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 Iām still boxing along. If you think those are tips for Navan this afternoon, thatās as maybe. But, in fact, itās yours truly bemoaning a couple of bad days.
So Iām not going for the big picture. And Iām not going to hide myself away in the back row with Popcorn (2.20), reliable fella though he is and loves the mud.
Iām expecting Jim Will Fix It, on the grounds that the form is on my side and I canāt be blamed if things go wrong. Itās simple stuff: both āJimā 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. āJimā also has two years on his side, a senior jockey and a 12lb advantage if translating hurdles form to fences. Heās 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 Rourkeās Cross and Local Celebrity (12.45) are inseparable on form, as in the market ā offers are tight ā until theyāve run, so the races are for watching.
The same applies to the beginnersā 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 stayersā handicap (1.45): itās going to require guts and stamina to win it (and thatās 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 dāOudairies and Strain of Fame could all improve but Iām choosing between Heāllberemembered (9.6) and Bale OāShea (12.5).
Bale OāShea was a useful hurdler who returned with a close-up finish behind Heāllberembered at Naas in October and then fluffed his lines over fences. I think heās underrated in the market, returned to the smaller obsbtacles.
SHAMROCKāS BETS
NAP: Jim Will Fix It (2.20 Navan)
EACH WAY: Bale OāShea (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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