Ireland's Eye - Saturday

Saturday 31 January

IRELAND'S EYE

A quiet day for us yesterday with just two selections and though we did get our second choice Minella Boys home at 2/1 we still lost 5pts on the day.

Today is the last trading day of the month and we have high hopes of finishing the month on a high note - although unfortunately the meeting at Fairyhouse was abandoned earlier this morning.....

Nicky Richards' yard are in reasonable form and the Greystoke handler can land the 2-20 at Wetherby – an extended 2m 4f hc chase with former facile point scorer and subsequent three time winner The Whisperer. Though the Davy Condon ridden top weight is set to carry 11-12 the eight year old boasts a 100% record first time up and he can take this pot at the expense of course specialist Ellerslie Yewkay who could make a bold bid from the front.

Herecomesthetruth – formerly a useful point to pointer is arguably unlucky not to be unbeaten over fences, having run out when holding every chance on his second start in Cheltenham. In the meanwhile he has accounted for last weekends gritty hurdle victor Presenting Copper in Chepstow and the Ruby Walsh ridden gelding could make a bold bid from the front in this extended 2m 4f Grade 1 novice chase in Sandown at 2-35 against admittedly strong opposition but this fizzy sort should be helped by his slick jumping and give the Nicholls team yet another Saturday winner.

At Sandown the Totepool Contenders Hurdle at 2-05 over an extended 2 miles should prove highly informative with Afsoun, last years Champion Hurdle runner up Osana and last years Triumph hurdle winner Celestial Halo going head to head. With the second named having his first run of the season the vote goes to the Paul Nicholls trained and Ruby Walsh ridden Celestial Halo who was put in his place by Binocular last time but he should boost his Champion hurdle prospects here with a win over Osana.

The concluding extended 3 mile maiden hurdle in Doncaster looks decidedly open but there could be some value to be gleaned from supporting the Alison Thorpe trained ex Limavady scorer Normally who battled well to take a fair third on his Park bow over the trip in Chepstow on heavy a forthnight ago. Alan King's Thewincamdrift has been running consistently well and commands respect along with Broken Beau, bumper winner Picture This and former pointer Finbin.

ADVICE
RIVER SHANAKILL lay to lose 5pts 1-45 Wetherby
CELESTIAL HALO – 8pts win 2-05 Sandown
THE WHISPERER – 5pts win saver 3pts win Ellerslie George 2-20 Wetherby
HERECOMESTHETRUTH – 5pts win 2-35 Sandown
SHAKEY SCAFFOLD – 4pts win saver 2pts win Macs Lad 2-55 Fairyhouse
IFYOUCOULDSEEMENOW – 4pts win 4-00 Fairyhouse
NORMALLY 3pts win 1pt place 4-10 Doncaster