Punting
Michael Duffy
THE MAYO NEWS HANDICAP gets things underway at Ballinrobe this evening (Tuesday) and we are delighted to once again be sponsoring a race at Mayo’s only course, which continues to go from strength to strength.
Yesterday’s meeting was a graveyard for favourites but we think Mick Halford’s Ela’s Child should be a good thing in the first. She looked to have plenty in hand when winning recently at Fairyhouse.
Tipolino should have a good each way chance in the second at odds of around 10/1 for Harry Rogers while Zamilya has the look of banker material in the third.
Ruby Walsh drew a blank yesterday evening but looks to have a good chance for boss Willie Mullins with Imperial Hills in the JJ Burke Maiden Hurdle while Cabin Point made a nice debut over hurdles in Roscommon and will like the better surface here in the Tim Kelly Electrical Maiden.
The final two races are wide open affairs but the Northern trained Arondo could make the long journey worthwhile and in the finale we’ll plump for Casadei, who certainly likes it around Ballinrobe with two course wins to his name. It promises to be another action packed evening.
VALUE IN THE KING GEORGE
WHAT Dylan Thomas was for Aidan O’Brien and Ballydoyle in 2007, Duke of Marmalade is in 2008. Three Group 1 victories before the month of July has secured a lucrative future at stud for a horse who failed to record even a single victory last season. His chance of a fourth comes on Saturday at Ascot where the son of Danehill is already installed as a firm odds-on favourite for the King George. We’re going to look elsewhere for some value, and Youmzain could well have been that choice but for the sustained support that has seen his price shrink to 7-2. But if Youmzain has a chance — and he has a serious one — then a horse that finished on his tail at Epsom looks overpriced at 14-1. Last time out at Newmarket Papal Bull was undone by an overly tactical race and soft ground but his unlucky fourth behind Soldier of Fortune, Youmzain and Macarthur gives him a great each-way choice at the odds.
He’s quirky, and Ryan Moore may even desert him to ride Ask but that’s not a factor. The ground is though — don’t back this fellow is there’s a cut.
COUNTDOWN TO GALWAY
THE Galway festival is almost upon us and bookmakers pricing up the week’s two big races — Wednesday’s Galway Plate and Thursday’s Galway Hurdle — disagree wildly on a couple of horses that have tickled our fancy.
Christy Roche teed up Cool Running for the Plate with a hugely promising run behind Schindler’s Gold over hurdles at Fairyhouse recently. He finished third behind Sir Frederick in last year’s Plate and with his handicap mark preserved, JP McManus’s gelding must have a great chance. Paul Nicholls intends sending Hoo La Baloo over and if he does that will keep Cool Running off 10-2. Some firms are going only 10s about our choice but 14-1 is freely available and should be snapped up.
Anybody who saw Profound Beauty win at Leopardstown recently will have been quickly looking back through her form. It may be hard to believe that a horse who finished second to her recently, in the hands of one of Ireland’s top trainers AND who has some serious Galway Hurdle form, can be backed at 33-1. But that’s what available on The Last Hurrah and although he needs a handful of horses to come out, he’s worth a punt.
Two years ago The Last Hurrah finished third — not beaten far — to Cuan Na Grai in the Galway Hurdle after which he was off the track for almost 16 months. He has returned as good as ever this spring and a second placing in the recent Apprentice Derby at the Curragh should have him spot on for this.
Ballinrobe selections
5.40 - Ela’s Child
6.10 - Tipolino
6.40 - Zamilya (nap)
7.15 - Imperial Hills
7.45 - Cabin Point
8.15 - Arondo
8.45 - Casade
