Joueuse Royale showing signs of quality
Lilian Bland wins from Joueuse Royale. Pic: Healy Racing
In the last week, the students packed Leopardstown and Limerick, and this afternoon it is the turn of Tramore to welcome them to the track for a seven-race programme.
For punters, it is a difficult-looking programme, but there has been enough promise in the hurdling efforts of Joueuse Royale to believe that she can make a winning debut over fences in the Tramore Promenade Beginners’ Chase.
Henry de Bromhead’s mare finished placed in two point-to-point races before embarking on a track career, and thus far, there have been some promising efforts in defeat but no victories.
Last time out, she ran well to push Lilian Bland to less than three lengths in a handicap at Downpatrick, and while that form suggests she must step up again, this doesn’t look like a strong race.
De Bromhead’s runners tend to improve for the sight of a fence, and this Robcour mare should be no different.
She is preferred to Karacole, who has the ability to win one of these but is a long-standing maiden. Caesar Rock sets the standard on his chasing form but the 121-rated nine-year-old, who won once in 11 starts over hurdles, is a 20-race maiden over fences and thus hard to have confidence in.
The meeting closes with the Gaultier Hunters’ Chase and Sean Doyle’s Gale Force Jet can use the opportunity to make a winning track debut.
The seven-year-old, who is out of a half-sister to the useful Alpha Ridge, has contested seven point-to-point races, and won three of them.
Last time out, at Monksgrange, he ran out an easy winner from one of these rivals, Haggard, and while the ground will be much quicker this time, he has winning form on good ground.
He is conceding track experience to the most obvious danger, Last Round, but the standard is far from insurmountable and he can come home in front.
4:25 Routine Excellence
4:55 The Store Boy
5:25 Hitthehayson
5:55 James The Brave
6:25 Joueuse Royale (nap)
6:55 Must Be Dreaming
7:25 Gale Force Jet (nb)
4:25 Darkened
4:55 Prove Yourself
5:25 Red Striker
5:55 Letters To Juliet
6:25 Karacole
6:55 Wyoming Baby
7:25 Last Round
