Go for Blackstairmountain
We certainly won’t get rich backing him, but Blackstairmountain looks easily the best wager on the card in the Hilltown Race.
This versatile sort is capable of winning on the flat, over fences and hurdles and arrives here on the back of finishing third behind Bob Lingo and Casey Top in the Galway Plate.
That two miles and six test, on soft ground, was always likely to prove a bridge too far for Willie Mullins’ admirable seven-year-old, but he ran a cracker.
Prior to that Blackstairmountain cruised to a ten lengths success over this course and distance and is hard to oppose now.
John Oxx’s Katiola gets the nod in the www.thetote.com Handicap over a stamina sapping mile and six.
The daughter of Oratorio only hinted at possessing ability when fifth to Caponata at Gowran Park in early May, but was then afforded a decent break.
Katiola reappeared at Leopardstown towards the end of July and much better was clearly expected. She was backed from 2-1 to 11-8 favourite and duly landed the touch, scoring by a snug half a length and indicating there was better to come.
