DAILY RACING PREVIEW BY ANDY HOLDING
SUNDAY OCTOBER 18
3.00 LIMERICK
BOSTON RAJJ made a more than satisfactory start for new connections in a warm race at Listowel last month and if building on that initial performance, Ian O’Connor’s gelding is highly likely to outrun his odds.
The eight-year-old wasn’t in an overly promising position heading out of the back straight at the Kerry venue having been held up out of his ground early, but he slalomed his way through the field to finish a creditable sixth and in doing so, he took down some notable scalps.
Considering that was his first run since May, he is entitled to come on for the outing and having performed well on both of his two previous starts at today’s venue when trained by Gordon Elliott, the son of Rajj has a good bit more going for him than first meets the eye.
BOSTON RAJJ – ½ point each-way@22-1 (five places)
4.42 LEOPARDSTOWN
Sky Captain is the obvious starting point given his excellent effort in the Irish Cesarewitch at The Curragh last time out, coming from way off the pace to finish a never-nearer sixth, but slight preference at the prices is TRUTH BE TOLD and he can make up for having to miss several recent engagements due to deteriorating conditions.
This race wouldn’t have been the specific plan for Michael Grassick’s gelding but there is no doubt he has been kept back for a tilt at something substantial ever since being brought for 35k off Dermot Weld at the Tattersalls horses in training sale.
The son of Too Darn Hot certainly made the perfect start on his first start for new connections here back in May and considering he was stone last turning for home and was racing over an inadequate trip, his winning effort deserved even more praise.
Upped to 1m5f at Ballinrobe next time, the four-year-old was noted travelling well rounding the home bend, but unfortunately from that juncture, he got blocked in at a crucial stage and by the time he extricated himself from the pocket, the winner just obtained first run.
Prominent in the market for a premier handicap on Champions weekend here a month ago, a race that was no doubt part of his agenda, he ran way better than the bare result suggests, running in strongly over towards the unfavoured far side rail to finish a close-up sixth
Returning to the Dublin venue with conditions far more suitable than what they would have been had he been allowed to take his chance in the Irish Cesarewitch, this improving stayer can make a bigger impact with a more proactive ride.
TRUTH BE TOLD – 1-point each-way@11-2 (five places)