DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
SUNDAY MARCH 23
2.53 LIMERICK
Dr Eggman is becoming a bit of bookies benefit in recent times and on balance, he is worth opposing with CHAMPAGNE KID (best price 7-2), who may turn out to be the more reliable conveyance.
Still searching for his breakthrough success over hurdles, he had the misfortune to cross paths with the smart Koktail Divin at Leopardstown last time out but at the same time, he kept on stoically for second and based on the data, that effort was by far and away his best one so far to date.
Prior to that solid performance, the six-year-old had been locking horns against the likes of Sounds Victorious, Port Joulain, who both ran in the Albert Bartlett and Cardcounter (won yesterday) and with his proven fitness likely to count for plenty over Good N’ Kind, who hasn’t raced for over a year, Paul Collins’ inmate can finally gain his due rewards for his consistency.
CHAMPAGNE KID – 1-point win@7-2
3.55 CARLISLE
HALPHA SOLEIL (best price 16-1) is one of two who languish from just out of the handicap in this competitive final of the Monet’s Garden series but his performance at Hexham last time was such that he might be capable of overcoming that negative and outrun his morning odds.
Striving for his first win of the campaign, Micky Hammond’s inmate looked as though he was going to end his drought when sent clear after jumping three out at the Borders venue, but he was ultimately collared by track specialist Divas Doyen in the dying strides.
In hindsight, he was probably in front plenty soon enough, allowing his mind to wander, and with connections keen not to allow lightening to strike twice with the introduction of the first-time cheekpieces, his focus will hopefully be a little sharper if in the same position again.
HALPHA SOLEIL – ½ point each-way@16-1
4.38 LIMERICK
WHERE’S FRANKIE (best price 14-1) was plain and simply outclassed by a quality field at Uttoxeter last time out but now racing against a more suitable standard of opponents, better ground and racing right-handed should see Karl Thornton’s inmate a more potent force back on home soil.
On a roll during last winter, the nine-year-old has yet to recapture the same dizzy heights so far this term but with the profile to suggest he always takes a few runs to find top gear, he might not be far away from turning the tide.
Although ultimately well beaten at the Midland venue last time out, he was still bang in contention turning for home and with the subsequent form of many in front of him that day boosting the speed figure the race produced, his effort probably wasn’t as bad as first feared.
In an ideal world, Fairyhouse would be his destination of choice and maybe today’s race is a precursor for something at the Easter festival next month but either way, he is too big a price to go unbacked and a small each-way interest is the advice just in case the jack does come up.
WHERE’S FRANKIE – ½ point ech-way@14-1