Meeting review 08 August 2007

Sligo, Wednesday 8^th August

Positives: Rainbow Dash was a massive disappointment in the 2m Handicap Hurdle won by Tai Lass but the 8yo could well be worth another chance in similar company as he had a valid excuse, finishing the race lame. The form of his Galway win has worked out very well and considering he only got 7lbs for the win and is unexposed over hurdles, he can win again if given time to recover from his injury. Another Tom McCourt charge made her debut over hurdles, but if Grantsville is to win the coming months it will surely be on the level. The mare ran a good race in fourth, travelling well but not getting home which came as no surprise given her recent runs on the flat. She doesn’t see out a mile and a half but is well up to winning if dropped back to 10f, especially on her favoured fast ground. By far her best effort in Ireland so far came in those conditions, when third to the progressive Aqraan in the Ulster Oaks.

Negatives: 7/4 favourite Willoughby Bay pulled his brains out in first time blinkers in the 2yo Auction maiden and with his yard going 0/25 with juvenile this season he’s going to struggle to win a race. Catskill had managed to fill the runners-up spot on his last 5 starts over hurdles, and the 5yo repeated the dose when chasing home Tai Lass. If Ruby Walsh couldn’t get a tune out of him here, I doubt anyone can and he’s got some serious attitude problems. There’s no doubt that Ferry Point has bags of ability but her running style of going eyeballs out from the front at flag-fall is going to make life very difficult for the bumper winner. Not for the first time, she capitulated tamely when challenged and she really struggles to get home in her races. A bad flat maiden over a shorter trip could be more suitable. At Gowran, Wrong Number lived up to his name by finishing second for the second time in two starts. The Kevin Prendergast-trained colt had seemingly put the race to bed a furlong out but his stride tied up noticeably in the closing stages. Considering he’d had the benefit of a run, the green Ballydoyle horse that beat him should not have done so as easily and Wrong Number could be the type to run up a sequence of second-place finishes.

Pointers: The terrific run of the Paul John Gilligan yard continued at Sligo with Tai Lass providing the trainer with his fifth winner in seven runners. With the stable seemingly capable of doing no wrong, Piano Star would have to be of interest in the Beginners’ Chase at Kilbeggan on Saturday evening. The 7yo seemed to have a race over course and distance at his mercy when taking a crashing fall at the last, and having been given time to recover he should be up to getting off the mark over fences, especially with his main rival being the bridle merchant Articulation. Incline landed the 7f handicap in impressive fashion and is a force to be reckoned with on these stiff right-handed tracks. His record at Galway and Sligo alone reads:24042120111.

Form Lines

            Two form lines that already looked hot have received further boosts in the past weeks. The maiden won by Lisvale at the Curragh, highlighted as a race to follow here on July 7^th could hardly have worked out better with the third and fifth winning subsequently and a few others doing the part for the form. The winner himself won a Tipperary listed race in convincing fashion on Wednesday, confirming himself at a colt of some potential. David Wachman’s colt is among the best juveniles in Ireland, and has the Goffs Million as a long-term target. He certainly won’t be out of place in such a race. The runner-up, Pittori, has yet to run since but it will take a good one to lower his colours while the fourth home Domestic Fund has a chance to make amends for his narrow Galway defeat at Gowran next Wednesday.

Tony Keenan

Last updated: 10 Aug 2007 by Stow judge Contact