GAVIN CROMWELL BLOG: Champion Hurdle Winning Trainer and BETDAQ Brand Ambassador Gavin Cromwell previews his runners at Leopardstown, Kilbeggan and Navan this weekend.
LEOPARDSTOWN FRIDAY
Archer’s Up is our first runner on Friday in the apprentice handicap (7.05pm). He was second over 1m5f at Leopardstown last year off a mark of 69, so he looks to be well-treated off just 62 here.
He likes the track and we’re hoping he shows up well, but it is his first run back and whatever he does here he should improve on.
There’s a big pot up for grabs in the Lady Riders Handicap (7.35pm) and it looks a fairly strong race. Based on the 8lb pull we’ve got with Arthurian Flame form the last day we’ve got a big chance with Ciao.
She’s in great form at home and this has been the target for some time. Megan Nicholls takes 5lbs off and we’re very hopefully of her running a big race.
We run two in the maiden (8.45pm).
For Ally Cay it’s a bit more about getting her some more experience and she’s probably just one for the handicaps.
As for Yarfordadoe, he surprised us a little with his first run at Gowran Park when finishing fifth in a strong-looking maiden.
Gary Carroll gets the pick of the rides and he obviously likes his chances so fingers crossed for a big run.
KILBEGGAN FRIDAY
Jeremy’s Delight is our first runner at Kilbeggan on Friday in the maiden hurdle (5.10pm).
She’s fairly moderate but this race is a maiden specifically for horses that are yet to place in the first three, so that at least gives her a chance.
She’s wrong at the weights with a couple as she’s only rated 84 and this is a bit of a last-chance saloon.
Hopefully she can run well so that we can keep going with here.
Callthebarman then goes for the two mile handicap hurdle (5.45pm). He ran well in the charity race at Punchestown and he’s won around Kilbeggan before. He’s in really good form at home and could run well.
The only thing is that he’d probably prefer a little bit further, but we’re still expecting a good run.
Megabucks makes his first start over fences for us and his third in total in the novices’ chase (7.20pm).
A couple of these are rated higher than us over hurdles, so we’ve got a bit to find, but we’re hoping for a bit of improvement with him wearing a tongue tie for the first time. If he finishes anywhere like third, fourth or fifth we’d be happy.
We think Blue Heather has a really good chance in the Pro/AM Flat race (8.25pm).
We maybe pitched her into the deep end a little bit at Fairyhouse in April but she’s run well since over hurdles at Tipperary.
She looks more than capable of going close in this level of race so we’re hoping for a big run. Conor [McNamara] takes the ride. He’s a very good 7lb claimer who comes and rides out here a few mornings a week.
He’s already had five winners and he rode for Willie Mullins at the Punchestown Festival.
SATURDAY AT NAVAN
It’s a fairly low-key Saturday for us with just a couple of runners at Navan.
Almost A Dream makes her third start in maiden company (1.25pm) and her first on the grass. To be honest it’s a deep enough race and she’s probably going to be more suited to handicaps.
Aeslegh Fawn then goes in the 1m5f handicap (4.40pm). This will be her first run back since August and she should improve on whatever she does here. The likelihood is that after this race we’ll think about going hurdling with her.
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