SHAMROCK WAS SPOT ON ABOUT 5-2 WINNER: Gala Dancer (WON 5-2) was the jumper to take out of a fascinating novice chase yesterday, said Shamrock in his column before the event. Now he fancies another novice at Roscommon this afternoon.
I won’t swap Shop. I followed this hurdler’s career up to Grade-3 success at Punchestown in May. Now I’m expecting to see him rise to the bigger obstacles at Roscommon today.
Shop DJ (5.05) has some formidable opposition: the solid novice St Devote, another Punchestown winner Dr Whizz and De Valira, who gained even higher rank over hurdles (Grade 2 successes at Fairyhouse and Leopardstown).
Peter Fahey has a small yard in Co Kildare and only applied for a full trainer’s licence this year, so Shop DJ could make or break his season.
Jarlath Fahey, another of the Fahey clan from Cloneygath – there’s also Seamus and P.G. – ‘expected’ Balladiene at Gowran Park on Saturday but the mare was badly drawn. Today she has a grand, low stall (3.35).
House Rules (6.05) seems to be pivotal to any mixed doubles and trebles and I can see Got Attitude leading the way in the handicap chase for Jessica Harrington stablemate Paradis De Thaix (5.35) to come and take them in the straight.
SHAMROCK’S BETS
NAP: Shop DJ (5.05 Roscommon)
NEXT BEST: Paradis De Thaix (5.35 Roscommon)
OUTSIDER: Balladiene (3.35 Roscommon)
DAQ TRIO: Shop DJ (5.05 Roscommon), Paradis De Thaix (5.35 Roscommon) and House Rules (6.05 Roscommon)
