Pomme Tiepy looks cracking each-way value at 10/1 in Irish Grand National
At the moment the mare is set to carry 9-12 and, while I would love to think I’ll manage to do that, miracles don’t happen! I had a very good breakfast yesterday morning and expect that will be the last proper meal I will have between then and Monday.
I will definitely do 10-0 and there’s a small chance of 9-13. Of course, it will all become irrelevant should Notre Pere miss the race.
He has been declared to run off top weight, but Jim Dreaper has made no secret his participation depends on the ground being suitable.
Basically, Notre Pere wants a surface with cut in it and Jim intends to wait until the morning of the race before arriving at a final decision.
If he takes him out then the alternative handicap kicks in and there will be a rise in the weights of 7lbs. That would see Pomme Tiepy carrying 10-5, which would be ideal.
But I can’t spend the weekend hoping that’s going to be the case and will prepare as if she is sure to have just the 9-12.
To my way of thinking, she’s the pick of the weights and I’m just hoping the six-year-old comes right back to her best. She’s working well and seems in good form at home.
The ground is currently regarded as good to yielding and you could argue that will prove too quick for her. A little rain then wouldn’t go astray, but I think she’ll handle it anyway.
You can also argue Pomme Tiepy is up against it, on the basis this will be her first handicap. But Commanche Court was contesting his first handicap when I won the National on him.
I’m expecting a big performance and, I’m told, she was 10-1 yesterday, so is cracking each-way value.
I’m down in Cork this afternoon for three rides, although it’s unlikely any of them will exactly set the world on fire. That said, Candy Girl is capable of going close in the Listed chase.
She’s a decent sort of mare, who has been absent since finishing second to Dancing Tornado over hurdles at Leopardstown at Christmas.
That’s 103 days ago, but I’m pretty certain there hasn’t been a problem, because she’s been on the go all the time. The form with Dancing Tornado is reasonable, she actually ran a smashing race that day, and stays three miles.
Lesoto Diamond in the mares maiden hurdle, you’d imagine, will need the run. To my mind, she’s a real summer sort, who hasn’t been seen since finishing down the field in the Irish Cesarewitch at the Curragh in September. A watching brief may be best for the moment.
At first glance Polmar’s prospects may not be obvious, humping top weight in a handicap chase. But don’t be surprised should he prove the each-way bet of the weekend.
He’s doing things right at home and is a lot better than he has looked so far on the racecourse. I just hope Polmar is not one of those who doesn’t produce what he’s capable of at the races.
I have six solid rides at Fairyhouse tomorrow and it will be most disappointing should I walk out the gate without a winner. It would be nice to start off on Any Bets in a handicap hurdle.
He did, however, go up 9lbs for winning a bad race at Downpatrick, so I’m no more than hopeful. I was in front, though, way too soon then and he might improve plenty for getting a proper ride!
I’m on Voler La Vedette for Colm Murphy, in a Grade 3 novice hurdle for mares, only because of what happened to Matt O’Connor at Thurles.
It is great to hear that Matt continues to make progress and it is far more important he gets well, rather than the fact I’m aboard this mare.
All I know about Voler is she’s won two bumpers and a maiden hurdle, at Leopardstown, and I’m very much looking forward to teaming up with her.
I’m expecting good run from Kempes in the Grade 2 novice hurdle. He went to Cheltenham to contest the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle, but his Festival effectively ended at the first.
Kempes made a bad mistake and should have ended up on the floor. He could never get involved after that and we can be confident of a much more prominent showing now.
I had the choice of all four of Willie Mullins’ in the Powers’ Gold Cup and have settled on Golden Silver. I’ve won two on Deutschland, two on Barker, one on Jayo and, yet, have gone with a horse I’ve never ridden before.
Golden Silver is working great and I just think his defeat of Forpadydeplasterer at Leopardstown is the best form of any of Willie’s.
Uimhiraceathair has our hearts broken and we are hoping that stepping up to three miles for the first time will prove the key to him in a fiercely competitive handicap hurdle.
I still think he’s good and find it hard to believe that a horse who won two bumpers remains a maiden over hurdles this late in the season.
Aggie’s Lad, who has a relatively high rating of 122, will love the trip and has bags of experience, has every chance of rounding off the two days for me in style in the beginners chase.
