Today's Tips: Longer trip should suit De Plotting Shed at Clonmel
Gordon Elliott’s horse was well beaten into second place behind Our Duke on his bumper debut, in mid-November, but went one place better with a smooth victory a fortnight later at Fairyhouse.
Sent off favourite for a Listed Bumper at Ascot on his next start, he finished fourth behind Coeur Blimey, after which he was put over hurdles. On his jumping debut inside the rails, he ran a super race to get within three lengths of smart prospect Gurteen, at Navan.
While no match for the winner, it was a very promising effort, and the step up from two miles to two-three should suit the son of Beneficial.
Although his bumper victory results in him conceding weight to all bar one of his rivals, he looks progressive enough to do so successfully.
Knockraha Boss has some promising form and has place claims, but the most interesting of the selection’s rivals is Black Warrior, whose three runs in bumpers have promised plenty. If ready for his hurdling debut, he’ll go very close.
All The Way Home looks a value option in the two-and-a-half-mile handicap chase. Liz Doyle’s charge was well beaten on her seasonal debut at Fairyhouse last time, but that should cause no concern whatsoever as she had an identical start, in the same race, in 2015, and improved sufficiently from the Fairyhouse effort to win this race.
While she is 10lbs higher this time, it’s not the strongest of handicaps, and it’ll be no surprise if she follows up. Altiepix doesn’t look too harshly treated off a mark of 117, and should run his race, while King Blue looks capable of reaching the frame.
Mount Gunnery gets the nod in the Kilsheelan Beginners’ Chase. Pat Fahy’s eight-year-old was a fine second behind Tell Us More at Gowran in January, on what was his first run 18 months.
He failed to build on that at Down Royal next time, but that’s easily forgiven, and he can resume his progress here.
While many of the runners may find today’s trip on the sharp side, it is no concern for the selection, who can score at the expense of Some Drama.
The latter is better than he showed on his most recent start, and is a real player at this level.
