THE PENALTY HAS FIXED IT AT NAVAN! Shamrock shows unusual confidence in his nap after a lean spell this week. He also rates a 12.5 Betdaq offer as better value than the bare form.
My Irish soul is hurting but I’m still boxing along. If you think those are tips for Navan this afternoon, that’s as maybe. But, in fact, it’s yours truly bemoaning a couple of bad days.
So I’m not going for the big picture. And I’m not going to hide myself away in the back row with Popcorn (2.20), reliable fella though he is and loves the mud.
I’m expecting Jim Will Fix It, on the grounds that the form is on my side and I can’t be blamed if things go wrong. It’s simple stuff: both ‘Jim’ and Popcorn beat Rathlin around six lengths in November over the same trip on the same heavy ground at Thurles.
Today, Popcorn qualifies for a penalty, so Jim Will Fix It gets 6lb. ‘Jim’ also has two years on his side, a senior jockey and a 12lb advantage if translating hurdles form to fences. He’s the nap and best offer in a short-priced Daq Trio to get me back in my usual winning ways.
In the first two races, first Monksland and Tennis Cap (12.15) and then Rourke’s Cross and Local Celebrity (12.45) are inseparable on form, as in the market – offers are tight – until they’ve run, so the races are for watching.
The same applies to the beginners’ chase (2.50), with Berties Dream and Skorcher clear market leaders and deservedly so.
The 1.15 winners event has four at the front of the betting separated by 1.7 points, so not inviting either.
That leaves me ploughing through a Grade C stayers’ handicap (1.45): it’s going to require guts and stamina to win it (and that’s just the punters).
Irish Soul is a possibility but is 30lb higher than for the start of his hat-trick sequence in October.
The youngsters, Dibella, Toner d’Oudairies and Strain of Fame could all improve but I’m choosing between He’llberemembered (9.6) and Bale O’Shea (12.5).
Bale O’Shea was a useful hurdler who returned with a close-up finish behind He’llberembered at Naas in October and then fluffed his lines over fences. I think he’s underrated in the market, returned to the smaller obsbtacles.
SHAMROCK’S BETS
NAP: Jim Will Fix It (2.20 Navan)
EACH WAY: Bale O’Shea (1.45 Navan)
DAQ TRIO: Hinterland (12.10 Cheltenham), Jim Will Fix It (2.20 Navan), Oscar Whisky (3.35 Cheltenham)
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