Thursday 19 November
IRELAND'S EYE
There was to be plenty of action on both sides of the water today but Thurles fell foul of the weather in Ireland at a late stage but at least Hereford, Wincanton and Huntingdon cater for jumping enthusiasts in England. A former point winners should be on the mark in a Huntingdon novice chase today for Andy Turnell.
On a generally disappointing day our only winner proved to be saver Moskova (2/1) in the mares chase at Thurles while Cane Brake (10/1) and Bluegun (11/4-9/4) did get into the money in a handicap hurdle and novice chase respectively. However we did get the 1-2 when Footy Facts (9/2) beat our next best Glenquest (7s morn-15/8) in a handicap chase at the Tipperary venue in our supplementary service.
The 2m ½ novice chase at Huntingdon today at 2-10 brings together some decent hurdlers in My Moment, Micheal Flips and Dave’s Dream to name just a few. With all three making their chase debuts and with just over a stone seperating the trio on official hurdle ratings a lot will depend on how they take to the major obstacles in what could be a contest run at a brisk pace. The narrow vote goes to the Andy Turnell trained Michael Flips – winner of a Lismore point and a subsequent winner of good ground Stratford and Kempton hurdles as point experience may just swing the issue in favour of the Kayf Tara gelding. However any easing in the ground would not be an aid to the progressive sort and if that were to happen the vote would have to go to Dave’s Dream – a bumper and three time hurdle winner from the Nicky Henderson yard who boasts success on heavy ground and is rated 5lb superior to the selection over hurdles.
Nebeltau is an interesting runner in the 2m 5 1/2f novice chase at Hereford today at 2-20 as the 7yo proved a four time winner ‘between the flags’ in Ireland, only tasting defeat on one occasion and the German bred boasts the distinction of winning an open against older horses as a 4yo! However the Johnjo O’Neill trained gelding would appear to have had his training problems and though he usually runs well when fresh an absence of more than two years looks a big drawback in this company. Whilst Donald McCains Fiendish Flame has to give away 6lbs to his field here as he boasts the only success over fences of the field to date he did put in an excellent round of jumping at Carlisle over the minimum trip and a repeat of that performance should suffice here as the trip should pose no problem as the son of Beneficial did score on heavy over 2m 5f at Uttoxeter in a hurdle earlier this year. Henrietta Knights Minella Theatre – a former bumper winner for Joe Crowley rates the obvious danger to the selection on his seasonal and chase debut and he might even be better suited by a tougher test long term.
Course winning form often proves important especially when the ground rides on the testing side and though Tom Taaffes Smoking Aces has not sen course action for some 201 days the former course soft ground bumper winner can land his second hurdle win in the 2m hurdle at Thurles at 2-05. A son of Old Vic the 122 rated 5yo should handle the heavy ground here and boasts a placing on same and he may prove the superior to the Mouse Morris trained Elysian Rock – a good winner of a Punchestown maiden hurdle over this trip on soft in May and though he disappointed on most recent start there were excuses for that performance. With a possible edge in regards to fitness the Niall Madden ridden 5yo rates a danger to the selection while the in form Mullins yard supply Dooneys Gate who could be better served by a stiffer test.
1-00 WINCANTON – 2m 6f novice hurdle
Richard Barber is noted for producing recruits from the point fields and his unbeaten VICO looks the answer to the opening contest at Wincanton on his debut for Paul Nicholls. Inside Dealer could prove next best on his hurdle debut.
ADVICE
BET 4pt win FIENDISH FLAME 2-20 Hereford
BET 2pt win (saver) MINELLA THEATRE 2-20 Hereford
BET 4pt win (nap) MICHEAL FLIPS 2-10 Huntingdon
BET 2pt win (saver) DAVE’S DREAM 2-10 Huntingdon
We are now recording the daily profit and loss of Ireland's Eye to help readers gauge the current form of the service. We will provide the profit / loss on the previous day to a £1 level stake on each selection (eg: a 5 point bet = a £5 stake). In the interests of consistency the profit / loss will be recorded at SP prices, however BETDAQ users can reasonably expect to beat SP in the majority of races.
Wednesday's Return was: LOSS 20 points
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