MICHAEL - Down Royal

 

2.30 - Handicap Hurdle - 2 miles 4 furlongs - 15 run - Yielding (drying)

 

Jacenry upped 7lbs after a Course and Distance win last time is the one they all have to beat, a wiin saver is logical and completely at your discretion, there are a couple I really fancy though at more speculative each way prices.

 

Perfect Pupil is also penalised for a CD win last time and could form a small reverse F/Cast with Jacenry and at bigger prices, I would not rule out strong runs from Malton Groove whose runs at Thurles and Naas offer a sign of potential and Joes Turn who drops in trip but has a decent 3 mile P2P run on Good ground on it's CV.

 

Im most keen though on STOCKDALE a horse who can travel very strongly and who should be suited by this Track and better Going to end a spell of frustrating efforts that promised a lot for a long way in the respective races and our old friend GLENABO BRIDGE who has dropped again to it's magic handicap mark of 80 on a Course where it has a Course and Distance win for a decent lady pilot who claims and who has done very well on the old boy before.

 

Tips (1s) Stockdale / (2s) Glenabo Bridge

 

3.40 -Handicap Hurdle - 2 miles 6 furlongs - 15 run - Yielding (drying)

 

A Great Buzz is the one they all have to beat and the same logic re a discretionary win saver applies. Doonbeg Don a handicap debutant for De Bromhead and Blackmore will understandably be vying for favouritism given connections and Tankardstown Diva who steps up in trip from 2 and a half miles but with 3 mile P2P background is one I really fear and would definitely be 3rd pick if you wanted an extra punt to the enhanced places. Our old friend Mahler Appeal has regularly placed for us but I'm not sure the drop in trip is ideal even on this very stamina-sapping excellent Course.

 

I'm most keen though on the chances of  ARTOR and BENKEI. ARTOR is gradually coming down to a nice and competitive mark and should really be capable of an enhanced place in this field and  another trusty veteran BENKEI who ran very prominently to place over Course here in the Autumn off a mark of 96 and should find conditions ideal in a race where not that many are proven in terms of stamina or recent form.

 

Tips (1s) Artor / (2s) Benkei / (3s if you wish to enhanced places) Tankardstown Diva 

 

4.50 Handicap Chase - 2 miles 4 furlongs - 16 run - Yielding (drying)

 

There are 3 nominated reserves here so plenty of enhanced places on offer.

 

The favourites include Womalko, an unexposed Elliott horse who bled from the nose last time and whose sum parts of form don't suggest it's anything like bombproof. He Fitz In carries a 7 lbs penalty and drops in trip so may be vulnerable. Subset may need this and may just need slightly better ground but is definitely one we'll TRACK forwards. Politicise is coming down to a dangerous mark and once below 100 will be well worth very close scrutiny and would be our reserve tip IF any of the following didn't run.  

 

I'm most keen on TANGENTAL for whom a drop in trip should see a much better run and a couple at bigger prices really have caught my eye and shrapnel bets with a real degree of quiet confidence on them. SOLDIER OF HONOUR in particular has a very eye catching bit of placed Course and Distance form 3 runs back and a repeat of that would take it very close in my opinion and at around 20/1 looks great value and at bigger odds LEGACY OF DREAMS will find the drying ground a distinct benefit and has winning form at the trip and not too many at the bottom end of the market have that proven stamina.

 

Tips (1) Tangental / (2s) Soldier Of Honour / (3s) Legacy Of Dreams (reserve Politicise)