DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
MONDAY APRIL 21
2.05 FAIRYHOUSE
CHOSEN DIAMOND (best price 16-1) is quite partial to a bit of heavy ground and with connections no doubt cock-a-hoop that conditions have fallen well and truly in his favour, Ed Cawley’s gelding can kick-start a good day for his locally based team.
A game winner at the Meath venue back in February, the nine-year-old hasn’t been seen out since just touched off in a valuable handicap at Navan a month later by subsequent winner, Dunboyne (now rated 135) but that break shouldn’t be viewed as a negative as connections have clearly mapped out this race as a plan in the interim.
Although most of his best form is at 2m4f, he does harbour a cruising to suggest dropping back to the minimum trip shouldn’t prove too much of a barrier and in any case, odds of 16-1 are just far too big to resist.
CHOSEN DIAMOND – ½ point each-way@16-1 (five places)
2.35 PLUMPTON
The front row of the grid looks tasty for this two-mile handicap chase and one of those likely to be ridden just outside the heat of battle, ASTA LA PASTA (best price 11-2), is taken to keep his handler’s dreams well and truly alive in the trainer’s championship.
Dan Skelton’s inmate has been a little frustrating at times despite having a consistent season, but he showed what he is all about at Ayr last time out, whizzing around that sharp circuit for a bloodless success.
Given the way he won 10 days ago, there must have been a temptation to go again the day after at the Scottish venue, such was the prize on the table, but the decision to come here instead is probably the wiser of the options and he should be suited by how this race will pan out if ridden in the correct manner.
ASTA LA PASTA – 1-point each-way@11-2
3.15 FAIRYHOUSE
COME WALK WITH ME (best price 6-1) has been rubbing shoulders with some smart novices so far this season and having been handed what appears a more than favourable mark on handicap debut, Ed Cawley’s gelding is fancied to take advantage for local connections.
Although yet to win in four starts, each effort comes highly recommended in the context of today’s race and there is no shame being beaten by the likes of Honesty Policy, Jasmin De Vaux and Redemption Day.
Indeed, his latest exploits when making the latter-named pull out all the stops at Navan was a cracking performance in terms of pure form and speed figures and this strong-travelling type, likely to work his way into the heat of battle without too much fuss, rates a must for all would-be each-way players.
COME WALK WITH ME – 1-point each-way@6-1 (five places)
3.50 FAIRYHOUSE
Based on the data, the form of the Pertemps Final at the Cheltenham festival looks strong this season and FEET OF A DANCER (best price 15-2), having run her face off to finish a close-up fourth, is strongly fancied to represent that three-mile handicap a month ago with distinction.
As the race panned out at Prestbury Park, it paid to race handy so the fact she managed to finish as close to the winner considering she only had three behind her at the top of the hill is testimony to her ability and the ten lengths she made up during that time frame suggests she was easily the best horse in the field.
Although the ratings suggest she has a bit to find with some of those pegged in the 140+ category, the reality is she is probably much better than her current mark of 135 and having already proven her liking for today’s venue with a comprehensive victory the last time she shipped up, another bold show is anticipated from this likeable and tough mare.
FEET OF A DANCER – 1-point each-way@15-2
5.00 FAIRYHOUSE
A totally different dynamic over this year’s renewal of the Irish Grand National was cast when many of the classier types defected at the final declaration stage due to being tied up with other commitments and that scenario has opened the door wide open for a lesser light to step forward and steal the show – namely KINTURK KALANISI (best price 9-1).
Firstly, he is in the care of local handler Thomas Gibney who, remarkably for such a small stable, has won this prestigious prize twice in recent years with Lion Na Bearnai and Intense Raffles and similarly to the latter, he is a lightly raced, first season novice open to any amount of improvement.
Although yet to win in four starts over fences, his first three attempts were commendable efforts against some useful rivals from powerful stables and to just underline the company he has been keeping, he managed to finish just ahead of subsequent Scottish National hero, Captain Cody, in a hot contest at Navan two starts ago.
Running in his first handicap at Naas last time out, the seven-year-old seemed to have plenty left to offer when unshipping his inexperienced pilot two out and providing he has suffered no lasting effect from that untimely blow, he has every chance of making amends on an even bigger stage.
Moreover, he has twice gone well at today’s track over hurdles and with the strong possibility the step up in trip will really suit this smooth travelling type, the son of Kalanisi can strike another blow in this contest for the younger generation.
KINTURK KALANISI – 1-point each-way@9-1 (six places)