BOY EACH-WAY BEST IN ULSTER NATIONAL: Shamrock has the Ulster National – depleted because of firm ground – down to two horses, the favourite and Paul Townend’s ‘Boy’ at 9.2 on Betdaq this morning. That makes him the win-and-place bet of the race.
Luck can turn for Dirar. Cheltenham failure, Duke Of Lucca, returned to form yesterday, and Dirar – unlucky in the County Hurdle – can do the same today at Downpatrick (2.50).
But for the nap I’m taking Kildare-owner Con Harrington’s English-trained Sonoran Sands under Tony McCoy (2.25), his only ride at Wincanton.
3.50 Downpatrick (Ulster Grand National) Firm ground has removed all the old favourites, like last year’s winner, Hughies Grey, and Irish owned, English trained Posh Bird.
On today’s surface, horses of a double-figure age are unlikely to have the pace; in fact, there’s been only one winner over nine and 3-10 over eight in the last decade. None carried more than 11st 6lb.
The only notable good-ground chase form under Rules which we have in the last two seasons is Askmeroe (2nd 3m 1f Fairyhouse), Blaze Trailer (won 2m 4f, Kilbeggan), Carsonstown Boy (3rd 2m 4f, Down Royal), Bally Wall (2nd 3m 7f Highland National, Perth) and Talab (3rd 2m 5f, Leopardstown).
The lightweight Talab is blinkered for the first time today and that last run at Leopardstown holds out hope at last off 95 over fences for one rated 111 as a hurdler, receiving 24lb from second-favourite, Askmeroe (Ruby Walsh).
A bigger danger may be Bally Wall, beaten only a neck in this race in 2010 (Selection Box third) and fourth to Hughies Grey and Posh Bird last year (Selection Box third again).
With three runners, Selection Box’s yard may be best served this time by 9.4 offer Carsonstown Boy (Paul Townend), a 130-rated hurdler, with two wins on a sound surface. His chase weighting is low, since he’s been running in Points and hunter-chases.
SHAMROCK’S BETS
NAP: Sonoran Sands (2.25 Wincanton)
NEXT BEST: Dirar (2.50 Downpatrick)
EACH WAY: Carsonstown Boy (3.50 Downpatrick)
DAQ TRIO: Sonoran Sands (2.25 Wincanton), Dirar (2.50 Downpatrick), Talab (3.50 Downpatrick)
Did you know that as well as checking the realtime prices on BETDAQ below – you can also log into your account and place your bets directly into BETDAQ from BETDAQ TIPS.
