DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
WEDNESDAY APRIL 29
2.30 PUNCHESTOWN
As we witnessed in the first of the week’s competitive handicaps here yesterday, a horse laid out for a big pot in the J P McManus silks at this meeting is always a dangerous beast and AGUELLID could easily follow in the footsteps of Powerful in the final of the series sponsored by the great man himself.
Philip Hobbs & Johnson White’s gelding has been a bit of a handful in his four races over hurdle so far to date but there is no denying his talent and on the evidence of his most recent effort at Wincanton, he is becoming a little more amenable to restraint.
Scoring with a good deal more in hand than the bare result suggested at the west Country venue (went around the inside on the swamp), the speed figure and subsequent form of those behind him that day point towards a performance in excess of a horse rated 122 and saved for this prize since, he gets a chance to put that theory to the test over a trip that seems likley to play into his strengths.
AGUELLID – 1-point each-way@11-2 (five places)
3.05 PUNCHESTOWN
SIMPLY NATURAL just came out second best of a titanic struggle with the very game Aliteration at Fairyhouse last time out but with the data suggesting it was by some way her best career effort, Gavin Crimwell’s mare has stronger claims than her odds indicate in the final of the Red Mills series.
Considering it was only her second start over hurdles, her performance came with a good deal of credit up against a rival who had experiences of many battles alongside some quality performers and with the pair pulling well clear of the rest, the form looks solid in the context of today’s assignment.
Moreover, she receives valuable allowances that might edge the balance of power in her favour and the fact she is a former point winner also appeals as she steps up in trip.
SIMPLY NATURAL – 1-point each-way@6-1 (four places)
4.15 PUNCHESTOWN
The form of the Albert Bartlett is put under the microscope in this three mile test but they all endured a hard race and the best option is to look elsewhere in the shape of LOVE ME TENDER and I STARTED A JOKE.
The former has been running pretty well considering underfoot winter conditions have been totally agaunst him in his last three starts but the fact connections have enough faith in him to pitch him against Grade 1 company in the first place is one reason why he is worth more than a second look.
The other aspect of his claims stems from the possibility of further improvement to come now racing over three miles for the first time and if he is ever going to get a chance to stay the trip, today’s conditions offer the best opportunity he is likley to receive at Grade 1 level.
The ratings suggests the latter has a mouantin to climb but he ran a good deal better than his finisihing position suggested in a Grade 2 at Fairyhouse last time out and he might not be as out of place in today’s contest as the market predicts.
Charles Byrnes’ inmate almost got rid of his pilot at the very first flight at the Meath venue, so for him to even get back into the race let alone finish third, was a minor miracle.
Clearly he has plenty of stamina and guts based on the evidence presented from a month ago and if he improves for an extra half a mile, then Robert’s your dad’S brother, as the saying goes.
LOVE ME TENDER – ½ point each-way@10-1 (four places)
I STARTED A JOKE – ½ point each-way@18-1 (four places)
6.35 PUNCHESTOWN
Willie Mullins looks to hold a strong hand in this concluding bumper and of the front two in the market, preference is for LATOSCA DU HOUX at the morning odds.
The daughter of Gris De Gris wasn’t found in the market on her debut at Ayr but her performnace belied her position as a 14-1 poke and it was enough to atract the attention of her new trainer.
The keen going Goulmichette ensured the gallop was a strong one at the Sscottish venue but when she fainted at the top of the home straight, the five-year-old powered passed and maintained the relentless pace all the way to the line.
Posting a very smart speed figure for a race of its kind, she arrives her having recorded data that wouldn’t be out of place in a championship event and with the potential of further improvement to come being based at Closutton for a reasonable period, she could turn out to be the star of the show.
LATOSCA DU HOUX – 1-point each-way@7-1 (four places)