6-1 WINNER IN DOUBLES TILT:  Shamrock tried a new tack yesterday: he put one in his double at an each-way price and, while the nap was beaten into third, the win-and-place next best, (Tom Horn WON 6-1) was the one to oblige.
 
17.5 OUTSIDER ON THE DAQ: Today’s nap was the gamble of the morning early doors, but the next best was a huge price at 8.4, if Shamrock is right, that it’s a two-horse race. His outsider was 17.5 this morning.

Me first! There’s better than 7-1 in a two-horse race. I think the Flat-stayers’ handicap (5.50) could be a match between two hurdlers, Gudnis Gracious Me and Dorset Square, and guess which one is 8.4 this morning.

Carrying more than 9st 1lb in the seven-year history of this race has not been done, but there was a similar race on the course three weeks ago when the 10st 2lb top-weight won – less a 3lb claim – for Gordon Elliott. Runner-up that day was Lucky Spring and fourth was Mosman Park, both reappearing in tonight’s race. Lucky Spring has gone up 6lb for that but Mosman Park – who was more than eight lengths behind him – has been demoted by 2lb.

Recently-placed four-year-olds Apache Drums and Kristal Komet could improve and take a hand but the jumpers appeal most: Gudnis Gracious Me, winner of two hurdles and a chase in the last year or so, and Dorset Square, who had back-to-back hurdles wins in the spring.

Dorset Square has the Mullins’ magic but the stable is out of form and Gudnis Gracious Me (8.4 on Betdaq) has Ballinrobe form figures of 1201, of which the 12 are Flat races on a sound surface.

Those races were over further but Gudnis Gracious Me is a front-runner and, having shown her versatility, I think the mare is going to be very hard to catch, even with the showers that are forecast.

John Oxx would be delighted with rain for the Selkirk filly Dawariya (6.20), who became very short this morning, kicking Hadrian’s Waltz from the front of the market, with only a bit of money for Jubilant Times.

Dawariya is a galloping sort but, despite the turns of Ballinrobe, she looks a cut above them and can get my nap back on track, with Gudnis Gracious Me a fancy price to complete the double.

If the ground remains on the firm side, Ashton Rose (6.50) is the one from her favoured low number in the 6.50 nine-furlong handicap: the lightly-raced filly makes the 200-mile round trip from The Curragh with a good chance of paying for the price of petrol (and that’s costing something these days).

Sun Disc was hampered when trying to land a gamble first time in a handicap. That let the cat out of the bag but, with only four runs on her CD, she is still unexposed.

Waterford trainer Patrick Flynn is knocking at the door with his last two runners both second and, when I see a horse clear top rated (Racing Post), and blinkered first time, as if to say ‘go’, yet 17.5 on the Daq, I have to speculate. Name of the horse, actually a mare, Dancing Bird. Go!

SHAMROCK’S BETS
NAP: Dawariya (6.20 Ballinrobe)
NEXT BEST: Gudnis Gracious Me (5.50 Ballinrobe)
OUTSIDER: Dancing Bird (8.30 Ballinrobe)
DAQ TRIO: Gudnis Gracious Me (5.50 Ballinrobe), Dawariya (6.20 Ballinrobe), Ashton Rose (6.50 Ballinrobe)