13:00 4yo Maiden
What’s likely to prove an informative 4yo Maiden kicks off the card at Tinahely this Sunday with a number of promising types from last year set to clash with some unraced horses. As mentioned in the Taylorstown preview the Colin McKeever trained Ballycotin is engaged here as well as at that one. Also engaged on Saturday is the Willie Codd trained Dawn Commander who sets the standard on the ratings following a quarter length defeat to Get More at Sligo in May, that was his first completion from three starts having fallen when travelling well at Toomebridge on his previous start which had followed a pulled up effort in a Kirkistown Maiden. Run For Firth showed a high standard of form last season when placed behind Western King and Make Your Mark at Dromahane and Lisronagh respectively, he was sent off a well supported favourite in the Dromahane event so connections were possibly slightly disappointed that he couldn’t land the odds, he’s trained by Kieran Purcell who could also be represented by the Oscar gelding Paddocks Lounge who was fourth of seven finishers on his only outing thus far at Lisronagh back in March. The Roisin Hickey trained Following Dreams had three starts last season, all within a six week period in March and April. The best of those was probably the first of them when he was a good third to Rye Martini at Lismore, he was slightly disappointing on his third and final start of the year in that he was beaten twenty five lengths by Make Your Mark, he’s more than good enough to pick up an Autumn Maiden and that day may well come here, he’s raced predominantly on a sound surface although the debut effort was on yielding to soft. Minella For Ball brings form from the opening meeting of the season at Rathcannon into this race, he chased home Clear Hills on that occasion and the way he stayed on suggests that this stiffer test of stamina will be right up his street. Village Vic was booked for at least a place last season when falling at the last on his only start behind Buachaill Alainn at Monksgrange in April, Eoin Doyle’s charge wasn’t seen out after that however he showed enough to suggest that he’ll make a formidable opponent in these sort of races.
Selection: Dawn Commander
Alternative: Minella For Ball
13:30 5yo Geldings Maiden
Devil May Care looks likely to start a short priced favourite for this on the back of two runs last season, the first being easily the best of those in as much as he chased home the potentially top class Handy Andy (since a rules winner for Colin Tizzard) in a 5yo Maiden at Nenagh, he went on to disappointed as a joint-favourite at Rathcannon at the end of February, he was only fifth on that occasion behind Rev It Up and this Gigginstown House Stud owned Paul Nolan trained gelding will surely be heading to the track in time. According To Trev has improved with every run and he’ll have race fitness on his side having chased home the front-running De Faoithesdream at Rathcannon two weeks ago, he’d previously finished sixth in the top class Maiden won by Keppols Hill at Athlacca in May and he may attempt to break his duck for Denis Murphy here. Swanfold showed up well on his Monksgrange debut in April having always been up with the pace he stayed on well enough but had no chance with eventual winner Finnegan Paddy, he’s sure to come on for that experience and his second start when third to Bach Protector which both suggest he’ll be capable of breaking his Maiden this season. Ballybogey could represent the Wilson Dennison/Colin McKeever team and this half brother to rules winner Tarrawarra (also placed in Points) is by Definite Article, he’d be the most interesting of the unraced horses and he’ll be hoping to have more luck on his debut run than fellow entrant Crowded Room did at Castletown last week when running out shortly after the start in the 5&6yo Geldings Maiden won by Curraghmore.
Selection: Devil May Care
Alternative: According To Trev
14:00 Open 4yo+ (Mdns Excl)
Backstage is again entered at both fixtures this weekend and he heads the entries for this Open for Gordon Elliott, unlike at Taylorstown he’s his trainers only entry in this and comes here having won his past two Points at The Pigeons and Kirkistown as prep’s for an assault on the Aintree Grand National. He finished tenth there last season and hasn’t been seen since pulling up in the Fairyhouse equivalent, no doubt his debut run this season will again be a prep for Aintree. Bringbackthebert caused something on a surprise by stepping up into an Open straight from a 6yo Maiden last season when taking home Athlacca’s banks race at the May fixture in a tight finish with Ballinahow Boy, he finished second in a Maiden here as recently as February which shows how far he’s come in such a short space of time, it will be interesting to see how well he does in his first Open over regulation fences. Ballyverane Oscar was beaten twenty eight lengths by Backstage in a Kirkistown Open last season and has been seen just twice since, firstly when pulling up in a Durrow Open at the end of February and latterly coming back off a break in May when falling mid-race in a three winner race at Necarne. At fourteen Bad Dog John will be the oldest horse in the field should he line up and James Casserly’s charge was making his return from an absence in excess of two years when pulling up in an Open at Kinsale back in June. Bad Dog John took out the Older Maiden at this fixture in 2005 when partnered by Jason Maguire so he certainly knows his way around the course whilst this will be his fourth attempt at this race should he line up. O’Muircheartaigh was a useful hurdler and chaser on his day but isn’t getting any younger and may make his points debut at the age of eleven here. He raced twice under rules in the spring when well beaten in a chase at Roscommon and then when pulled up in a similar event at Limerick, his best recent effort came in September 2010 when beaten under twenty one lengths by The Burrow Vic at Sligo. Ma Chara had a poor season last season with the beacon of hope being a runner-up position in a Stradbally Open back in April, he's had one rules start during the Summer and hopefully that has helped boost his confidence. Wizards Dust was formerly trained in the UK with his most recent victory coming at Bangor back in April 2010, he’s been well beaten on most of his starts since but has form on soft ground so it’s possible that any ease in the ground will help bring out the best of him, he could make his first start for the Slevin yard here and the change of scene may benefit him. The final two horses entered are both coming off long lay-offs with Templers Hall being unraced since finishing sixth at Limerick in May 2009 in a Chase, his most recent victory was some 33 months ago in a Thurles Chase on soft ground so any rain will surely help his chances whilst Moscow Chieftain has had just the one start, that coming in a Ludlow bumper when beating the useful hurdler The Giant Bolster – he could make his first start for Jayne Mulqueen in this.
Selection: Backstage
Alternative: Bringbackthebert
14:30 Winner Of One 4yo+ (Mdns Excl)
Instant Dream could be seen in action for the second time this season as he attempts to seek compensation for his second to Isle Of Gold at Castletown last week, the race wasn’t run in a great time but this mare will likely come on for the run and she’s gone close in two winner races in the past when second in a Mares race at Milltown, she’s lightly raced in recent years and it will be good to see her on the track so soon after her recent return. Behind Instant Dream that day was Lord Lir who was pulled up four out when well beaten, this was a disappointing effort from him though it was his first venture into winners company and he can be expected to improve on that here. Mistletoe Cottage hasn’t been seen since falling in a Beginners Chase back in June 2010, prior to that he’d run an excellent second to Ard Na Rathnigh in a Winners of One race at Ballingarry on the final weekend of the season, it’s worrying that he’s not been seen out in over a year and he’s sure to come on for his return to action. Mr O’Shea is one of the least experienced horses in the field and he was having his first rules start when well beaten as joint-favourite at Down Royal back in August. Mr O’Shea had previously taken out a sixteen runner Maiden at Ballingarry back in June, he was given a very patient waiting ride by Jamie Codd that day and Kieran Purcell’s charge will surely be effective at this level in time. Crystal Fire has plenty of course form having broken her Maiden here back in January and then turning up a month later when beaten ten lengths by Teri D Trixter in a one winner race, she’s also finished fourth at the track and clearly enjoys her trips to Tinahely. Crystal Fire hasn’t been seen since pulling up at Borris House back in April but has proven form in winners grade and can go well in this. The Speedy Man made his seasonal return at Rathcannon on the opening day of the season and was beaten twenty lengths in the two winner race that day, he could make his second start here but is surely destined to contest Banks races later on in the season.
Selection: Mistletoe Cottage
Alternative: Crystal Fire
15:00 5yo+ Mares Maiden
Erins Lady sets the standard here on the back of her staying on third to Qoubilai at Rathcannon last month, the time wasn’t great but she was gaining on the winner and the second at the line and is sure to appreciate this greater test of stamina. Erins Lady had been racing under rules with limited success in the Summer, most notably when beaten seven lengths in a Wexford Hurdle at the start of July. She was consistent enough last season recording three placings in similar races and she encountered some decent mares in her defeats, she looks sure to score at some point this season and that could well be today. Gallant Express contested the Mares Maiden at that Rathcannon fixture though she was pulled up behind Count Your Change, there was market support behind her that day and hopefully something has come to light for the disappointing effort as she had two placings from her two starts last season – at Castletown in April and most recently at Dromahane in May. Solid Concrete made her debut here back at this fixture in 2010 in the 4yo Maiden when sixth to Lough Derg Way whilst she’s placed twice in Mares Maiden’s at the course since at the two meetings earlier this year behind Ma Nolan and Tango. She’s not been seen since finishing unplaced in a bumper at Wexford back in April and John Walsh will be looking for another good run at the Wexford venue from his mare. The Gordon Elliot trained Wee Doll has had just the one start so far and that came in a Downpatrick bumper when she was well beaten by Well Mett, she’s likely to improve for that run though may benefit from jumping experience in this. Doctor Dylan is an experienced mare having made seven starts in this sphere so far, she regularly finishes her races but does seem to be seen to best effect when racing at Lingstown and either way needs to step up on what we’ve seen so far to take this. Princess Roisibhin hasn’t been seen since placing behind the subsequent rules performer Mrs Peacock at Inchydoney in May 2010 but that marked a career best effort and there’s every chance she can be competitive in this race should she return in peak condition.
Selection: Erins Lady
Alternative: Gallant Express
15:30 6yo+ Geldings Maiden
Some Dude made his first points start in nearly two years at Rathcannon last month and it was a fine first effort back off a lay off when he chased home Qoubilai in a similar race to this. This was coming off the back of two pulled up efforts under rules in May and connections will surely be hoping for more of the same in this. Imperial Vic could represent leading trainer Colin Bowe in this and he was been a regular in similar races last season, most notably when racking up four consecutive places at Kilworth, Ballyragget, Lingstown and Limavady in March and April. He was last seen when finishing seventh of nine finishers in a 6yo+ Maiden at Toomebridge in May and is no doubt one of the lesser lights in his trainers stable but remains capable of winning an older Maiden at some point. Kansascity Shuffle contested the pointers bumper at Tipperary back in May, he was well beaten on that occasion but had previously chased home the subsequently rules placed Bawn Reagh at Oldcastle in April, that was his first start after a prolonged absence having been pulled up on his Stradbally debut back in April 2010. High Commissioner is another entered here to have contested a race at the Rathcannon fixture on the opening day of the season, he was pulled up behind the potentially useful De Faoithesdream and is sure to improve for the run having placed fourth on his previous two Maiden starts at Ballingarry (subsequently disqualified) and Stradbally. Narrandera contested the 5yo Geldings Maiden here three years and was fourth on that occasion, he’s had three disappointing starts since most recently at Limerick in May in a Beginners Chase and his trainer will surely be hoping to see more from him on his return to points. Denis O’Connor’s Wild Irish could make his fourth career start here with his best effort coming when a close fifth at Sligo back in May, his previous starts had resulted in a fall at Castletown and a debut fourth to Robbie Kaydee at The Pigeons in March.
Selection: Kansascity Shuffle
Alternative: Some Dude
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