IN-FORM STABLE SETS TIPPERARY PUZZLE: Shamrock’s verdict on a double chance by in-form Joanna Morgan in the same race at Tipperary tonight is to back both at Betdaq offers.
RELY ON MURTAGH SKILLS: But, for his nap, Shamrock relies on the skills of jockey Johnny Murtagh to steer home an Aga Khan filly for the second time in a month.
Find the lady! I think Mick Halford’s filly Adiynara could outrun the colts in the Pride Of Tipperary Launch at 7.20 tonight.
I say ‘colts’ but it is a measure of the male opposition that all bar one has already been gelded and only one of them, Spin Of A Coin, has actually won a race, and that was in first-time blinkers; they may not have the same effect today.
It was a fine ride by Johnny Murtagh to win with Adiynara from a bad draw at Ballinrobe and his skills may be called on again but owner, the Aga Khan, will be keen to see her go forward, hoping eventually to get some black type for her.
Deleting the high draw in the 6.50 handicap, I’m left fancying An Mhi, twice a course-and-distance winner, to return to form.
One Of Three is lumbered with 10st 2lb topweight and Aragorn Icon will need a Houdini act to escape from the dreaded one box.
But – find the lady again! – deep down this handicap is a second runner for An Mhi’s trainer, Joanna Morgan: she has booked Pat Smullen for White Feathers. I’m going to have to put that one in each way.
However, I notice that all previous winners of this race have carried between 9-5 and 9-9 so I still favour An Mhi.
An Mhi’s jockey also rides Salaamie (6.20), which swerved a race at Naas yesterday, but will again have to beat Pat Smullen, whose mount, Khelino, has the beating of Foot Perfect and – on a line through Natalisa – Yellow Dandy.
But the one for me is Jamesie, placed on a fast tight track at Chester; Colm O’Donoghue rode him that day and thought Tipperary the obvious move. Likes a bit of cut.
The mare Gudnis Gracious Me (8.20) looks a back-and-lay with her front-running style but, with Adiynara tonight’s nap, I’m hoping that I’m already in the money to pay for her bet from this afternoon’s racing at Ffos Las.
The link is that One For Joules (3.45), the pick of ‘Shark’ Hanlon’s three raiders, had a comfortable win here, at Tipperary, last month and her subsequent Roscommon Flat success makes her something to bet.
SHAMROCK’S BETS
NAP: Adiynara (7.20 Tipperary)
NEXT BEST: Jamesie (6.20 Tipperary)
EACH-WAY: One For Joules (3.45 Ffos Las), An Mhi (6.50 Tipperary), Gudnis Gracious Me (8.20 Tipperary)
OUTSIDER: White Feather (6.50 Tipperary)
DAQ TRIO: One For Joules (3.45 Ffos Las), Jamesie (6.20 Tipperary), Adiynara (7.20 Tipperary)
