DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
FRIDAY JULY 18
3.05 KILLARNEY
GAELIC ARC (best price 11-2), as we’ve seen many times in the past, is a dangerous beast when left loose in lead and following yet another all-the-way success at Kilbeggan last time out, John Ryan’s gelding has bright prospects of repeating the dose in a race he dominated last season.
The nine-year-old has really yo-yoed between trips in recent times from 3m2f to the minimum trip and although two miles is probably considered his optimum, he still managed to have enough left in the tank over 2m4f to see off his pursuers at the Mayo venue 32 days ago, having gone hard from an early stage.
Setting off as if his tail was on fire here last year, he soon had his rivals at the pin of their collars and with similar tactics likely to be the order of the day again for the son of Arcadio, another bold bid from the front looks on the cards.
GAELIC ARC – 1-point each-way@11-2
6.25 NEWMARKET
ANGEL SHARED (best price 13-2) was terrifically game in victory over tonight’s C&D last time out and with connections quick to seize on the opportunity to head straight back to HQ at the soonest possible moment, Steph Hollinshead’s filly can make her course knowledge count.
Having raced unsuccessfully over five furlongs on her first three starts this season, the four-year-old was able to dictate a pace more to her liking on The July Course 21 days ago and despite being pestered by several of her main market rivals from two out, she bravely fought them off to record career win number four.
Posting a useful speed figure into the bargain, she also proved she can win under faster conditions than ideal (her other victories came on soft ground) and even though the sight of a couple of other potential front runners in the field raises one or two concerns, hopefully regular pilot Dougie Costello reads the room and rides a race accordingly.
ANGEL SHARED – ½ point each-way@13-2
8.00 DOWN ROYAL
HEATHER (NAP) (best price 4-1) came out the right side of a titanic dual with Elana Osario at Ballinrobe last time out and with her conqueror going on to boost the form at Killarney the other night, Ger Lyon’s filly looks to have the best credentials to land this similar prize.
The race at the Mayo venue three weeks ago looked a strong one of its kind beforehand and the pace was solid enough throughout thanks to the exploits of Fratas and No Niki No – the latter another who has gone on to endorse the form with a win since.
Pulling well clear of the rest, the front two quickened in the style of two fillies who could easily take their games to another level and now proven over the trip, the daughter of Camelot is expected to continue to progress through the ranks.
HEATHER – 2-points win@4-1