Friday 28th June
By SP2A Analysis
CURRAGH 7.15 Stayers Handicap - 2 miles - 17 run - Good to Firm
There is plenty of rain due; over the next few days in Ireland; so this will be the last run for many on Good to Firm for a while.
I think we can discount Scaramanga on his return off a break, I think this is a prep race; possibly for Galway in 4-5 weeks, also for some of the big long distance Autumn Flat races. Ahost of these have proven stamina over Hurdles but not yet fully on the Flat and there is a marked difference between getting the 2 miles over obstacles to the Flat. The likes of St Faz are in that category and also have to prove they can handle Good to Firm Going, Elliots horse Barrier is upped 7lbs and also has to confirm conclusively it likes top of the ground.
I was left with a short list of 4 horses, 3 with optimum confidence, so here they are in preference order.
STOKE THE FIRE looks very solid and 4-5/1 might be very good each way banker material in the early markets, I think it's the one to beat here if my logic about Scaramanga is correct. GRAPPA NONINO has form here over 14 furlongs and clearly got the 2 miles and a bit further on Good to Firm at York last season, it's another who really should be finishing in the first 4 here with just normal luck in running.
At bigger odds, I think the real each way value lies with BOLD APPROACH who is running in to some nice form, placed on last 2 runs and the step up to 2 miles from 14 furlongs is very logical when you look at the way he ran through the line full of running the last twice. The other to note IF you want to go 4 deep to play 5 enhanced places would be WALKING ON GLASS who has had placed runs here and at Galway off a mark of 71 last August, has had a quiet prep run over Hurdles and looks to be being primed for those August meetings again but plenty to like here off a mark of 69. I will TRACK this one forwards whatever the outcome this evening. (MG)