NOW FOR AN OUTSIDER AFTER TWO NAPS OUT OF TWO: Wizard tipster Shamrock did it again yesterday: after Sorcerer (WON 11-4), he landed his second nap running with Dream Function (WON 5-2). Dream odds for naps, aren’t they.. but just look at today’s at 15.5!
Is it a plot? At 15.5 this morning, we can afford to take a chance at Downpatrick this afternoon. The one I’m talking about is Breeze With Ease (4.00).
Here’s how I reckon it: he won the race last year; he’s dropped 3lb below his rating that day; his winning jockey in the race returns to the saddle for the first time this year.
The seven-year-old had two quick runs in August after a long break since April, and the last one was ‘a sighter’ in that today’s favourite, Claragh Native (up 10lb), won it, and Breeze With Ease is now 12lb better off.
Christy Grassick has Paul Townend keeping the faith with King Of Aran (3.30), who has leapfrogged the market leaders as I write, in to 4.5 favourite from double that in the paper forecast 7-1.
King Of Aran, who had a good season on the Flat, didn’t figure in a handicap hurdle last time, backed in to 9-2, but I’m told that Paul will be keen to ride him differently today, returning to maiden company.
Willie Mullins always relies on son Patrick at Downpatrick and the name’s-the-same rider has shot to the top of the jockeys’ list, percentage wise, on the course.
Patrick is relied on to get Rockyaboya (4.30) running for him in the maiden hurdle. The gelding is Willie’s sole representative at the meeting today.
But Rocky? You’ve said it. He struggled under Patrick at Tramore last time and was described as ‘clinically abnormal’ after the race.
Before that, he was beaten again as favourite under a power ride by Ruby Walsh, and the one to be on may be King’sandqueen’s, who just failed on the course in August and for whom Andrew McNamara deserts Earth Tremor today.
SHAMROCK’S BETS
NAP: Breeze With Ease (4.00 Downpatrick)
NEXT BEST: King Of Aran (3.30 Downpatrick)
OUTSIDER: the nap!
LAY: Rockyaboya (4.30 Downpatrick)
DAQ YANKEE: King Of Aran (3.30 Downpatrick), Breeze With Ease (4.00 Downpatrick), King’sandqueen’s (4.30 Downpatrick), Asymmetrical (5.35 Downpatrick)
