IRISH EYE CHANTILLY WINNER BUT SHAMROCK CAN’T RESIST 40-1 SHOT: Our Irish ace tipster, Shamrock, is rooting for an Irish victory in the French Derby at Chantilly but finds a 41.0 Betdaq offer eye-catching.
TWO MEETINGS IN IRELAND: His next best is at Kilbeggan, one of two meetings in Ireland today. The other is at Listowel, where Ruby Walsh has a double chance.
I’m saying Yes to an Irish winner in the French Derby! But therein lies the eye-catcher of the day on Betdaq. I’ll be backing Roderic O’Connor but how on earth can the winner of the current best Chantilly trial – Absolutly Yes – be 41.0 this morning?
CHANTILLY: If Ballydoyle had made the draw themselves they couldn’t have wanted better than stall three for Roderic O’Connor, our Guineas winner.
This horse has done, yes, absolutely no wrong, except being unable to go the suicidal gallop in the Frankel Guineas at Newmarket when he, and much of the Aidan O’Brien infantry, hadn’t got their powder dry from a bad winter.
Of course, I shall hate the game if Casamento wins: it will be less than justice for Mick Halford, after his transfer to a Godolphin yard. Casamento beat Native Khan in the Racing Post Trophy by as far as Pour Moi did at Epdsm yesterday.
LISTOWEL: The French connection is Run For Sol (4.05), a winner in France but who quickly acclimatized with a good second at Killarney recently.
Cambridgeshire placed Pires, who took in the Swinton Hurdle, could be a big danger now that Tony Martin is in much better form.
Ruby Walsh can get among the prizemoney with Friendly Society (4.40) in his first handicap and Lime Tree Valley is better than any of these on the Flat and expected to do well on his hurdles debut.
KILBEGGAN Brave Beauty (3.20) is rated a long way ahead of these and Gordon Elliott and Paul Carberry also have an each-way chance with South Wing (3.50)
Claiming off Artiste Bay (5.30) may tip the balance over old rival Guts For Garters. ‘Garters’ came good by nine lengths over Not Before Eight last time but was 12 lengths adrift of Artiste Bay before that.
SHAMROCK’S BETS
NAP: Roderic O’Connor (2.08 Chantilly)
NEXT BEST: Artiste Bay (5.30 Kilbeggan)
OUTSIDERS: Casamento, Absolutly Yes (2.08 Chantilly)
DAQ YANKEE: Roderic O’Connor (2.08 Chantilly), Brave Beauty (3.20 Kilbeggan), Run For Sol (4.05 Listowel), Artise Bay (5.30 Kilbeggan)
