DAFFERN DIDN’T! PARDON MY FRENCH: After doubles up at 23-1 and 50-1, Shamrock looked set for another when French Quebec (WON 7-2) started his evening at Killarney but his race-winning sequence ended at 1211121. The defeat of Daffern Seal was the biggest disappointment.
QUALITY KILLARNEY: The Killarney Festival continues with quality as high as a graded handicap chase, challenged for the punters’ interest by a handicap hurdle containing eight recent winners.
4.45 Killarney: This is Noel Meade’s race – he’s two out of two – and Bleuker is the only horse in the field with experience over hurdles. He’ll have to improve a bit on his Flat form though; and on his jumping, too.
Chart Master, The Quiet Hawk and Dontmesswitdezohan (give the commentator a chance!) are all well bred and could be anything, while El Gran Torino – you must see that film – has been knocking at the door on the Flat.
5.15 Killarney: Meade again, with London Bridge, and of course the Mullins-Townend combo will win support for Rattan but I was impressed with Bullock Harbour on his return to action a week ago. It’s a tricky one, since the younger horses have the potential improvement to catch him.. one day.
5.50 Killarney: Eight recent winners make this a hot contest but I shall rely on CD scorers, Sebadee (9.4 on Betdaq this morning) and Alderwood (14.0), both of whom failed at a higher level at the Galway Festival. They are back in their comfort zone now.
Sebadee, Baracas, Sparking Tara and The Lady Granuaile could all bounce back from Galway. Sebadee did!
He’s won well at Tramore since (though over fences), so must be a danger to all, still 9lb lower than his chase rating.
6.20 Killarney: Percentage wise, Tony Martin is both the leading Killarney trainer (26%) and the current ‘hot trainer’ to follow, with a 33% strike rate.
Martin’s Uncle Taffy shot up the hurdles ratings by 32lb with three straight wins and, handicapped to the hilt now, switches to chasing.
De Valira, once 35lb higher over hurdles than Uncle Taffy, has also been keeping top company over fences and, with Paul Townend taking the ride, may have too much class and experience for ‘Taffy.
7.25 Killarney (Graded handicap chase): This looks absolutely wide open (6.4 the field as I write, with seven horses in single figures).
I’m siding with young blood again: the older Norther Bay and Back of The Pack have the experience but, for instance, Royal Choice could have improved since May on the length or so she is still strictly held by Back of The Pack.
Save My Blushes performed at Graded level over fences as a novice and is reunited with Davy Condon at a massive 29.0 on the Daq after attempting the impossible over hurdles at the Punchestown and Galway Festivals. A real dark horse here.
SHAMROCKS BETS
NAP: De Valira (6.20 Killarney)
NEXT BEST: Bullock Harbour (5.15 Killarney)
DAQ BIG-ODDS DOUBLES: each way on each, plus four win doubles (2 x 2) Sebadee and Alderwood (5.50 Killarney) with Royal Choice and Save My Blushes (7.25 Killarney)
