found an excellent opportunity to score. He won here over course and distance last month, a form that works out extremely well, and he wasn’t disgraced subsequently in a big Handicap at Naas where he had not the best of starts and made a bit too much too early.

Back in the UK, he’s not here for a good day out, but to win. This field is poor and uncompetitive – he has every chance to win of his revised mark.

Michael’s Missile @ 2/1 Sportingbet – 10pts Win

Global Racing

Friday Selections: Golden opportunity for Dikta Del Mar

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Newsletter

3.10 Lingfield: Maiden Stakes, 1m 5f

Realistically there are only two horses in this race with a chance to win. That is obviously the short odds-on favourite Mr Cripps. His last form in a super hot Newbury maiden reads very strong and he has a prime chance if fit after a 3 month long lay-off, and if he takes to the All-Weather.

Second favourite Etibaar is an interesting alternative, though. He was quite a costly yearling, has a stellar pedigree but hasn’t lived up to it yet. He did okay in three maidens before moving into handicap company the last time. Blinkers fitted didn’t have the desired effect. He was way too keen.

These are off today. Connections used a little break to geld him which could have a huge impact given that his sire Kitten’s Joy has a tremendous record with his first time gelded sons. The switch to the All-Weather should also suit perfectly, given his US pedigree. Only slight concern is the trip.

At 4/1 I feel it is worth a nibble in this otherwise uncompetitive maiden. Mr Cripps may prove too good. But any weakness will be exploited by Etibaar who has a better chance to win than 20% in my book.

Etibaar @ 4/1 Bet365 – 5pts Win

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5.35 Tipperary: Abergwaun Stakes (Listed), 5f

The 3yo filly Dikta Del Mar must have a massive chance here. Unfortunately I realized this too late and the price is tumbling. Nonetheless 9/2 proves value given that she hasn’t been disgraced in a couple of hot races this year, following on from last seasons Listed success in France.

She clearly loves it soft and will appreciate these conditions today. I expect her to bounce back from a poor effort at Goodwood, where quick conditions didn’t suit. The drop into Listed class will help today, so will be the tons of weight she received all around.

Dikta Del Mar @ 9/2 Ladbrokes – 5pts Win

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6.05 Tipperary: Class 1 Handicap, 5f

Ultra competitive race and I like a couple of these. But for price reasons I can’t ignore A Few Dollars More who is surely too big at 18/1. He wasn’t seen to best effect at the Curragh the last time but might be better judged when there is a bit of juice in the ground as happened on his penultimate start when he won a Cork sprint. This form works out very well.

He is down to this very same mark again, and while this here is a stronger race, he gets in off an absolute feather weight. My perception is that with the soft going likely to suit today, he can be better than his current mark off 76.

A Few Dollars More @ 18/1 Bet365 – 5pts Win

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Light And Shade dangerous with headgear

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3.30 Wolverhampton: Class 4 Handicap, 9f

A very competitive little race – you could easily make a case for each and everyone. However from a price point of view Light And Shade is overpriced in my book. He’s potentially well exposed compare to others, but that says he has the right form in the book and is likely to run to his mark.

What is interesting though is the fact that he is fitted with cheek-pieces for the first time. He has has a tendency of hanging as well as carrying his head high. So in addition to a noseband, he’ll be fitted with CP today.

He won really well on his penultimate start, overcoming all these issues and he wasn’t disgraced at all when last seen. Not all too well positioned, he stayed on late and it is not out of this world that he is capable of doing better and finding more improvement with the headgear potentially having a big impact.

In that respect it is noteworthy that Aqlaam offspring usually does extremely well with cheek-pieces.

Light And Shade @ 7/1 Coral – 5pts Win

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Thursday Selections: Virile could be well in

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20.15 Newcastle: Class 6 Handicap, 6f

This a poor affair as you would expect in this class but it is noteworthy that Mr. Donohoe brings a horse over from Ireland for this race. He has a history doing so and has been rather successful in recent years, so one would think there is a reason why Virile is going to post at Newcastle tonight.

The four year old gelding has been racing on the UK All-Weather a couple of times earlier in his career, with career best achieved at Wolverhampton when 2nd in a decent maiden behind a good winner. Since then he has been seen largely in Ireland but wasn’t up to his marks.

However he looked far more into in his last two starts when he travelled notably well for a long time. He has been dropped to a career lowest mark nonetheless and will have the additional benefit of the 7lb claim of an apprentice in the saddle. I believe he could be seriously well handicapped in this field today for this reason.

Virile @ 8/1 Coral – 5pts Win

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Wednesday Selections: Man Of Harlech’s a Big Runner

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Wet Dundalk Polytrack

8.40 Kempton: Class 4 Handicap, 1m

Favourite Up In Lights is potentially very well handicapped on his debut in this company, and the weight for age allowance is a clear bonus. He may well hack up. But I believe there is massive value on Man Of Harlech, who could be a very potent threat here.

This will be the third run after a long break, during which he was gelded. He clearly needed his first run but was quite unlucky the next time at Sandown when poorly positioned and a clear run denied. However he finished very strongly with seemingly plenty left in the tank.

He drops in grade now, and this potentially easier opposition should help him to defy top weight. He is very nicely bred and comes from a family that does exceptionally well on the All-Weather. So the switch to this surface can be only in his favour today. At 9/2 he is an excellent alternative to the rather shortish favourite in my mind.

Man Of Harlech @ 9/2 Coral – 5pts Win

Global Racing

Tuesday Selections: Zhukova can win Cork feature

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Cork Racecourse

Good win for Harlequin Rock yesterday. Feels always good to get things right, as it doesn’t happen too often! Mass Rally looked to come storming home on the outside but faded away eventually. He needs more help from the handicapper these days. Katimavik was NR.

7.35 Ripon: Class 3 Handicap, 5f

This could be an excellent opportunity for the old boy Noble Storm to get back on the score sheet. The nine year old hasn’t been exactly close to winning this year but more often than not wasn’t disgraced nor far beaten.

He drops to a very handy mark now which should see him competitive in this grade, particular today with ground conditions sure to suit well.

Noble Storm @ 16/1 Paddy Power – 5pts Win

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7.50 Chelmsford: Class 3 Handicap, 10f

The two fillies at the top of the market could be hard to beat here. Talawat of bottom weight will go very close if she gets the trip against this better opposition. Martlet makes more appeal as she is proven over track and trip.

However I feel Taaqah is overpriced here. She went close over a mile at Chelmsford earlier this year, when runner-up behind Boonga Roogeta. She hasn’t been seen to best effect in her last two starts but the return to the All-Weather may help. She steps up in trip and that is the factor which may see her improving a bit again.

On pedigree she has every chance to do so as a son of Arch out of a Gone West mare who has a stake in multiple St. Leger winner Leading Light.

Taaqah has only one maiden win to her name yet, and that over 6f. It’s is not given that she appreciates the new trip. But it’s possible. There aren’t too many in this field with a realistic chance on handicapping terms and therefore I believe she is a rather big price here.

Taaqah @ 16/1 Ladbrokes – 5pts Win

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8.00 Cork: Give Thanks Stakes (Fillies’ Group 3), 1m 4f

This two times races filly Zhukova progressed nicely from her debut run when she landed a Navan maiden in fine style back in June. Trainer Dermot Weld was quite happy and was hoping she would make into a nice Stakes filly over further. Today is the chance.

She lacks experience in this field but is extremely well bred and should appreciate the step up in trip. With natural progression she can go close.

Zhukova @ 14/1 Ladbrokes – 5pts Win

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