3-1 MIST MAKES IT 14 NAPS UP: Daqman, who has landed four naps each week in the first three weeks of the season, already has two in week four. Tara Mist (WON 3-1) gave him nap number 14 this year for a 20-point level-stakes profit of 246 points.
THE THYESTES HEAD-TO-HEAD: Meanwhile there’s been very little movement in the Daqman v Pricewise challenge. The scores remain Daqman 10, Pricewise 4 (Daqman 35 points clear). But it could all change today as they tip two each in the Thyestes Chase at Gowran Park.
VOTE WITH A CROSS AT 8.0
1.20 Gowran Park (Ladbrokes Handicap Hurdle) This is the hors d’oeuvres of a betting feast at Gowran today, with the Galmoy Hurdle and the Thyestes Chase the main course and the dessert.
This Ladbrokes handicap looks a trappy contest. But 13 of the runners are maidens; four are four-year-olds with limited experience; and six are aged 9, 10, 12 and 13 and so are suspect for speed for this two-miler unless it gets heavy.
An 8.0 offer on BETDAQ, Ardera Cross, who beat Adreamsalive in a big field at Tramore in December, has Donagh Meyler’s 3lb claim to help him stay in front of that one, and is weighted to turn the tables on Peculiar Genius on their New Year’s Day one-two, also at Tramore.
Tethra is up only 4lb for winning a 22-runner hurdle at Punchestown on the last day of the year but poached a lead which was hard to peg back in the conditions.
WARRIOR OFF WINNING MARK
1.50 Gowran Park (Galmoy Hurdle) Dedigout won this as the first leg of a Grade-2 hat-trick for Tony Martin, completed at Fairyhouse in the Spring.
He’s done nothing much of note since switching to Gordon Elliott, but aiming at this race was the obvious thing to do.
As expected he was run off his feet by Apple’s Jade and Vroum Vroum Mag in the Hattons Grace and needs to show more of his old self if he is to be competitive today at 11 years of age, with every one of the six starters Grade 1 entered.
The Hattons Grace run puts him well behind Clondaw Warrior and Snow Falcon, the pair chasing home Vroum Vroum Mag at Leopardstown over Christmas, led on by Shaneshill.
Snow Falcon is three years younger than Clondaw Warrior and has closed the gap in the ratings to 159-157 but the Warrior gets 5lb here under the race conditions.
KATE LOOKS A BONNY THYESTES BET
3.00 Gowran Park (Thyestes Chase) Seven out of 10 winners carried 10st 10lb or less. To win with more, you have to be Gold Cup standard (Djakadam and On His Own both went on to run second in the big one at Cheltenham), and I can’t see anything of that level here.
My Murphy, Thyestes winner and second (to Djakadam) in the last two years, is up in the weights now and aged 11, but has clearly been aimed at this race again.
If you’re looking for a touch of class, it would have to be Measureofmydreams, third to Minella Rocco and Hennessy winner Native River in the NH Chase at Cheltenham in March when with Willie Mullins, after beating the big Christmas chase winner, Noble Endeavour, at Navan, with Pleasant Company trailing them 18 lengths.
Rogue Trader, was fifth in that big chase over Christmas, well backed in to 6-1, the same price as Noble Endeavour.
Prince Of Scars chase form is nearly 20lb below his Graded-hurdles ability and, of the youngsters, I prefer Bonny Kate, who completed a hat-trick in the Spring and was in front of Noble Endeavour when third in the Ladbrokes Troytown Chase in November.
Further showers on the course could boost Bonny Kate (11.0 on BETDAQ this morning. Her stablemate Measureofmydreams hasn’t raced this year. Goes well fresh but first run back and for a new trainer.
So I take Gordon Elliott’s Grand National hope, Ucello Conti (9.8 offers), who has been dropped back to the same mark as when third in this race last year.
DAQMAN’S BETS (staked to win 20 points, except the banker)
BACK 3pts win and place ARDERA CROSS (1.20 Gowran Park)
BANKER: 20pts win (nap) CLONDAW WARRIOR (1.50 Gowran Park)
BACK 2pts win and place on each UCELLO CONTI and BONNY KATE (3.00 Gowran Park)
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