‘Viking’ can plunder the spoils for Byrnes
RUBY WALSH knows better than most not to take anything for granted in the racing game, but it seemed his luck was changing for the better when he made a winning return to race riding on board Lareena at Thurles on March 8.
That was Walsh’s first ride since being sidelined with a leg break in November, but if there is such a thing as luck, it comes both ways and, as we all know by now, a dose of bad fortune was just around the corner at the Cheltenham Festival.
Following a successful day one, Walsh came down off Al Boum Photo in the RSA Novice Chase on day two, breaking the leg again.
That put him on the injured list once more and, although it’s extremely frustrating, all National Hunt jockeys know it could be far worse.
Walsh has been typically realistic, accepting that it’s part and parcel of the game, and has said he’s more excited than nervous about his return today in the galmont.com & galwaybayhotel.com Novice Hurdle (5.20) on the incongruously-named Easy Game, which was trading around 11/8 in the early markets.
With a win-rate of one in four at the Galway Festival and a place strike-rate of 52pc, Walsh is usually a man to keep onside throughout the week, but I feel that the fuss about his return has contributed to the price being pushed a little too short in the markets today.
PROMISING
Another French import for Willie Mullins, the gelding won a maiden hurdle at Killarney two weeks ago at odds of 4/5 and looks promising. But at the prices, preference is for what I’m hoping is the aptly named Lucky Icon, for Thomas Mullins with Danny Mullins on board.
He’s been disappointing on the Flat in his last couple of races, but he caused a 50/1 upset in May in his only start over hurdles when beating the Willie Mullins favourite Eoline Jolie. On that evidence, he’s entitled to improve and odds of 12/1 seem quite generous.
The Easyfix Handicap Hurdle (5.55) has a number of notable entries and quite a few have reasonable claims, but I’m very keen on Charles Byrnes’ Viking Hoard, albeit at a relatively short price of 4/1 for a 20-runner race.
His jockey Kevin Brouder, who has had a few wins lately, claims 7lbs and was on board when the selection took a handicap hurdle last time out at Killarney.
A bug has been doing the rounds in Aidan O’Brien’s yard so I’m cautious about backing his runners at the moment, but I’ll give a tentative vote to Mount Tabora, which should go off around 2/1 for the claregalwayhotel. ie (C&G) Irish EBF Maiden (6.25).
Closely related to a number of winners, the son of Scat Daddy is still a little green but has improved with each of his runs, most lately finishing a neck-second to Jim Bolger’s Guaranteed in a decent maiden at the Curragh.
The Claytonhotelgalway.ie Handicap (7.05) is quite a puzzle but there’s a bit of each-way value about and I’m taking a chance on Premier League, which trades at 20/1 in the early markets.
Trained by Michael Mulvany, he’s a consistent sort that’s usually thereabouts, and a rating of 72 seems reasonably fair considering he’s been placed this summer off a couple of pounds higher.
Tony Martin’s Upgraded is an interesting entry around 33/1 in the Connacht Hotel (QR) Handicap (7.40) with Paul Townend’s sister Jody among a number of jockeys still claiming 7lbs.
She’s good value for that claim and has now won a number of races under rules, and while the selection has been a let-down over hurdles lately, her Flat mark has dropped 8lbs in her last two races, leaving her in with an each-way shout if she gets a bit of luck in-running.
This is her first Flat run for Martin, having previously raced for John Oxx.
All that said, Willie Mullins’ likely favourite Limini could be hard to beat around 7/2, provided she’s fit and well.
The 2016 Dawn Run Mares’ Novices Hurdle winner is back on the Flat after four years, and was last seen when third to Apple’s Jade in the 2017 Mares’ Hurdle at Cheltenham.
Another one which can be backed each-way is the Luke Comer-trained Clueless Hill, which was chalked up at 25/1 early doors yesterday for the Eventus Handicap (8.10).
Fair enough, his latest form is nothing to write home about, and he was out of his depth when sixth of seven runners in a Listed race at the Curragh back in June, but he ran quite well off 1lb higher than today’s 66 when third in a competitive handicap at Leopardstown in April.
Dermot Weld’s Imrana will probably go off as favourite here under Declan McDonogh.
She won a Limerick Maiden back in June, although her opening handicap mark of 86 might be a little high.
There’s a number of unraced entries in the bumper (8.40) and I’ll be interested to see how Weld’s Neptune performs, a Galileo colt which is a full brother to 2006 Irish
1,000 Guineas winner Nightime.
Of those with a bit of form, I’m keen on Batcio, a point-to-point winner which is improving in bumpers, finishing second to Advantage Point at Punchestown recently, ahead of odds-on favourite Argent Et Or.