Evening all. A late start, but Sean Flannery from Goffs has withheld me from this most important task.

Onwards.

Apologies but this will be extremely brief.

12:20 Martinstown Opportunity Handicap Chase: I’ll rake an each way chance with Skellig Rocks for Arthur Moore on his handicap chase bow.

12:50 Guinness Maiden Hurdle: Surely I can get a fav beaten at some stage, so I’ll take a flyer on Couer Joyeux who should improve from Punchestown.

13:20 Willis Towers Watson E.B.F. Mares Hurdle (grade 3): Given the strength of Willie’s mares in the Novice Hurdle category this year, Let’s Dance must be the one for acca.

13:55 Neville Hotels Novice Chase (Grade 1): I’m finding it very hard to look past the 9/4 about Coney Island, who I think could be a serious contender come the RSA at the Cheltenham festival.

14:30 Ryanair Hurdle (Grade 1): I’m going to go a bit off the wall here but I’ll go for a horse to run in to second! I’d fancy Footpad at an each way price having been just touched off in Auteil the last day.

15:05 Top Oil E.B.F. Novice Handicap Hurdle (81-130) :  First to Boogie to get his front would be a great event for connections, but I’m going to give a second chance to Charlie Stoute for an each way bet. UPDATE : Charlie Stoute is now a non-runner. I’d give Exactoris a shout in lieu! 

15:35 Donohoe Marquees Flat Race: I’ve taken the 7/2 about Artic Light in the last. Hopefully the 7 claimed off should be a help.

Sin é! A very Happy New Year to you and yours!

Slán tamaillín,

T

Yes, just when you think you might have the whole thing sussed, it comes back and gives you a swift kick to the town halls.

Pick yourself up, dust yourself down. We go again.

This will be brief. Apologies.

12:15 At The Races Maiden Hurdle: It didn’t pay to well to take on the favs on Day 2, but I’m going to take on Montalbano here. I’ll take a chance with Black Key in the hope of improvement after a decent showing in a maiden the last day, the form of which I would rate pretty highly.

12:50 Pertemps Network Handicap Hurdle (Qualifier): There’s a very sceptical way of looking at these qualifiers, but I won’t get in to that. Basically the bottom half of the card will need to win to get in to the final. With that in mind, I’ve had a look at the 10/1 about Isleofhopeanddreams.

13:20 Ballymaloe Foods Beginners Chase: I’m a pretty unapologetic fan of Acapella Bourgeois, and whilst I think he might need a touch further in trip, I think he’s not without his chance here and whilst 4/1 might not represent cracking value, it does suggest market uncertainty about the top two. I’m a fan of the horse and I’ll be backing him in this company.

13:50 Squared Financial Christmas Hurdle (Grade 1): Whilst going down to Apples Jade the last day was a bit of a dent to the once bomb-proof confidence I had in the ‘Mag’, 4/5 is a bet for me. She’s well in with her allowance. She’s entitled to have improved from her seasonal bow, too. Vroum Vroum Mag, for me.

14:25 Irish Daily Star Christmas Novice Handicap Hurdle: I quite like the form of Charlie Stoute here.  He’s on the upward curve and should have a bit more in the locker. 8/1 knocking around at the minute is ripe for an each way bet.

15:00 Lexus Chase (Grade 1): I’ve taken the 2/1 about Djakadam. I was very taken with his John Durkan performance and think he’ll have improved. I like Valseur Lido but just am not compelled to back him at that price. I’ve had an each way saver on Road To Riches at 25/1, I think that could turn out to be massive on this fastish ground.

15:35 Midland Legal Solicitors Flat Race: The fav has been touted as a ‘proper horse’ but the price is prohibitive. I’d take a flyer with Moyross for Noel Meade at the 5/2 mark with 5lb  claimed off!

Sin é!

Slán tamaillín,

T

 

Evening all.

After a relatively successful day at the office, one is on rather good form. One must add that one has had one or two… so one has. *Subtly Aftertimes* Backing a handful of winners and a 10/1 poke in the last caused for celebration.

Enough of the drivel, let’s crack on, shall we?

12:15 Paddy Power ‘only 363 Days Till Christmas’ 3-y-o Maiden Hurdle: My days, that’s a very funny name for a race.  Someone needs to give that marketing team at PP a massive raise. Ahem. Anyway, the O’Brien duo dictate the market and I’ll be looking for an each way alternative in this big field. 10/1 bar the top three in the market, so we’re playing for 4th or better here, kids. Easy. Alcander is an E/W bet for me at 16/1 currently. Race fit and ready to hit the frame once again after featuring in two good maidens this term, although well held by the winners.

12:45 Paddy Power ‘easiest To Use Mobile App’ Maiden Hurdle: My exact quote when looking at this market for the first time was “Barcardys, 2/5? Goof luck and f*cking thanks.” The fav may well turn out to be a sharp tool over timber, but I couldn’t be getting involved at that price, particularly coming in to this off the back of a fall. Capital Force provides sensible opposition here. Just touched off in a warm maiden hurdle last time, should improve. 11/4 about at the minute.

13:20 Paddy Power Cashcard Chase (Grade 1): I’m not getting in to this. Douvan wins. If you want more colour, read the papers. The beast is quite clearly an alien.

13:55 Paddy Power Future Champions Novice Hurdle (Grade 1): The dogs were barking before Riven Light’s Irish debut at the beginning of this month as if he is a very decent sort and I’m finding it very hard to oppose him here. Fair enough, this is Grade 1 company and a completely different caper altogether, but 11/4 seems big, and he’ll have improved.

14:30 Paddy Power ‘You Beauty’ Handicap Hurdle: This. Is. Hard. I’d find it difficult to stick with Desoto County in this type of race. He’s been ‘knocking on the door’ for far too long in my book and potentially has missed the boat, at least for a while, and is vulnerable to improvers. One such an improver I’ll be taking an E/W chance on is Veinard off a feather weight. Bang there the last day and still only off 119. That Fairyhouse form was franked by Charlie Stout at Thurles earlier this month too.

15:00 Paddy Power Chase: Listeners of the Racing Postcast (part of the day job) will have heard me laud, exalt and praise the fine specimen that is Ucello Conti. Bang there in this last year, should have won the Thyestes, ran a belter in the National… This horse has a big one in him, and showed it in the Becher the last day. Jumped (ok fine, the odd wobble) and travelled with every chance when not quite fit. Hopefully Mr. Jacob can keep his cool or I might bite… Two others that made the shortlist were Killer Miller and Stellar Notion, but I’ve decided to forgo  diversification of the portfolio, and have stuck with the lad, Conti. A very special word about the The Crafty Butcher, under the joint ownership of two good friends, Paul Byrne and Patrick Mullins, and two young upstarts from the world of the oval ball. The very best of luck lads, if by some bizarre turn of events your eyes end up on this!

15:35 Paddy Power Games ‘one For The Road’ Flat Race: Ballyward must surely be respected but I’d have Drumconnor Lad overpriced at 12/1. Granted, he’s been off for a significant period, but the profile would be of intrigue, particularly given the way the market seems to have overlooked him this evening. If the money comes tomorrow, my interest might be piqued.

So that’s it for Day 2 folks. Here’s hoping for another good day! Now, where’s that gin?

Slán tamaillín,

T

 

‘Twas the night before Leopardstown and all through the house,

Not a creature was stirring, aside from my mouse…

Yes indeed, a very cheesy festive greeting to you all, as I tap away here full of the joys of life, we lie in wait of the main event – sport.

After many, many gin and tonics and even more hours contemplating the issue, I have decided that small talk in the run up to Christmas can be treated much akin to a fight. A festive duel, if you will. Who can out-bamboozle the other with mundane dross about turkeys and trees?

As you can see, I’ve taken quite an aggressive stance.

Now, don’t get me wrong, I’m a big Christmas fan, me. But the season of advent does not give you the free rein to disengage your brain when embarking in conversation with your fellow (wo)man. I’ve treated all who offer the drivel of yuletide small-talk with the utmost contempt – if you open with “How’s the Christmas treating you?”, prepare to feel my wrath.

I’ve batted them back in many ways – for example, one friend of mine, once the life and soul of every conversation, now merely a guy who goes to ‘The Happy Pear’ with his significant other on a Sunday and only has a pint every other half moon, asked me recently when meeting on the street “Have you all the presents bought, bud?” How the mighty have fallen. So, to bring him right back to earth and give him a kick in the arse, I asked him quite audibly “When was the last time you farted in work?” This caught me man very much off guard and we parted ways, him puce, me triumphant in the knowledge that I had  rocked him to the very core. I probably need help, but for now, I’m happy.

Anyway, I hope you’ve all had a fantastic day, regards to the family. I hope the dog’s leg is on the mend. Did you ever get that leak sorted?…

Moving on…

As I type, the ground is described as ‘Yielding’.

12:15 Horse & Jockey Hotel Maiden Hurdle: It’s a little bit predictable but… Bunk Off Early has been touted to me know by several different judges as towards the top half of the Premier League of Willie Mullins’ Novice Hurdlers. Possibly even towards a Champions League spot. It’s as true in the top flight of English football as in all walks of life, ’tis a big help to on top at Christmas, so with that in mind I’ll be taking the 9/4 knocking about. Outspoken is the danger and will improve.

12:45 Thornton’s Recycling Maiden Hurdle: I was very much taken with Barra’s run in the fog at Gowran Park last time. 2&3/4 lengths second to the high-class Invitation Only on ‘Yielding’ sod after a year or more off the track is a fair run. Castello Sforza, obviously has a claim and should be right after the last day, but with Barra’s allowance I’d be nibbling at the 11/4.

13:15 Knight Frank Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 2): I was a bit flahulach there during the week and was contemplating laying Landofhopeandglory. Having watched many replays and trying to eek as much info as I can, I’ve slightly softened my stance there, but I’d still be opposing him in the betting. Baupaume is without doubt the improver and gets weight here. Fair enough Joseph’s was going away at the line the last day but I’m convinced Baupaume got a bit unbalanced after jumping the final flight and I’d be willing to give him a second chance. Soir De Chantenay is going in the tracker for the Fred Winter, you heard it here first.

13:50 Cardinal Capital Handicap Hurdle: Three made the shortlist for this when the decs came out and all have remained in. Artful Artist was at the top of this list but there’s not much juice left in his price, I’ll be looking elsewhere. I had Blast Of Koeman down as ‘RAN A BELTER‘ when coming down at the last in a warm maiden hurdle at Clonmel the last day and, although carrying top weight, could be worth an each way look. The other on the list was Another Challenge – a rating of 109 with 7lb claimed off would give him very good shout here. Good run the last day too.

14:20 Racing Post Novice Chase (Grade 1): Sit back, relax and don’t worry too much about betting here. At least, I won’t be. Enjoy the spectacle. If you’re asking me who do I think will win? – Min.

14:55 ‘Bet Through The Racing Post App’ Handicap Chase: My bet of the day tomorrow is Riviera  Sun. Chase form: 4,7,9,10… Given a chase mark of 102, wins first time in a handicap, hiked to 116, wicked mistake at the final fence in Cork to be beaten a short head the last day, up to 120… Still well handicapped. It won’t be turkey sandwiches for me tomorrow, t’will be the finest caviar if the handicapper hasn’t caught up with this lad yet. Mark Walsh’s pick of JP’s 3 in it.

15:30 Lep Inn Flat Race: No major opinion here just yet and it’s often a time of the year where everyone fancies their bumper horse, so it’s hard to know who to listen to! The fav might be an aeroplane, but 7/4 is not worth the risk just now. I’d have a gander at Joseph’s Aeglos. He’s been fairly well-respected in the betting the last twice, and possibly just needed a pipe opener the last day, although if that infamous gallop can’t get him fit…

Sin é. Now if you’ll excuse me, there’s a very large gin with my name on it in the next room. See you at Leopardstown!

Slán tamaillín,

T