13:00 Dennison Commericals Ltd 4yo Maiden
Thirteen entries for this 4yo Maiden and they’re headed by last weeks Toomebridge third Ashtown for Colin McKeever, he stayed on to good effect back in third that day but never looked like challenging the winner Barlow, that was his racing debut and he was partnered by Chris Cully, given the circumstances of his run and the lack of time since I’d imagine that one of his two stablemates would be more likely to represent the yard on Saturday. Volio Vincente appeared to have some issues with jumping when making his debut in a similar race at Limavady back in May, he was never jumping well and eventually fell at the last before being remounted to finish last of eight finishers behind Balinroab whilst the third McKeever entrant is the unraced Ballycotin out of the Good Thyne mare Cherry Thyne. The Willie Codd trained Mamool gelding Dawn Commander showed great promise on his third and final start last season at Sligo, having failed to complete in two previous starts (PU at Kirkistown on debut and Fell at Toomebridge) he got to within half a length of breaking his Maiden behind the useful looking Get More, he looks a moral for Maiden success and a successful career under rules surely awaits this promising grey gelding. Waterunder was tipped up in our Toomebridge preview last weekend though he got no further than the first fence having been hampered, he had had just the run prior to that when finishing fifth to Rye Martini at Lismore back in March. Atlantic Ocean caught many shrewd judges eye when making a bold bid from the front on the opening day of the season at Rathcannon, he looked more than capable that day and is definitely one for the shortlist. Following Dreams, a Beneficial gelding trained by Roisin Hickey is one of the more experienced horses in the race having had three previous starts with his best effort arguably his debut when chasing home Rye Martini at Lismore, he was third that day and holds Waterunder on that form. Village Vic was getting the hang of things late on when falling at the last at Monksgrange on debut, he would have at least finished in the placings that day and is another for the shortlist.
Selection: Dawn Commander
Alternative: Atlantic Ocean
13:30 The Luke McKee Memorial Race 5&6yo Geldings Maiden
Bearly Legal stepped up on his previous efforts when runner-up to Warrants A Name on the final weekend of the season at Ballingarry, he’d had jumping issues prior to that and trainer Karl Thornton will surely be hoping that the Ballingarry effort will represent a change in fortunes for the son of Court Cave. Hey R Fella failed to complete on each of his first two starts last season, both in this region before going on to record his first completion when chasing home Miss Garbo in a Confined Hunt Winners race at Tyrella. Hidden Harmony ran twice during the Autumn season in 2010 before going on to place in a Hexham bumper in March. By far the most promising of those efforts was when narrowly beaten by Hang Up My Boots in the 4yo Maiden here in October. He disappointed subsequently at Loughanmore and it will be interesting to see how he gets on returning to points. Oakmoss was a well beaten third at Castletown last week on his first run in points after two unsuccessful forays over hurdles in the Summer. It would be wrong to rule him out however as that race was run in a good time and he was one of only three finishers, he should strip fitter for the run and the winner Oscar Fern looks a nice horse in the making.
Selection: Hidden Harmony
Alternative: Bearly Legal
14:00 R Heatrick Ltd 5&6yo Mares Maiden
A competitive looking Maiden on paper with a mixture of ex-track performers and regular pointers here. Commons Ruby showed promise last season when placed in similar races to this at both Kirkistown and Ballyragget whilst she was beaten far behind Minnie Maguire at Tyrella, she’s since gone on to compete under rules and was well beaten in a Clonmel Beginners Chase back in April. Jacks Friend contested the equivalent race to this at Castletown last Sunday and was beaten just sixteen lengths, that was her second start having been pulled up on her debut last season at Ballyragget and she should strip fitter for that seasonal return and I expect to see improvement should she take up this engagement. Wee Doll could represent the powerful rules stable of Gordon Elliott and she’s had just the one start to date – that coming on the track at Downpatrick when beaten 44 lengths by Well Mett in a Bumper back in August, that was on a fast surface and with conditions likely to be softer underfoot here it will be interesting to see how she gets on.
Selection: Commons Ruby
Alternative: Jacks Friend
14:30 Belfast Roofing Open 4yo+ (Mdns Excl)
A maximum field of nine could go to post for this feature race on the card and the Elliott yard are responsible for two of the nine, headed by Backstage who was last season when pulling up in the Irish Grand National back in April. He’d previously prepped for the English equivalent with two wins in similar races to this at Kirkistown and The Pigeons, he beat two useful types in the shape of Kanesh and Newbay Prop very easily in those and looks the one to beat. It would be wrong to underestimate his stablemate Nedzer’s Return who had a very good season between the flags in 2009/10 which culminated in two Hunter Chase successes, one at Fairyhouse and another at Downpatrick whilst he went on to enjoy success under rules before being brought down when travelling well in the Galway Plate. He missed most of last season and it will be good to see him back on the track. Call Box scored in a good time at Toomebridge last weekend from the very well backed Tammys Hill, he looks more than capable of making the step up to Open company and should the Elliott horses miss the race this looks a good opportunity to make that step. Lord Multifix had a prolific time of it last season when taking home the maximum number of victories for the Liam Lennon yard. He was well backed to make a winning return to action last weekend at Castletown but ultimately found the ex-track performer Battlefront too good, that was still a good return to action and he will likely hold a fitness advantage over his rivals.
Selection: Call Box
Alternative: Backstage
15:00 Connect Telecom Winner Of One 4yo+ (Mdns Excl)
Tammys Hill was heavily supported to score at Toomebridge last week and he found Call Box too good on the day, that was however a fine return to pointing having been racing under rules for a time before that and he looks more than capable of scoring in this grade this Autumn. Some Chief ran some fine races last Spring, most notably at Kinsale on the final weekend of the season when chasing home Up N Under in a two winner race, he’d previously chased home Desertmore Valley at Dromahane and the useful Lizzie Fennell at Ballindenisk and he’ll be looking to step up on those performances here. Security Man contested the winners race at Toomebridge last week and was pulled up behind Call Box, he will surely come on for the run on his first start since taking home an older Maiden at Farmaclaffley in February 2010. Quantico isn’t getting any younger and was remarkably consistent last year having broken his Maiden at Tallanstown in April he was running a stormer when falling behind Ballyboker Bay in a winners of one race at Ballingarry, he was well beaten on his return last week but should come on for the run. Onefortheroad Mac took out the Older Maiden at last weeks Toomebridge fixture and whilst the time wasn’t great he won well enough in the end, though he may required two or three runs to find his feet at this level.
Selection: Tammys Hill
Alternative: Quantico
15:30 Ag Con Products Ltd 7yo+ Maiden
Just the seven entries for the finale on the card and they’re headed by Eamonn O’Donovan’s Four Or More who was seen to best effect on fast ground last season, most notably when chasing home Coolmoyne Keaveney in a Confined Maiden at Stradbally back in May, he then went on to run Red Seven to under three lengths at Ballingarry on the final day of the season. Four Or More’s return was a disappointing one when seventh to Qoubilai at Rathcannon however he does have a fitness advantage over most of his rivals and any drying ground would surely help his chances. She’s Biting showed some promise last season in Mares Maiden’s – particularly when falling at the last behind Just Published at Lingstown in March, she’d previously finished runner-up to both Mag Walsh (again at Lingstown) and Tango Moll (Tinahely) and she looks capable of taking a weak Maiden. Fayebay showed up well enough last season to suggest she can be competitive in this, her best effort was surely when beaten a head by According To Mo at Largy in an older Mares Maiden and she should run well for trainer Holly McGahan.
Selection: Four Or More
Alternative: Fayebay
No comments:
Post a Comment