Howiya gettin’ on?
Good…
Yeah, sure I’m not too bad meself. Survivin’ is all.
C’mere, I’m up to me eyes with a few jobs so I may drive on if that’s alright with yoursel’?
Sound as bell!
FYI there’s a little treat for you down the bottom. Consider it my attempt at a hidden bonus track on my album. But it’s not hidden. Anyway, I thought it was funny, stop judging me.
13:30 Irish Stallion Farms E.B.F. Mares Handicap Hurdle – I’m a fairly unapologetic fan of Toe The Line. She went into my notebook after her run behind Turcagua and I’d be happy enough to take a chance on her again here, although a touch on the short side for my good self.
14:00 1888 Restaurant Handicap Hurdle – This would seem to present itself as the trappiest race on the card. Interesting to see what the top horse does on debut for Gordon Elliot, but I always had bigger plans for Velvet Maker than this. I’ll be hoping the relative class I thought I saw in him once upon a time might shine through.
14:30 Spring Juvenile Hurdle (Grade 1): Nothing beats the pungent scent of a Grade 1 to set your Sunday alight. I’ve been crowing about Dinaria Des Obeaux to anybody who’ll listen. I was really taken with the Cork performance, considered the layer’s reaction to be incorrect and backed the horse for the Triumph accordingly. I was under the impression earlier this week Ruby was an odds on shot to ride the Wylie horse. Now that he’s clearly not, the voices in my head suggest they might be a bit uncertain about which is their best. I should probably see someone about those voices. Anyway, interesting to see how Joseph’s gets on. I’ve happily backed the Saddler Maker filly in the hope that she might improve from the last day and win.
15:00 Deloitte Novice Hurdle (Grade 1): The fact that Willie is running so many here would make you worry slightly about the possibily of this field producing a certain Cheltenham performer. Throw a few darts, hope one hits the bull. While Saturnas may be the one to beat, I’ll take a chance with Bunk Off Early who really struck me over Christmas. Hopefully he can follow up here.
15:30 Flogas Novice Chase (Grade 1): Although Bellshill may be a Grade 1 winner over hurdles and unbeaten over fences, I honestly wouldn’t trust him as far as I’d throw him. That has a lot to do with underlying trust issues anyway, but I’m not a massive fan. Our Duke gets the nod from me after an impressive display over Christmas. After opening up around 5’s, that’s been quickly snapped up, now trading around the 11/4 mark.
16:00 Stan James Irish Gold Cup (Grade 1): The main event. I won’t lie, I’ve struggled with this one. However, I’ve sided with Empire Of Dirt, after all my talk. While it’s easy to highlight a winner last time out, he did take my eye in the Troytown and stayed on well. I wouldn’t mind him in the National either if he was to go…
16:30 Leopardstown Inn Hunters Chase: My biggest bet of the meeting has been on Foxrock. I could not believe my eyes when one firm opened up even money. On The Fringe, the only realistic threat, normally puts in a bit of a stinker first time out each season and has bigger targets in mind. Foxrock is odds on now, but I’ll be in the ring with cash in hand if he opens up anything close to evens. The NAP.
17:00 Leopardstown Club Membership (Pro/Am) Flat Race: I won’t take a massive position here, but the one I have backed already is Golden Oriole at 10/1. While there may be market indications to come, I know Robbie has been bullish about his up until recently.
HIDDEN BONUS TRACK TIME!
So, in 2013 I started this blog and had a good Cheltenham. A very big moment for the P&L was Salsify winning the Foxhunters. They say a good punter doesn’t show much emotion, hence I’m not a great punter!! Oscar Delta and Jane Mangan led Salsify over the last and looked set for victory, only for the two to part company on the run in with Salsify taking glory by default. This moment was caught on camera. While I do hate the fact that we took pleasure in someone else’s (sorry Jane) misfortune, every single person in this room had backed Salsify with… let’s just say ‘gusto’.
Enjoy! Needs sound!
So that’s it for now folks!
Hopefully it will all go to plan!
Slán tamaillín,
T
Turf Talk 