OPENING DAY WINNING NAP: Shamrock napped Champion Hurdle winner HURRICANE FLY (pictured) WON 13/8 on the opening day on Tuesday. He is now 7 winning naps from last 12 (only one odds-on).
Quick word on yesterday. We got a return from three of the five recommended bets and have Arabella Boy still to come in the cross country chase which has been postponed until tomorrow.
Delighted with both Hurricane Fly and Quevega who both scored emotional wins for the Mullins stable and were given exemplary rides from Ruby Walsh – both looked in trouble during their respective races.
The run of recent SHAMROCK NAPS (7 winners from last 12) is now:
Saturday: Stockton’s Wing (NAP) WON 5/4
Sunday: LOST
Wednesday: Follow The Sign (NAP) WON 2/1
Thursday: Bright New Dawn (NAP) WON 6/4
Friday: LOST
Saturday: 2nd
Sunday: Operating (NAP) WON 7/4
Thursday: LOST
Friday: Super Sling (NAP) WON 5/4
Saturday: Marlbrook (NAP) WON 4/9
Sunday: 2nd
Tuesday: Hurricane Fly (NAP) WON 13/8
1:30 John Oaksey National Hunt Chase (Amateur Riders’ Novices’ Chase) (5yo+, Class 2, 4m, 16 runners) After a stupendous opening day for Team Mullins with three winners it’s time for them to focus on day two. Back In Focus is their runner in this opener and it’s no surprise to see him trading as favourite which, in part, is because of the stable form yesterday. This represents a step-up in distance (but that applies to many – there’s not many four milers in the season!) and he has given every indication he can step to four miles and in doing so complete a four timer.
SELECTION: Back In Focus (WIN)
2:05 Neptune Investment Management Novices’ Hurdle (Registered As The Baring Bingham Novices’ Hurdle) (Grade 1) (4yo+, Class 1, 2m 5f, 9 runners) Not original, but I think Pont Alexandra will win for Mullins and make him my second day nap. He won in France on debut and has since been hugely impressive when winning Grade 1 and Grade 2 races at Navan and Leopardstown where he made the running on both occasions. Rule The World looks another solid chance for the Irish and Chatterbox looks a big price for the home team but Pont Alexandra can confirm the immense promise he has already shown.
SELECTION: Pont Alexandra (NAP, WIN)
2:40 RSA Chase (Grade 1 Novices’ Chase) (5yo+, Class 1, 3m 110y, 11 runners) Boston Bob, again for Willie Mullins, looks to have a solid chance despite Ruby Walsh being on Unioniste. Boston Bob snatched victory from the jaws of defeat to win at Leopardstown last time out but has given the impression that the step-up in distance will be suited. The Dessie Hughes trained Lyreen Legend wasn’t far behind Boston Bob last time and is another likely to be suited by the step-up in distance. At the BETDAQ prices he looks a better value recommendation on the place market.
SELECTION: Lyreen Legend (PLACE)
3:20 Sportingbet Queen Mother Champion Chase (Grade 1) (5yo+, Class 1, 2m, 7 runners) An unsatisfactory finish to this race last year may have cost Sizing Europe another win to add to his win here in 2011. He comes into the race in good form and will be a tough challenge for red-hot favourite Sprinter Sacre. However, Sprinter is four years younger and that might just be the biggest factor. Sizing Europe to be placed looks sensible even though there are just the two places.
SELECTION: Sizing Europe (PLACE)
4:00 Coral Cup (Grade 3 Handicap Hurdle) (4yo+, Class 1, 2m 5f, 28 runners) Abbey Lane, win and place looks a tentative play in one of the toughest races of the whole week. He could be well handicapped and he won well at Leopardstown last time giving the impression that this longer trip will suit further.
SELECTION: Abbey Lane (WIN and PLACE)
4:40 Fred Winter Juvenile Handicap Hurdle (Grade 3) (4yo, Class 1, 2m 110y, 24 runners) Top weight Blood Cotil could be the pick of the Mullins trained trio and there was no disgrace with his effort behind Triumph Hurdle favourite Our Conor at Leopardstown last time out.
SELECTION: Blood Cotil (WIN and PLACE)
5:15 Weatherbys Champion Bumper (Standard Open NH Flat Race) (Grade 1) (4-6yo, Class 1, 2m 110y, 24 runners) The Irish have a great record in this contest and I was hugely taken with the way Le Vent d’Antan won at Leopardstown on debut. Trainer Liz Doyle has plenty of experience with top classs bumper performers and is very bullish about this ones chances.
SELECTIONS: Le Vent D’Antan (WIN and PLACE)
SHAMROCK’S BETS
1.30 Back In Focus (WIN)
2.05 Pont Alexandra (NAP, WIN)
2.40 Lyreen Legend (PLACE)
3.20 Sizing Europe (PLACE)
4.00 Abbey Lane (WIN and PLACE)
4.40 Blood Cotil (WIN and PLACE)
5.15 Le Vent D’Antan (WIN and PLACE)
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