Cheltenham win would be timely tonic for Mellysse
Manger Hanagment is bidding for a six-timer, while Ongenstown Lad bolted in at Gowran Park in a handicap last week. Catherinscrather won well in Tipperary and Listowel, so it’s competitive.
I ride Round Tom and he has a bit to find on ratings but he’s fit, will love the ground and love the track. He’s tough and he does try so he’s an each-way chance.
Tonic Mellysse is my best ride of the day. He disappointed at Kempton on his first run of the year but was really impressive in Ayr at the back end of last season. He’s a bit like Domtaline last week in that he’s well forward and in really good form.
Again, there are a few Irish runners. Plan A was well fancied for the Fred Winter last year and ran well to be fourth. He won at Fairyhouse last week but Paul is very happy with his horse. He won on quick ground before as well. If it stays the way it is, it will really suit him.
Looking at Silviniaco Conti last week, Toubab might need the run but that’s not a bad thing. It’s a long way until the end of the season in April. If he improves as Silviniaco should, and jumps as Silviniaco did, we’ll be very happy.
But for me, it’s a weaker race than last week’s. Zaynar will probably be favourite and he’s well beatable over two miles. So, I won’t be shocked if Toubab wins but neither will I be shocked if he gets a bit tired after the last.
I ride Alexandr Nevsky in the bumper. Jane Mangan won on him in Fairyhouse but I’d be very fearful of Clondaw Warrior. He’s been very impressive. It’s a nice ride to get on Alexandr Nevsky but Clondaw Warrior’s form is rock solid and I think he’ll be very hard to beat.
If you’re struggling with my bets in Cheltenham, you could do worse than double up on Willie’s two at Downpatrick today. Patrick rides Rockyaboya in the beginners’ chase, having won a maiden hurdle on him already. He’s schooled really well and the ground will suit.
Koko Lane was second in Gowran last time out and seems to have improved for the run. Mind you, looking at today’s bumper, what he did that day would nearly do.
Waterloo Rock gets me under way in the first at Cork. Conor O’Dwyer thinks he’s a real nice horse but he has run quite freely. Hopefully I’ll be able to get him to settle a bit better tomorrow and if he does, he’ll run a big race.
Davy Russell rides one of the Gigginstown horses, Maxim Gorky. They won both maiden hurdles at Punchestown during the week and I’d imagine he’ll be the one to beat. I haven’t had that many rides for Conor and the ones I have had have always gone well so I’d give him a good each-way shout.
Next up is Eightybarackstreet in the novice hurdle. Rebel Fitz will probably be a short-priced favourite but I was disappointed with him in Clonmel. I thought he made heavy enough weather of winning a very ordinary race there. When Mikey Winters speaks highly of a horse, he tends to be right but this fella hasn’t lived up to the billing that I was led to believe he deserved.
I’m not sure if Eightybarackstreet will beat him but I think he’s opposable. Absolutlyfantastic won well in Gowran Park on his only run and he might be the one.
Scotsirish is in great nick. I rode him in work on Tuesday and Thursday. He has top weight but he has shown that he is capable of winning handicaps with top weight, albeit that they were both over 2½ miles. But he has really good form at Grade 3 and Grade 2 form over two miles.
The one you’d be worried about is Peak Raider, who is only three pounds out of the handicap. He’s in on 9st 10lbs, so he is getting a lot of weight. But Scotsirish is very consistent and he’ll run a big race.
Michael Hourigan is another trainer, like Conor O’Dwyer, who I don’t ride too much for. He doesn’t generally call me unless he thinks he’s going to go close and Lend A Hand Son comes into that category. I won on him before in Sligo in May. He ran an absolute cracker on the flat in his last run and he will love the ground. Michael thinks he’s got a great shout.
