IRELAND'S EYE on Thursday

Thursday 11 March

IRELAND'S EYE

With three competitive jumping cards at Wincanton, Carlisle and Clonmel today we have plenty of betting opportunities whilst in addition Southwell (afternoon) and Wolverhampton (evening) supplies the action on the all weather. A former decent chaser can land a hunter chase on his second start in that sphere at Wincanton while a point to point winning mare can take the opening maiden hurdle at Clonmel.

Though we registered a double yesterday it was a somewhat disappoint day with our two top bets For Non Stop (10/3-11/4) finishing a close third in a maiden hurdle at Fontwell while our nap showed less than a willing attitude at Catterick. Nevertheless Some Slam (4-5/2) did land a ‘touch’ in the opener at Naas and our saver Star Beat (4/1) did take a handicap chase at Catterick. We had to endure the misery of getting nailed close home when one of our supplemental fancies in the Catterick hunter chase Racing Ace (11-10/1) was undone by a fast finishing rival. We did maintain our recent fine lay record when we got There’s No Panic (13/8 and 6th placed) turned over at Fontwell.

Dromahane point winner Ag Dul Suas (On The Way Up for English speakers) showed promise when staying on to take a fair third to the experienced Prairie Call in a Thurles 2m maiden hurdle almost two months ago on her third start over hurdles and the Terence O’Brien trained mare should be forgiven a below par effort at Limerick last time. With her stable in form the Niall Madden ridden daughter of Bob Back looks the answer to the 2m 1/2f maiden hurdle at 2-35 at Clonmel today. In a race lacking much strength in depth the 6yo may prove too strong for the Tim Cleary trained Ballylahy and the consistent if exposed Topper Harley whilst the Tony Martin trained Tijuana Dancer under Ruby Walsh is likely to head the market.

The J P Dempsey trained Shorecliffe King who got our vote on his seasonal debut over three weeks ago when ‘nailed’ in the latter stages by the plunge horse Cayo Levantado at Punchestown is again given the nod to make amends in the 2m 4f hc hurdle at Clonmel at 3-40. Winner of a Sligo maiden on his third start the lightly raced eight year old started a well backed favourite to land the corresponding race last year but had to settle for third place. Off a mark 5lbs higher than last year the son of Supreme Leader should be suited by drying ground (scored point victory on good) and the Niall Madden ridden gelding can land the spoils here at the expense of Dizzy Rascal who has plenty to find with the selection on running at Punchestown but the Michael Hourigan trained mare put up an improved performance when losing out to the well supported Hold Em Cowboy last time but the 6yo is now 6lbs higher in the ratings. Others who enter the equation are the consistent hurdler/chaser Nipper John who finds it hard to win but will be suited by ground and looks well treated at the weights whilst 2m course winner Jacks Island has failed to land favouritism on his last couple of starts over the course (2m) on heavy.

The Jim Goldie yard are in form at present and the yard can be on the mark in the 2m handicap chase at Carlisle at 4-50 today with the 8yo Bene Lad. Though he would be suited by further and his first couple of chase efforts saw the son of Beneficial fail to complete there were more encouraging signs that he was near to ‘breaking his duck’ over fences last time at Kelso over 3m 1f where lack of stamina may have been the major factor that saw him fade in the closing stages when finishing fourth in a handicap. Running off a similar mark here the Richie McGrath ridden gelding should make a bold bid from the front at the expense of the lightly raced Ayr handicap chase winner Storm Surge.

Charlie Manns Alphabetical can make his second start in the hunter chase ranks a winning one by landing the closing 5-10 two mile and five event under 7lb claimer Jake Greenall following his first start for over 15 months six days ago. The former Irish point winner shaped well till tiring in the closing stages to finish a fair fourth behind Cheltenham bound Gentle George over 2m 7f and provided the 11 does not ‘bounce’ he should be suited by better ground here on a track where he scored one of his five chase victories in 2006 over CD on good ground. The 127 rated chaser could have most to fear from the year old I Hear Thunder who is rated on a par to the selection but the Robert Buckler trained veteran and course winner over three and a half miles. However he could be suited by further and is making his seasonal bow. Others to consider are three time chase winner Youlbesolucky and last years winner Who Else Knew but this looks a stronger event than last years renewal.

4-10 CLONMEL – 2m 1f mares novice chase

COSCORRIG should prove the likely and obvious solution here having run well when placed in better company over the major obstacles to date and Andrew Lynchs daughter of Pistolet Bleu should get an overdue turn here but there could be value in backing the 3 time point winner Media Queen despite the fact that her previous efforts over fences have been less than inspiring. However better ground will be to the advantage of the 9yo whilst Kind Oscar who did not jump well last time must rate a danger to the selection with better ground/shorter trip likely to suit the former point winner.

5-15 CLONMEL – 2m 4f novice chase

Though populist opinion is that this looks a match between the useful hurdlers Kazal and Psycho both could be opposable on fitness and jumping inexperience grounds at relatively advanced stages of their careers and the tentative vote goes to Jim Cullotys NOBLE CONCORDE while the De Bromhead ex pointer Lord Ben may prove the value place alternative.

ADVICE
BET 4pt win AG DUL SUAS 2-35 Clonmel
BET 1pt win (savers) BALLYLAHY and TOPPER HARLEY 2-35 Clonmel
BET 4pt win SHORECLIFFE KING 3-40 Clonmel
BET 1pt win (savers) JACKS ISLAND and DIZZY RASCAL 3-40 Clonmel
BET 5pt win COSCORRIG 4-10 Clonmel
BET 1pt win/1pt place (saver) MEDIA QUEEN
BET 4pt win BENE LAD 4-50 Carlisle
BET 2pt win (saver) STORM SURGE 4-50 Carlisle
BET 4pt win (nap) ALPHABETICAL 5-10 Wincanton
BET 2pt win (saver) I HEAR THUNDER 5-10 Wincanton