Opportunity knocks for Stoneyford Lady at Thurles
IN-FORM PAIR: Henry de Bromhead and Darragh O'Keeffe look likely to visit the winner's enclousure at Thurles on Thursday. Pictue: Healy Racing
Thus far Stoneyford Lady has shown no semblance of the same ability as her Champion Chase-winning half-brother Captain Guinness — or, indeed, her Grade One runner-up half-brother Brookie — but Thursday afternoon’s opening race at Thurles, the Racing Again November 20 Beginners’ Chase affords Henry de Bromhead’s mare an ideal opportunity to get off the mark on her first attempt over fences.
This race is confined to horses rated 100 or lower over hurdles and while the six-year-old went up to a mark of 102, she recently slipped back to 97. Last time out, in a handicap hurdle at Tramore, she ran into the very much in-form Rock Ya Boy Ya, who had won a race just days earlier, and subsequently gave the form a nice boost by completing a hat-trick.
That run at Tramore backed up a nice effort in defeat at Down Royal and if she can translate it to these larger obstacles, which De Bromhead’s runners tend to do, she will play a leading role in this company.
Kotkito Bello is also capable of making a mark over fences and is respected on his first start over the larger obstacles. Paul Nolan’s horses are in good form and thus Auntie Lacey, who will benefit from Eoin Staples’ 7lbs claim, is also worthy of consideration.
Kazakh d’Arthel got off the mark over fences when successful earlier this month in Cork and he can follow up in the Littleton Handicap Chase.
Gavin Cromwell’s gelding has far too many letters amongst his form figures but on that occasion in Mallow, he jumped well, barring the first fence, and won with a considerable amount in hand.
Given the lack of depth in the opposition, it is no surprise his mark was left unchanged, and the hope must be that the run has served as a confidence-booster for the five-year-old. Given he was quite keen in the early stages of that race, the presence of the forward-going Wilywampus should serve as an aid to him, and he ought to be hard to beat despite this being quite a competitive contest.
A Nod To Getaway is a danger to the selection. Winner of a handicap chase at the August meeting in Killarney, he was far from disgraced when third on his next start, and while he has gone up another 2lbs for that defeat, he remains capable. Darragh O’Keeffe, who rode him in Killarney and has won twice and been in the first three four more times in 10 outings on the horse, is back in the saddle. A bold bid looks assured.
1:30 Stoneyford Lady (Nap)
2:00 Kazakh d’Arthel (NB)
2:30 Due Course
3:00 Found A Diamond
3:30 Imperial Miss
4:00 Destivelle
4:34 Mc Swagger
1:30 Kotkito Bello
2:00 A Nod To Getaway
2:30 River Vale
3:00 Rebel Budz
3:30 Carried With Love
4:00 Inchiquin Maid
4:34 Garahon
