Ireland's Eye on Sunday

Sunday 29 March

IRELAND'S EYE 

Another short priced double yesterday courtesy of Kangaroo Court (13/8-10/11) and Deutchland (4/9) kept our run going though our lays failed to click though Predatuers task was simplified by the non appearance of our selection Personal Column in Uttoxeter.

Today we will concentrate on the hunter chases at the three meetings in Kelso, Newton Abbot and Downpatrick where there looks to be a couple of value wagers.

The former Eugene O’Sullivan trained Fruitfull Citizen has been in fine form ‘between the flags’ in England of late and she will have her supporters to land the 2-20 in Newton Abbot – a 2m 5 1/2f hunter chase under 7lb claimer Lucy Jones. However we will take on the daughter of Anshan with the decent pointer Touch Of Flame for the Cumings yard to open his account in the hunter chase sphere at the age of 10. Alroyal is another to consider.

Ted Gunther has let this column down on a couple of occasions but the Fahy runner is given another chance to open his account under Rules (maiden in points also) under his 7lb claimer in the 2m 5 1/2f hc chase in Downpatrick. Though beaten when falling at the last in down Royal over 3m last time the 7yo is suited by this shorter trip and he should get the better of prolific point winner Jamadiel off a low weight though Shay Slevins runner has shown his best form with some ‘cut’ in the ground.

The 2m 5 1/2f hunter chase in Downpatrick at 4-55 looks a typically open affair with several holding leading chances. However we will narrow it down to two with Gerard Keanes Steviemac just getting the nod over the useful and successful (in points) mare Winning Counsel. The former pulled off a nice ‘touch; for connections when scoring in style in a Nenagh maiden on third point start and was not disgraced when taking a modest fourth behind the top notch An Siorrac on hunter chase debut recently. However Ian Fergusons 7yo mare Winning Counsel will be ideally suited by the drying ground and she looks set to improve on her second in a Tyrella point recently and give the selection a serious test under 5lb claimer Ross O’Sullivan. Noel Meades Brynner – who would have collected on his point debut but for running out at the last in Tyrella – also holds a leading chance.

We took a chance with the useful Robbers Glen in the Christies Foxhunters chase in Cheltenham and though the 9yo never really got into the fray he did stay on to take a reasonable fifth spot behind the useful Cappa Bleu. Although it is somewhat perilous tipping some Cheltenham runners (example Fair Point yesterday) this course and distance scorer can land a competitive looking 3m 1f in Kelso this afternoon at 5-00 under regular pilot though he has to give weight away to all his rivals. The Reverend finished in front of the selection in early February and rates a big danger following a wide margin success over the course (2m 6 1/2f) last time on soft. In the hope that the better ground will suit our selection better he is taken to land his fourth chase win. Useful point to point winner A Boy Named Sioux cannot be left out of calculations either.

ADVICE
3pt win TOUCH OF FATE 2-20 Newton Abbot
1pt win (saver) FRUITFULL CITIZEN 2-20 Newton Abbot
4pt win TED GUNTHER 4-20 Downpatrick
2pt win (saver) JAMADIEL 4-20 Downpatrick
4pt win STEVIEMAC 4-55 Downpatrick
3pt win (saver) WINNING COUNSEL 4-55 Downpatrick
5pt win ROBBERS GLEN 5-00 Kelso
3pt win (saver) THE REVEREND 5-00 Kelso