Andy Holding has some strong fancies at Thurles and over at Meydan today.
12.10 Thurles
Supporters of 1/3 favourite Coquin Mans are still receiving counselling after SURF INSTRUCTOR (best price 3-1) had given them heart failures at Limerick last time out and Henry de Bromhead’s charge looks set to provide the Willie Mullins team with another uncomfortable watch in this opening maiden hurdle. Stepping up markedly from his no-show first time out, the son of Stowaway was clearly a different proposition under testing conditions and with the form of that race at the Co Limerick track boosted by third-placed Indian Monsson winning next time out, it wouldn’t come as the biggest shock in the world if this chasing-type were to follow suit.
1.10 Thurles
Willie Mullins looks to have a strong hand in this smart novices’ hurdle, but despite the market pointing towards the obvious claims of Battleford, SOME NECK (best price 6-1) can ensure the battle for supremacy at the Co Carlow barn isn’t as clear-cut as the betting suggests. Disappointing when beaten at a short price on his seasonal return, the Yeats gelding made up for that sluggish performance in no uncertain terms by landing a maiden hurdle with some aplomb at Limerick last time out. Always travelling well for Patrick Mullins, the six-year-old grey readily pulled clear in the closing stages by account for subsequent winner Moores Road, and with the time figure suggesting it was a better performance than at first glance, he rates the value pick in an intriguing contest.
2.30 Meydan
MUHTARIM (best price 4-1) endured what many horses have done so far this carnival last time out, seeing the backside of dirt monster North America, but without an opponent of that magnitude in today’s field, Mohamed Al Mahairi’s inmate can get back on the winning track. Prior to that creditable performance 21 days ago, the Shamardal gelding was a game winner over today’s C&D and providing he can hold his position around the inside from the potentially favoured one box, he should be bang in the thick of the action.
3.25 Thurles
GLEN ODE (NAP) (best price 11-2) shaped with plenty of promise over an inadequate trip at Punchestown last time out and he’s fancied to build on that performance returning to a track where he’s gone well in the past. Badly in need of the run at Clonmel on his first start for 665 days, John Walsh’s charge found the necessary improvement by finishing a creditable third in a useful 2m handicap run at a sound pace, and having scored over today’s course this time last year over 3m, a step up in trip should ensure the son of Saddler’s Hall is competitive against this sort of opposition.
4.50 Meydan
Flash Fire clocked an impressive overall speed figure when scoring over today’s C&D 21 days ago, but on the same card, CHAMPIONSHIP (best price 5-1) also chipped in nicely with his set of numbers and he simply has to be the value each-way pick at the prices. Having cut out the running at even fractions over 1m 1f, the son of Exceed and Excel still posted a smart 34.3 for the last three furlongs and although he succumbed to the late thrust of Light The Lights, he still recorded marginally quicker sectionals than Flash Fire, who ran 34.7 for the last portion of his race.
