ONE-TWO SO NOW FOR A GALMOY NAP AND 18.0 THYESTES BET: Daqman yesterday named the one-two in the Grade-2 big race at Thurles – Allaho (WON 10-11) and Elimay (2nd 100-30) – and they finished 79 lengths clear of the remainder. Now he picks his order-in for the Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park this afternoon (first choice 18.0). But before that his nap of the day runs in the Galmoy.
IT’S DAQMAN 20 PRICEWISE 12 ON BIG-RACE SCENE AT GOWRAN: Daqman clashes with Pricewise selections in both big races at Gowran Park, with the scores 20-12. The Fakenham meeting survives today, the first English jumps meeting since Plumpton on Monday, and provides a bet to cover the big-race investments. Wetherby this afternoon has been abandoned. Headlines:
🔹 SHE’S A KILLER SHARK IN THE GALMOY
🔹 SECOND’S OUT TO LAND THE THYESTES
🔹 MIDNIGHT CHIMES WITH KING RECORD
SHE’S A KILLER SHARK IN THE GALMOY
⭕ 2.20 Gowran Park (Galmoy Hurdle) I put Willie Mullins’ Great White Shark up for this on Monday and followed up with a Fortune Cookie inclusion yesterday.
Since Monday, the strongest of the opposition has declined to take on the four Mullins runners, of which Paul Townend has chosen the lady Shark.
The grey daughter of French Derby winner Le Havre, she has won two big-field races: the Guinness Hurdle at the Galway Festival and the Cesarewitch at Newmarket.
Her huge 29.0 offers for the Mares Hurdle at Cheltenham taken (see this column) on Monday were down to 17.0 in the BETDAQ Sportsbook last night (only 12-1 with another exchange), further indication for me that today will reveal a killer Shark.
I could get 3.6 on the BETDAQ BETTING EXCHANGE this morning about winning the Galmoy today.
Second favourite Sixshooter is Grade-2 placed (third in the Lismullen Hurdle at Navan in November) and unexposed.
But so far his winning form over hurdles is on yielding at worst; his returns on soft-heavy since his debut are 3423.
Sixshooter’s Noel Meade stablemate, Diol Ker, beat Monkfish in his maiden in 2019, but was unsighted behind that one over fences in November and resorted to hurdles at Limerick on Boxing Day.
As had happened with his chasing career, he didn’t jump that well, and the extra distance today (slower jumping and his stamina brought into play) might help. So, too, might cheekpieces.
SECOND’S OUT TO LAND THE THYESTES
⭕ 3.25 Gowran Park (Thyestes Chase) The Thyestes has had times of glory, notably when Arkle (1964) and Flyingbolt (1966) won it in the golden age of chasers.
But the race was good to me when Hedgehunter (2004) caught my attention and landed me the Grand National in the Spring of O-five. I should have followed up next time when Numbersixvalverde (2005) presaged another National for the Thyestes, also one year on.
In today’s field Spyglass Hill, Coko Beach, Acapella Bourgeois, Run Wild Fred and The Big Dog all have Cheltenham engagements.
Class Conti, Roaring Bull and Alpha Des Obeaux are all being quoted in ante-post books for the Grand National.
1 Any Second Now The gamble when Thyestes books opened (16-1 to 15-2 Ladbrokes). But big value 18.0 in the BETDAQ orange as I write.
Kim Muir hero of 2019 and third in the Leopardstown Chase in February before winning a Grade 3 at Naas (heavy) three weeks later. Kept to hurdles in the autumn, with this as his target.
2 Acapella Bourgeois Third in the 2019 Irish Grand National. Made mistakes in this last year, after second to Al Boum Photo in the Savills Chase.
But won the Bobbyjo on heavy at Fairyhouse, and second again in the Savills (same one-two; just wider apart!). Paul Townend’s pick to give Willie Mullins a Thyestes hat-trick. I took 9.7.
3 Brahma Bull Won a Grade-3 chase and second in a Grade 2. Blundered out of it in the Savills but very lightly raced for his age (7-13). Form with Minella Indoe reads well and could be suited to this race.
4 Cabaret Queen Galway Plate third and Kerry National winner at Listowel in September. Consistent but high in the handicap now. Place chance again.
5 Spyglass Hill Has run one of his best races here, winning a beginners’ chase on heavy in February of last year. But pulled up twice at today’s Grade-A level in Galway Plate and Kerry National (excuses made for both). Decent second here at Gowran in November but form of the winner – beaten total of 99 lengths in higher grades the last twice – isn’t encouraging.
6 Run Wild Fred Improved on modest efforts over fences when runner-up at Punchestown in first-time blinkers. Still 8lb short of hurdles rating (won a Grade-3 novice) and potential improver at age seven.
7 Tout Est Permis Noel Meade is in good form (2-3) and this one has been thereabouts in a string of Graded races. Not out of it.
Class Conti SP of his last four races, including runner-up in this last year, suggest zero confidence (50-1 twice, 40-1 and 33-1) but see what the market says this time.
Discordantly Beginners Chase winner at Gowran in March and followed up at Galway in October. Stepped up in trip and grade, weakening into fourth in the Troytown at Navan in November and similarly failed to last out in even stronger company over Christmas.
Coko Beach Second in the Fred Winter (2019) over hurdles. Blinkers tried now (0-4 over fences) to attempt to improve on bridesmaid chase form of 2423. Still only six.
Ten Ten Disappointed when well backed for the big chase here at the Christmas meeting but money for him again today
Dunvegan Also disappointing in that race was this Punchestown winner and, though he could be better going right-handed, there is no real encouragement for having a bet.
MIDNIGHT CHIMES WITH KING RECORD
⭕ 3.35 Fakenham After two handicap wins in open company, Midnight Glance (BETDAQ 5.1) had to give weight away in a novice event the last day.
Trainer Alan King and jockey Tom Cannon are 67% at Fakenham, and Midnight Glance is preferred to After The Fox now that their six-year-old is back in an open race.
Jane Williams does well with her own horses and makes the trip from Devon for this. As far as I can tell, After The Fox is her first runner on the Norfolk course.
We wish her well and claimer Chester Williams takes off a valuable 5lb, with the Fox hiked 15lb for his Warwick win on the last day of 2020.
There is no indication they can put back-to-back wins together but I shall give them a second glance if they ease in response to money for Midnight.
DAQMAN’S BETS
2.20 Gowran Park (nap)
FORTUNE COOKIE
BET 10pts win GREAT WHITE SHARK
3.25 Gowran Park (win-50 bull’s-eye bets)
BET 5.75pts win ACAPELLA BOURGEOIS
BET 3pts win ANY SECOND NOW
3.35 Fakenham (win 20)
BET 5pts win MIDNIGHT GLANCE
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