Thursday 29 January
IRELAND'S EYE
Definitely not a good day at the office on Wednesday with nothing to show in Limerick so its back to Thurles today where there looks some interesting bets on a decent card.
A 2m 5f novice hurdle on testing ground at 2-35 in Thurles will place the premium in stamina and one who fills that bill perfectly is Dessie Hughes Lurgan who was going away at the finish when victorious in Naas last time and previously was far from disgraced when losing out by a length and a half to subsequent good winner The Midnight Club from the Willie Mullins yard. Indeed Mullins provides tache main danger in the former point winner Borrowaddy who also scored on the all weather and over hurdles in Wexford last time. However the Roger Loughran ridden 7yo looks to be on the upgrade and he can see off Borrowaddy and Hello Kitty.
Another fine renewal of the Grade 2 Kinloch Brae Chase over 2m 4f at 3-05 with the likes of One Cool Cookie, Knight Legend, Scotsirish, Glenfinn Castle and the formerly very useful mare Cailin Alainn set to face the starter. In a race where the ratings show there is very little between the principals the vote goes to arguably the most progressive runner in the field – the former point winner Scotsirish from the Willie Mullins yard with Ruby Walsh on board. The eight year old comes here on the back of a comprehensive win in the Hilly Way in Cork and though some doubts have been raised over his suitability at this trip there is no evidence to back up such misgivings. Knight Legend who went down to One Cool Cookie in Tramore last time may pose the main threat in addition to Glenfinn Captain. Cailin Alainn cannot be left out of calculations getting weight from the boys.
Former pointer Mark The Book has not yet achieved what he promised on initial efforts since joining Philip Hobbs and has been lightly raced in the process. The strapping eight year old son of Mister Lord and Kildorrery point winner admittedly returns from over a year off the track but he could be best when caught fresh and chasing was always going to be his game and he can finally deliver at the third attempt by taking the 2m 6f novice chase in Towcester at 4-00 under Tom O'Brien.
Local trainer Willie Harney has a decent mare on his hands in course winner Bohemian Lass and though the sweet jumping 6yo proved no match for the progressive Merchant Paddy last time she now reverts to mares company and though she has to carry a small penalty for her dual success over fences she can land this Grade 2 2m 4f chase at 4-05 under Johnny Cullen. Moskova who is best when delivered late and Garrai Ard look the main dangers.
The concluding 3m hunter chase at 4-35 is the first of 2009 and here Enda Bolger who boasts a proud record in this discipline is represented by the frustrating Freneys Well who has failed to score in 9 attempts in hunter chases/bank contests and has proved costly in the process. Though he did show himself to be in fine fettle when narrowly going down to the useful ex chaser Marcus Du Berlais in Kilfeacle recently we will take him on with John Costellos relatively lightly raced Carronhills who has come back this year in fine form, bolting home in an admittedly a modest Askeaton winners race having proved no match for the highly promising Enda Bolger trained An Siorrac previously. In addition the 5yo has the assistance of Nina Carberry. Three time point winner Another Marignan is another to enter calculations with Limerick hunter chaser scorer Twice The Craic.
ADVICE
LURGAN 5pts win saver 2pts win Borrowaddy 2-35 Thurles
SCOTSIRISH – 4pts win saver 2pts win Knight Legend 3-05 Thurles
MARK THE BOOK – 6pts win 4-00 Towcester
BOHEMIAN LASS – 6pts win saver 2pt win Moscova 4-05 Thurles
CARRONHILLS – 5pts win 4-35 Thurles
FRENEYS WELL – lay to lose 4pts 4-35 Thurles
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