Wednesday February 7th

Review 

Drumacoo did everything but win at Fairyhouse, this afternoon…

Coming to the last, he was a length clear of Westerner Point and seemingly going the better.

However, he then put in a slow leap – whilst Westerner Point was much quicker.

As a result he started up the run in a couple of lengths down.

He ran on really strongly – but had just got a bit too much to do – and failed by a nose to get up…

Fine lines and all that…

Earlier in the afternoon, Smokey Joe Joe looked like winning – but was caught close home by Graineyhill.

At least he should have rewarded anyone who played him in running (his BSP was 8 – and he touched 1.34).

Apparition was relatively weak in the market for the 2:45 race and never really featured.

I’m not sure what was going on there, to be honest…

Lunchtime Update

The meetings at Ludlow and Fakenham, have gone the same way as the one at Carlisle - meaning that the only NH racing today, takes place at Fairyhouse…

In fairness, my strongest fancy on the day was always at Fairyhouse, in the shape of  Drumacoo – though he has been backed since last night…

11/4 then has become 9/4 now – and that’s right on the cusp of what I would consider ‘value’.

I’ve no doubt that he could beat todays rivals – but he’s a fragile horse, so you can’t be sure that he’ll be tuned up to do so (though Barry Geraghty in the saddle, is a positive indicator).

I’ve backed him at 5/2 – but I’d not prepared to chase him down any further than that…

I had a bit more of a look at the other races on the card, but little else caught my eye.

In the 2:45, I quite like the look of apparition; whilst in the 3:20, I think Smokey Joe Joe will make a good pre-race back to lay in running (as he travels strongly).

Drumacoo was obviously the only one under consideration for the Lunchtime Nap – but he’s not really got the profile I would go looking for, so I’m not going to put him up.

It looks as if things could take a significant upward turn tomorrow, with decent looking cards at Huntington and Doncaster – so hopefully I’ll be able to find one to get the Lunchtime Naps rolling again…

  

Evening Preview 

There are 3 NH meetings scheduled for tomorrow: at Ludlow and Fakenham in the UK – plus Fairyhouse in Ireland.

Though whether all 3 will actually take place, is a different matter…

The weather continues to wreak havoc with both the fixture list – and field sizes, when the racing is on.

As a consequence, I’m disinclined to spend too long looking at the mid week racing, as it tends to feel as if it’s going to be a waste of time !

That said, if Ludlow is on tomorrow, then there and a couple of reasonable races on the card…

The first is the mares handicap hurdle at 2:40 – and it’s attracted a really strong looking field (for the grade).

Most of the runners can be given a chance of some sort – so it’s not one to be going mad on.

I quite like the look of Brillare Momento, who is having her first run following a wind op.

She has travelled nicely in her 2 most recent races, before cutting out – so a breathing operation, would seem to make sense.

Certainly she looked very useful prior to her last 2 runs – so if it has done the trick, I would expect her to go close.

Unfortunately, the angle has already been picked up on – and she’s now a best price of 7/1.

Considering the risks – and the opposition – I wouldn’t want to go any lower than that…

Dallas Cowboy is the one of major interest in the following race, at 3:15.

He’s been sent over from Ireland by Tony Martin and is the only ride on the card for Donagh Myler.

His form definitely gives him a chance – but it’s the ‘subtle signs’ that generate the real appeal.

The expectation is always that Martin’s horses will be backed – and heavily so – if they are going to win.

However, my experience is that he’s very clever at getting the money on…

If the horse is backed at any point from 9:00 onwards (he’s an 8/1 shot this evening), I’ll be interested – even if it’s a late drifter !!

Ignoring Dallas Cowboy, then Midnight Target looks the best handicapped horse in the race: though I wouldn’t be surprised to see a big run from Azzuri – particularly if there’s money for him (he has dropped to a mark that should be able to win from).

I tend to leave the midweek Irish racing alone (aside from the occasional big meetings) – but the Fairyhouse card doesn’t looks quite good.

I wouldn’t want to commit on too many of the races, without seeing how the market moves – but I’m prepared to offer an opinion on the 3:50.

I was a fan of Drumacoo when he was trained in England by Ben Pauling – and he ran a very nice race on his first run back with Michael Hourigan (he trained him before he went Pauling).

That was over hurdles in a decent contest at Navan in December.

Barry Geraghty was on board that day and he retains the ride tomorrow – his only ride of the day…

Based on official ratings, it looks a 4 horse  race – but I suspect that Drumacoo is a fair bit better than his official rating.

I’d be happy enough with the 11/4 on offer this evening…