DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
THURSDAY APRIL 30
4.15 PUNCHESTOWN
It has very much been a case of ‘getting to know you’ where BALLYKINLAR is concerned since joining new connections but there has been enough ‘encouraging signs’ as Talksport’s Jason Cundy might say, to suggest he can go well at a big price if seeing out three miles on his first attempt (may have won an irish point but for falling three out).
A three-time winner for Donncha Duggan last summer, the son of Irish Wells joined his new Welsh base after finishing a crediatble runner-up in a listed contest over 2m5f at Limerick in October and since then, he has had just two runs for Mickey Bowen, each time running better than the bare result suggested in red-hot handicaps at the big spring festivals.
The latest of those performances saw the seven-year-old keep on well to finish a respectable seventh behind Wellington Arch at Aintree, yet despite that useful display, he now finds himself back on a workable mark of 126.
Based on all known evidence, he is best on decent ground and in a race where there doesn’t appear to be too many poking their head above the parapit to suggest they are massively well handocapped, he could easily be good enough to outrun his huge morning odds.
BALLYKINLAR – ½ point each-way@18-1 (six places)
4.50 PUNCHESTOWN
The race won by COME WALK WITH ME at the Fairyhouse festival a month ago produced one of the fastest speed figures over the three days and providing Ed Cawley’s gelding is in a similar head space a month on, he has every chance of completing a notable double.
For a horse still in transition from hurdles to fences, to produce the performance he did at the Meath track on just his fourth attempt as a chaser was extremely impressive and with the runner-up, Moudan, going on to demolish a competitive field at Ayr next time out, the form couldn’t be any more watertight.
The way the seven-year-old jumped and travelled in the environment of a very helter-skelter affair suggest these two-mile handicap chases are where his future lies and despite the expected hike in the ratings, another solid account looks on the cards.
COME WALK WITH ME – 1-point each-way@7-1 (four places)
6.05 PUNCHESTOWN
KAWABOOMGA left the impression he rather gifted the race to Slade Steel at Fairyhouse last time out and he is worth another chance to prove that theory correct over a trip that should play even more into his strengths.
Not known for front running tactics, Willie Mullins’ inmate looked like a duck out of water when asked to lead in the Grade 2 at the Meath venue a month ago and whether he got distracted by the vehicle carrying the scout camera on the run to three out, a bad mistake at that juncture handed an advantage over to his main rival from which he failed to overturn.
To his great credit, however, he rallied gamely to the cause to see out his race well to repel the rest for a second place and if given a more effectient ride this time around, he easily has the sufficent qualities to be the springer in a division that lacks any consistency from any of the main players.
KAWABOOMGA – 1-point win@4-1
8.15 KEMPTON
MAKE IT UP proved no match for the very well handicapped Three Socks On at Wolverhampton last time out but his effort in finishing a creditable third was a big step in the right direction and hailing from a yard who are in a rich vein of form at present, William Knight’s charge can continue the general theme.
Having his first run since undergoing a gelding operation, the son of Make Believe didn’t have much to recommend him on handicap debut but the market rather fortold the likely improvement and so it came to pass, as he kept on well after a slow beginning to be never nearer at the finish.
On the evidence of that display in a well run affair, the lightly raced three-year-old could easily do better now facing an extra two furlongs and it would be a small surprise if he couldn’t make some sort of impact off his bargain basement mark.
MAKE IT UP – 1-point each-way@5-1