SHAMROCK MAKES IT 4 OUT OF 5 NAPS THIS WEEK: The sensational naps run goes on for Shamrock. He made it 4 from 5 this week when Friday’s NAP ROMAN FLIGHT WON 100/30 at Cork.
The headlines have been made off the track this morning with the news that Jim Bolger has been forced to rule Parish Hall out of the Abu Dhabi Irish 2000 Guineas at the Curragh due to a leg infection.
Due to the close proximity of the Irish Guineas to the Investec Derby next Saturday, Bolger has also had to give up on the idea that his colt will turn up at Epsom.
Winner of the Dewhurst last season, Parish Hall is a son of Bolger’s champion juvenile Teofilo and was favourite for the Curragh Classic.
Bolger confirmed the news, saying: “It’s not a very pleasant experience getting so close to the race.
“He’s picked up a leg infection but at this stage I’ve no idea how long it will keep him off for.
“I’d imagine I will have a better idea by Wednesday or Thursday.
“This rules out Epsom as well.”
I’m on a NAPS roll this week and was delighted with ROMAN FLIGHT winning the opener at Cork this week at 100/30 – the best price NAP of the week so far:
MONDAY: EMOTIONAL DREAM ** NAP ** WON 6/4
TUESDAY: MILIIKA ** NAP ** WON 1/2
WEDNESDAY: Johannisberger ** NAP ** unplaced
THURSDAY: HARTANI ** NAP ** WON 11/8
FRIDAY: ROMAN FLIGHT ** NAP ** WON 100/30
The only horse to let us down was Johannisberger who was found to be lame after the race.
It would be nice to think the defection of Parish Hall has made the Irish 2,000 Guineas easier to solve but it still looks fiendishly hard.
The biggest problem is the ground – the heatwave over the last week has returned the ground to what we might expect in late May but all the form is on soft (and in some cases heavy) ground from the earlier rainfest.
The English Guineas form is represented by Hermival (3rd) and Trumpet Major (4th), Born To Sea (12th) and Power (17th). The ground should certainly help Power but surely you would want more than 4.3 for your money after his Newmarket flop even allowing for the magic that team O’Brien can weave? The fact he heads the BETDAQ market says a lot about the race.
We have to take a leap of faith with the ground but the bet for me has to be Takar at around 7.4. He’s looked very impressive in his two wins at the Curragh and Leopardstown on easier ground and surely is capable of further improvement.
For the all-important nap, I’m taking Dermot Weld’s classy mare Emulous to repeat her win of last year in the 3.50. She’s comes to this race with the lack of a recent run (which she had last year) but the same comment applies to chief rival Alanza.
Emulous went from strength last season finishing up with an impressive Group One success in the Matron Stakes at Leopardstown in September.
SHAMROCK’S BETS:
NAP: Emulous (3.50 Curragh)
NEXT BEST: Takar (3.15 Curragh)
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