MURTAGH SET FOR ARMCHAIR RIDE AT LIMERICK: Shamrock finds a star bet at 9.6 on Betdaq this morning, reckoning the clockwise track turns the race in her favour. But the strongest word from Limerick is that Johnny Murtagh’s sole mount is an ‘easy.’
Starr has a bright chance at Limerick. Though joint top-weight, Norah Starr (7.05) loves a right-handed track, having won at both Roscommon and Sligo on exactly today’s type of ground.
Her 9.6 this morning was big Betdaq value each way, considering her fitness from hurdles, and when you have a favourite, East Of Tara, who has made her name on AW and, as a Barathea, won’t like the ground drying out.
Kevin Prendergast had a maiden filly beat a big field on the opening day of the turf season at The Curragh on Sunday but Ahaaly (5.00) will have to overcome a low draw.
That also applies to Shebella from Sunday’s Lincoln winning stable of John Oxx, so I was thinking Ransomed Rose (stall 14) for Dermot Weld, who had a winner at The Curragh and then at Leopardstown yesterday.
And, along with most punters, I was also turning to Tommy Stack for an early sequence, with his Romantic Stroll in stall 11, but he was missing strike at the weekend; three in the frame without winning.
Then I ‘heard the word’ and saw the market rush for Shebella, so I have to assume that Johnny Murtagh’s only ride of the day will be as comfortable as an armchair.
Tommy Stack has a fine chance in the opener, with Penniston Line taking on three fillies but two of them are trained by the in form Wachman and Weld so Penniston is too short for me.
The same stable had Croi An Or (6.05) in front of the Ballydoyle horse, Great Ruler, at Dundalk in November but I’m going Weld again with Diplomat ‘expected.’
One at the front of the paper market for the day’s first handicap, Diamond Fire (5.30) never performs well on a right-handed track, has won only on AW and that way back in 2009. Add the poor recent form of his stable, and you have a place lay.
SHAMROCK’S BETS
NAP: Diplomat (6.05 Limerick)
NEXT BEST: Shebella (5.00 Limerick)
EACH WAY: Norah Starr (7.05 Limerick)
LAY FOR A PLACE: Diamond Fire (5.30 Limerick)
DAQ TRIO: Shebella (5.00 Limerick), Diplomat (6.05 Limerick) and Norah Starr (7.05 Limerick)
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