TWO NAPS OUT OF TWO: Shamrock followed up Lively Baron (WON 1-3) on Tuesday with Gullinbursti (WON 13-8) yesterday for two naps out of two.
GUIDE TO SUNDAY’S ROYAL BOND: After his Hatton’s Grace analysis yesterday, here’s Shamrock’s guide to another Sunday big race at Fairyhouse, the Royal Bond Novice Hurdle.
Dylan Ross No relation to Dylan Thomas but by American sire Shantou. Already a Fairyhouse winner, scoring as he pleased there in October, with the runner-up winning twice since and the 10-lengths third beating 24 others last time out.
But this dual bumper winner was no match for the favourite, Il Fenomeno, in a Grade 3 at Navan, despite strong support in the market. They meet again on Sunday.
Galileo’s Choice This time the name game yields a result: this gelding is indeed by Galileo but out of a Sir Ivor mare who has so far produced related Flat winners only up to 1m 4f but, by another sire, is responsible for Tharawaat, hurdles scorer twice, oncee at Graded level, and a chase winner three times.
Galileo’s Choice landed a summer hat-trick of a maiden hurdle and two wins on the Flat, including the Group-3 Kilternan Stakes at Leopardstown in September.
Il Fenomeno Winner of €150,000 on the Flat in Italy, including a Group 3 at Capannelle. With the second horse, came away 16 lengths clear of a subsequent winner when breaking his maiden at Punchestown in October.
When he subsequently beat Dylan Ross at Navan, the third horse, six and a half lengths away in receipt of 7lb, was remembered for romping away with a bumper at Punchestown in the Spring.
Sous Les Cieux On his first appearance over hurdles was third of a big field behind the subsequent Cheltenham Festival winner Sir Des Champs at Auteuil.
Ran very well at Fairyhouse at the start of the year and returned there for the start of the new season only a fortnight ago with a resounding success at long odds-on.
Midnight Game Like Il Fenomeno, represents the all-connquering Team Gigginstown. Unraced for more than a year after first or second seven times in a row on the Flat in the French provinces.
Launched over obstacles at Punchestown recently, he was a well-backed favourite beaten only half a length: the winner, Corbally Ghost, is a stablemate of Il Fenomeno, and also reckoned something special.
Dazzling Susie A bit old for this – six, where the rest of the field is four or five – but did not start her hurdles career until the spring, after a double of bumpers on soft-heavy ground and was fourth in the Punchestown Champion NH Flat Race.
She won her maiden hurdle on the same course but was 17 lengths behind Miss Nomer, stepped up to a Grade 3 at Down Royal nearly a month back now.
Miss Nomer The Down Royal success was at the expense of dual October winner Noras Fancy but that one was giving 7lb and it also has to be said that Dazzling Susie, though odds on, was returning from more than five months’ holiday.
Nevertheless, the handicapper was impressed enough to put Miss Nomer up 8lb. A very special race is in prospect on Sunday. Take the winner out and wine and dine on him (or her) in the future.
SHAMROCK’S BETS
NAP: Kells Belle (2.00 Leicester)
NEXT BEST: Night In Milan (2.25 Market Rasen)
DAQ TRIO: Kells Belle (2.00 Leicester), Night In Milan (2.25 Market Rasen), Causing Chaos (3.00 Market Rasen)
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