Tom Horn going in the right direction
The progressive Noel Meade-trained Tom Horn can land the nap in the Nordman Portable Stables Hurdle at Bellewstown tomorrow.
He was most disappointing in bumpers, but has come into his own since being sent back over flights. At Clonmel in May he took his maiden by an easy four lengths, although that was a modest contest.
The selection came on plenty, however, and was impressive over three miles at Kilbeggan 13 days ago when stepping up in class.
The five-year-old made virtually all of the running and was value for a bit more than the two and a half lengths he had to spare over Presenting Nama.
Through the contest Tom Horn jumped and hung to his left, so travelling in the opposite direction, compared to both Clonmel and Kilbeggan, looks a plus.
The Irish Stallion Farms’ EBF Median Auction Maiden is probably best left to Dermot Weld’s Oh What A Kitten. She’s no flying machine, but is down in class, having finished a close third behind Giving Orders at Dundalk in April.
At Limerick tomorrow it is difficult to oppose Edward O’Grady’s Jumbo Rio in the Adare Festival Weekend Hurdle. The conditions of the race are stacked in his favour and he has 19lbs in hand of main rival, Takeyourcapoff.
Jumbo Rio warmed up for this with a solid effort at the Curragh eight days ago, runner-up behind the 12lbs receiving Glamorous in a ten furlongs handicap.
Liz Doyle’s Anoosou, winner of a Killarney bumper, is the one to beat in the Bet On-Course With Tote Maiden Hurdle. Following a decent break, he ran a cracker at Tipperary last month when two lengths second behind Life Of Reilly.
Air Chief, coming back after an even longer absence, chased home Alpine Eagle, successful again in the meantime, at Ballinrobe, and can go one better in the 21st July Twilight Racing Beginners’ Chase.
Bellewstown today is a minefield for punters and has to be approached with real caution. The nap falls on Undertheboardwalk in the jogforjockeys.ie Maiden Hurdle.
He was the medium of a big gamble at Limerick in early May, 10-1 to 5-2, but could only manage a remote seventh to Rockshandy.
Tony Martin’s charge made a crucial mistake on the far side of the track, however, and seemed to lose confidence almost immediately.
This is a bad race, Undertheboardwalk had clearly been showing plenty to warrant such a touch and, crucially, Ruby Walsh is now in the plate for the first time.
Witness Belle, beaten into second by Catcherinscratcher at Listowel over two and a half miles, should relish the extra four furlongs of the Sam Dennigan And Co Maiden Hurdle and has a life.
