MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU: Shamrock finds a magnetic bet at Kilbeggan and can’t understand why Gordon Elliott’s hot pair were not in the first two of seven in the Betdaq market for the Westmeath Hurdle this morning.
I thought it was gifted to Gordon Elliott. Then I saw that neither of his pair in a seven-horse race for the Westmeath Hurdle (5.35 Kilbeggan) was favourite. Or second favourite.
My view was that the favourite, London Bridge, has been disappointing and the second favourite, Wins Now, back to hurdles from chasing has modest form over the minor obstacles, with his hurdles successes more than four years back.
So I’m sticking to my guns, or rather Elliott’s weapons: Brave Beauty (at 4.0), returning to a trip after moderate effort over 2m, and that old stalwart – he’s still only six! – Trendelenburg (5.4).
As ever at Kilbeggan, it’s obligatory to turn straight to the end of the card and look for Colin Bowe’s bumper runner. He doesn’t let us down, with Point winner Call ‘Em Home (7.35) likely to be too good for them in a weak affair.
Robert Hennessy and Barry Geraghty are two out of two in handicap hurdles on the course and Magnetic Force (6.05) will put in a determined bid to carry top weight.
There are plenty of dangers down the card. Apart from the obvious ones, there’s Franziskaner, with all the aids on now for his first handicap, and Never A Secret, running into form after a lay-off and with Davy Condon taking over from a 7lb claimer.
SHAMROCK’S BETS
NAP: Call ‘Em Home (7.35 Kilbeggan)
DUTCH: Brave Beauty and Trendelenburg (5.35 Kilbeggan)
OUTSIDERS: Franziskaner and Never A Secret (6.05 Kilbeggan)
DAQ TRIO: Brave Beauty and Trendelenburg (4.00 Kilbeggan), Magnetic Force (6.05 Kilbeggan) and with Call ‘Em Home (7.35 Kilbeggan)
