Sean - Clonmel 4.05

 

There are a good few in here who have to prove themselves in terms of stamina and for appreciation of the likely heavy Going. We have 3 long term Trackers in Bonne Debut (who really needs to just put in a good clean round of jumping to get confidence back and probably needs better going), Auckland (a progressive horse but this trip and Going are a complete unknown) and Robinstown (who has moved to a new Yard, is happy in mud but who past evidence and a new stable suggests may just need the run). Of them in terms of today Robinstown is the most likely but all 3 of them are we think best watched on this occasion. Their time will come!

 

Good World is the favourite having won its last 2 races off marks of 89 and 98, it gets another 8lbs and won't have confronted Going this testing either so I will take it on confidently with BALLYKEEL from the Elliott yard. It ran a pleasing seasonal debut recently, it clearly gets the trip from its P2P days and the Going should hold no terrors and it will be very disappointing if its not placed at the very least but frankly, I'm hard pressed to see what beats it here!

 

Winning Rascal is another in form winner who gets another penalty and off a mark of 106 (10lbs rise) I'd have concerns about the mark and the Going. PORTSTORM is a nice dual purpose horse who has been highly tried on occasions. The trip, Going and hurdle mark all look within range for this the only niggle is race fitness but it's run well fresh before and I think an investment is justified.

 

At bigger odds I will add lOW LIE THE FIELDS to the Tracker, it's lost confidence over fences but once it regains confidence over Hurdles is well worth keeping onside and I would be surprised if it nicked a place here if taking back to the smaller obstacles so I'll cover that off with a small £1 e/w. At the biggest price currently, I think GOTTHENOD is seriously underrated given its proven Course form and form at the trip in these kinds of conditions. I'd be confident it'll beat more than beat it, its won off 102 over Course and Distance, is race fit and one I confidently expect to run a big race so lets ignore the market and have a bash.

 

TIP - Ballykeel / Tracker - Portstorm / shrapnel - Gotthenod (see notes re Low Lie The Fields)