DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
FRIDAY AUGUST 7
6.26 WEXFORD
STRONG CONTENDER ended up being the chief sufferer against a huge track bias at Ballinrobe last time out and he is fancied to shape a good deal better in this similar affair providing he treads a more favourable route this time around.
There are certain parts tracks in Ireland where nobody should venture on watered, or rain-softened ground and around the inside at Ballinrobe is one such place any jockey worth his salt should avoid like the plague.
It soon became apparent to every pilot apart from J J Slevin that the best part of track at the Mayo venue was way out wide on the hare rail and yet he was the only one to allow his mount to race around the swamp on the inner.
Unsurprisingly, the first three home all benefitted from sensible rides, while Norman Lee’s inmate was wheel-spinning his way around the 2m6f journey and in the circumstances, he did well to come out of the race with some credit, staying on nicely in the closing stages to finish mid-division.
Clearly better than that upgradable performance, he is now down to a mark that can easily be exploited and having run quite well over an extended three miles at Kilbeggan previously, a bold show could well be on the cards.
STRONG CONTENDER – 1-point each-way@5-1
7.55 GOWRAN
CELTIC MOTIF is quite a tricky horse to get a proper handle on, but there is a strong possibility she might be above average based on several factors, and a chance is taken on Joseph O’Brien’s filly living up to that view.
Firstly, she didn’t need any second invitation to stretch her legs when pulling miles clear of her rivals at Killarney last time out and considering that was just her first outing for her new stable, there is every reason to believe there should be even more to come.
Secondly, and probably more importantly, it is worth noting the daughter of Saxon Warrior has held a couple of entries in pattern races of late only to have been withdrawn on the day (probably ground related), but the fact connections clearly think she is worthy of those targets indicates she is held in that sort of stature.
Currently rating 92, there’s a strong possibility she will end up way north of that assessment and the lightly raced four-year-old can be another shrewd acquisition for easily one of the trainers of the season.
CELTIC MOTIF – 2-points win@5-2