Thurles 12.10 Handicap Chase - 3 miles 1 furlong - Good (showers) - 16 run

 

A very quiet week in Ireland but a decent Card here to set us up for a very busy week after Christmas 

 

At the top of the market Malinas Glory has a 6lbs penalty and a niggle about the trip so 9/4 looks very short to me, as does the 5/1 about Brandt also upped in trip. Another one who seems to be handicapped to the hilt is Brandt, who came out 5th of my top 5 rated in this race.

 

Mustameet Secret is in the TRACKER and will come good at some point but I feel not today and my 4th rated and reserve in the event of a non runner is Turbo a Course winner, upped in trip considerably but a 2 mile 6 furlong winner back around 4 years ago if you go that deep in to old form, as we do.

 

My clear top 3 rated though are BEARWITHMENOW a talented but inconsistent type who just feels "due", runs off a very competitive handicap mark of 84 and that is before you add a talented 5lbs Claimer. The jockey is also a factor in selecting THE LITTLE YANK who is out of form but back to a very competitive mark and the booking of Danny Mullins certainly catches my imagination. Finally, LADY KATE who is more of a spring and autumn type and who has been off for 133 days but I can't ignore the fact she was runner up at this meeting last season, provided the ground is Good and no worse than Good to Soft she could well run another big race and the use of cheek pieces for the first time seems significant! (MG)

 

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Hereford 1.38 - Mares Handicap Chase - 3 mile 1 furlong - 13 run - Soft - Class 3

 

A solid trio at the top end of this market but i do feel that REGATTA DE BLANC is a Mare that has significant untapped potential and one that we've yet to see the best of, the presence of the talented Harry's Hope for Ben Pauling and Lady Balko ensures that the 4/1 early for RDB is a backable win price.

 

Moonlit Potter for the in form Henry Daly yard, Lagonda for the always dangerous Venetia Williams yard, Sacre Coeur whose boom or bust front running style could have then all out of their comfort zone and Ah Whisht an unexposed ex 3 mile P2P winner will all provide very significant opposition in a cracking contest.

 

However, to take on REGATTA DE BLANC, I am most keen on MY SILVER LINING who ran a series of superb races last series and who come here off a very nice mark of 127 as a result of being Pulled Up the last twice. The Yard though has just begun to click into form with horses slowly coming to hand and I think the early pace angles could set this one up very nicely . My 3rd rated if you want a poke to 4th enhanced place at a nice price too would be JESSIE LIGHTFOOT proven stamina off a decent mark and in good form and the return of a capable professional pilot will be another boost. (Advisor)

 

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Haydock 3.15 - Handicap Hurdle - class 3 - 3 miles 1/2 furlong - 11 run - Heavy

 

Supremely West is one of those unlucky consistent types who always seems to come up either a progressive one or one as a plot job, deserves a win but this is no gimmie. Magical KIng will find the last few furlongs of this race very challenging on current evidence, My Bobby Dazzler will come on for a recent run but may still need this and just seems a Spring type to me, Our Sam was runner up in this race last year off a mark of 117 and will be a danger off a mark of 114 but had a very nasty looking fall last time and The Imposter is added to the TRACKER from today very progressive before a break, has had one run back and one to follow forwards in the New Year.

 

I think the best each way value is CASTLE RUSHEN for Nicky Richards, travelled very well in a Class 1 last time before fading and back in the right grade a repeat of that would be as good as any other form. STRATTON OAKMONT is a horse who just keeps steadily improving and should come to peak prowess in 2025. The return run was needed and I think another small bit of progress could see this horse taking this. (North)

 

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We looked at The Long Walk Hurdle at Ascot and The Tommy Whittle at Haydock but neither offer any confident punting options.