SHAMROCK’S EIGHT ACEY-DEUCEY NAPS: If they don’t win, they’re second. For the eighth day running, Shamrock’s nap finished in the one-two yesterday, after four winning days in a row. His eight-day sequence is 21211112.
It’s an eight-way photo. After they’ve all raced together, or have collateral form, the handicapper seems to have forced a desperately close finish to the Dundalk handicap at 8.20.
There are only 3.2 points separating eight runners in the Betdaq market, as I write, with Master Melody the key figure.
Master Melody is poised for a hat-trick, having beaten Flavia Tatiana, Elizabeth Coffee and Reggae Rock but can he improve again, penalized 10lb and facing the same animals?
The answer may be to side with the inspired star of 2011, Joseph O’Brien, who has had the luck of the draw already here, with Flavia Tatiana, who beat Elizabeth Coffee in October, in the plum stall, one.
Flavia was beaten just threeparts of a length by Master Melody a month back, but is officially 7lb better off.
Some Dundalk runners went for a walk this morning. In particular they didn’t want to know Trotting Weasel (6.20), forecast 4-1, out to 8.6, and Chevanah (7.20), forecast 9-2 and also trading 8.6.
What to they have in common? Both have double-figure draws. But stall seven hasn’t stopped a run on Bank On Black (6.20), first ride of the evening for Joseph O’Brien.
Bank On Black has been dodging between 5f and 7f, not beaten far in either, and observers have thought the obvious answer to the mare is today’s 6f.
With Chevanah weak in the market, Merkel (7.20) now has a favourite’s chance for Johnny Murtagh but I wouldn’t pile on too big: there are five more in the race which are first time in a handicap.
SHAMROCK’S BETS
NAP: Bank On Black (6.20 Dundalk)
NEXT BEST: Merkel (7.20 Dundalk)
DAQ TRIO: Bank On Black (6.20 Dundalk), Merkel (7.20 Dundalk), Flavia Tatiano (8.20 Dundalk)
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