NAPS HAT-TRICK: NOW FOR THE NATIONAL: Shamrock completed a hat-trick of naps with Flemenstar (WON 11-10) yesterday, following Slade Power (WON 6-4) and Prince Ludovic (WON 2-1).
….. now he turns to this afternoon’s Irish National.
BIG-RACE ABC: Here is Shamrock’s horse-by-horse guide to the big race at Fairyhouse.
It links each runner to the following key from stats of the last decade:
* A: Carried no more than 10st 8lb (9 out of 10) but largely confined to ratings range 130 to 136 (7 out of 10).
* B: Aged 7 to 9 years (8 out of 10)
* C: Chase winner already over 3m or more (7 out of 10)
* D: Had run in a Graded chase (7 out of 10)
* E: Prefers right-hand track.
ABCDE SOME TARGET Punchestown Grand National Trial winner early last year (3m 4f) and got going late, as he often does, when – giving weight when fourth to Groody Hill (1st) and Cross Appeal (3rd) in the Troytown in November.
Well handicapped now but fourth again in the Haydock Park Grand National Trial in February and, on today’s sounder surface, Ruby Walsh prefers Allee Garde. Winning form is all right-handed.
ABCDE THE LAST DERBY Third in the Cork National, then 6th in today’s version last year off 1lb lower and now worse off with the horse just behind him that day, Shakervilz. Not shown much lately but best form going this way round.
ABCD ALFIE SHERRIN One of 10 J P McManus entries. Won a Grade-3 chase (3m 1f) on good ground at the Cheltenham Festival under Richie McLernon, who keeps the ride (Tony McCoy is on Groody Hill).
ABCD START ME UP A Gigginstown Stud contender, won over 3m 1f over hurdles so should get the trip and on a featherweight but deserted by Ruby Walsh after his defeat by Lion Na Bearnai at Navan.
ABCE PADDY PUB Munster National third and Leinster National winner last time out, has jumped this course several times but was well behind Groody Hill, Cross Appeal and Some Target in the Troytown Chase at Navan in November. Best form this way round.
ABDE ARABELLA BOY Better off with Paddy Pub after their one-two in the Leinster National at Naas a month ago, and a developing stayer (thought to be a future cross-country type) after being out of his depth in the four-miler at Cheltenham last year when only six. All his best form is this way round (right-handed).
ABD DEAL DONE Fancied for this last year after his third (visored) in the Kim Muir at Cheltenham but ran too freely in first-time blinkers (led to second last). Cheekpieces are the only aids today and he wore them when he last won, though that was a long time ago.
ABD SHAKERVILZ Seventh last year under Ruby Walsh, who jumps ship and the gelding is claimed off now. Won the Flyingbolt as a novice but disappointing since.
ABD WHODOYOUTHINK Known mainly as a hurdler – won at Wexford last time – and best chase effort when second as a novice at Punchestown. Second again to smart Quel Esprit at Thurles.
ABE OUT NOW Excellent second to Liverpool Grand National gamble Seabass in Grade-A Leopardstown Chase but that was 2m 5f and ability to stay is in doubt. Trainer landed a double at the last big Irish meeting. Out Now prefers clockwise track.
AB NINETIETH MINUTE Bred to stay but only four chase runs, winning a beginners’ event on today’s course in February, jumping well and potentially 12lb better if equaling his hurdles mark (useful and placed 14 times in 20 starts).
AB PRINCE ERIK No worthwhile form since winning a year ago but no corresponding drop down the handicap.
ACD CROSS APPEAL Penalised 9lb for winning the Paddy Power Chase at Leopardstown over Christmas, with Groody Hill third but was getting revenge on that one for defeat in the Troytown. Has to improve again.
ACD LION NA BEARNAI Booked his place with shock 50-1 defeat of Four Commanders at Navan in February but last year’s Coyningham Cup winner at Punchestown (off 105) has been severely dealt with, hiked to 135.
ACD SADDLERS STORM Has not won a race for two years but has done well hunter-chasing after running Seabass close in a Point. Ran well in this two years ago.
AC GROODY HILL In fine form with an autumn hat-trick, including the Troytown. Up a total of 31lb but handled his lofty position in the handicap well enough when third to Cross Appeal in the Paddy Power Chase. Needs the forecast rain.
ADE FOUR COMMANDERS A brother to Gold Cup winner Kicking King, placed in the Florida Pearl and the Ten Up novice chases, then impressively third in NH Chase at Cheltenham on better ground. Still only six, but so was last year’s winner, Organisedconfusion. Goes best right-handed.
AD LEANNE On a hat-trick today, after wins at Clonmel and Leopardstown which have cost her 13lb rise. Distant 7th in 2010.
AD WHATUTHINK Third in this race in 2010 but beaten 45 lengths last year and, after poor efforts in the Paddy Power and Troytown, has been hurdling.
BDE ALLEE GARDE Ruby Walsh’s pick but fell in NH Chase at Cheltenham after placing in quality novice chases, including the Fort Leney. Clearly better is expected and all his best form is right-handed.
BD AIGLE D’OR Has failed in three previous missions to Ireland, unplaced at the Punchestown Festival, then third in the Galway Plate but comes into this on close-up sixth in Paddy Power Chase, staying on and now better off with winner and third, Cross Appeal and Groody Hill.
BD GIFT OF DGAB His remote second to Flemenstar in our Arkle at Leopardstown doesn’t look so bad after that one skipped clear in the Powers Gold Cup yesterday.
BD GLAM GERRY Live lightweight after finishing fast, third in the Byrne Group Plate at the Cheltenham Festival on a sound surface. Had looked ordinary until then so handicapper hasn’t penalized him; in fact, he’s dropped him 1lb. Never won right-handed; trip unknown. But good money for him all the week.
BD LAST OF THE LEADERS Has been hurdling since an easy Grade-B win on today’s course cost him a 13lb handicap hike. A lot further to go now.
BD MAGNANIMITY Down 7lb this year as the 2011 RSA fourth continues to disappoint, failing to build on his novice campaign. But the trip should suit a grandson of Le Moss.
BD RAPTOR Lightly raced but should come into his own on fast ground over a trip. Not out of it under David Casey.
BD ROI DU MEE Bobbyjo Chase third here in February but has risen up the handicap without building on his successful novice career. Went well in the Leinster National as if today’s trip would suit.
D CATCH ME One-time Cheltenham Champion Hurdle sixth, Grade-3 chaser without winning and returned to hurdles for narrow defeat in the Pertemps Final at Cheltenham
D OSANA Arkle third at Cheltenham in 2010 and good second in the Dan Moore on today’s course a year ago before fourth in the Grade-A Guinness at Punchestown. A nearly horse.
D WESTERN CHARMER Such a promising hurdler but has won only once – a beginners’ chase – in three and a half years; second in this race last year but flopped recently in Paddy Power Chase and Thyestes.
SHAMROCK’S BETS
NAP: Alderwood (3.40 Fairyhouse)
IRISH GRAND NATIONAL: win Ninetieth Minute, and win and place on each Out Now and Some Target (4.50 Fairyhouse)
OUTSIDER: Gran Torino (3.10 Fairyhouse)
DAQ YANKEE: Oscars Well (2.40 Fairyhouse), The Blarney Rose (2.55 Cork), Alderwood (3.40 Fairyhouse), Undertheboardwalk (5.25 Fairyhouse)
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