Four each-way fancies from Ireland this afternoon.
12.35 Limerick
RIDERS ON THE STORM (best price 9-2) shaped better than the bear result suggests at Navan last time out and with that outing likely to have done him good both mentally and physically, he’s fancied to put up a bold show in this weaker-looking affair. In what turned out to be a strongly run affair at the Co Kildare venue, Tom Taaffe’s charge loomed up looking a big threat in between the last two flights, but as lack of an outing kicked in after the final hurdle (hopefully that was the case), he faded tamely into fifth. That said, the winner looked smart and it appeared an above-average heat based on the speed figures (fourth ran well in the opener at Leopardstown on Boxing Day), so he must be given another chance to confirm the promise he displayed.
12.50 Leopardstown
It’s probably not a wise idea trying to second guess what many of these are likely to be doing in this qualifier for the Pertemps Final, but hopefully GLENLOE (best price 9-1) will be allowed to run on his merits, as he looks to have a decent chance of ending a frustrating run of seconditus. His first runner-up slot came when he chased home the useful Oscar Knight in a well-run affair at Navan on his seasonal reappearance and he repeated the dose when finding Red Devil Lads too strong for him the closing stages last time out. Hopefully, today’s better ground and longer trip suit and he can justify each-way support.
13.50 Leopardstown
Trainer Johnny Burke caused one of the biggest shocks in racing history when his Killahara Castle scored at an eye-popping 200-1 at Thurles recently, and there’s a decent chance that his good fortunes will continue when he sends LIKE AN OPEN BOOK (NAP) (best price 15-2) to post fit and fancied off the back of a smooth success at the same track last time out. Despite head-butting the second last at the Co Tipperary venue, the Well Chosen impressed by the way she quickly snapped back onto the bridle – confirming she had plenty left under the bonnet – and with a much better jump at the final flight, she bounded clear up the hill for a comfortable success. Although creeping up the handicap and against better opposition today, the seven-year-old has always left the impression she has the sort of qualities that would inevitably carry her up the ranks and with her main weapons being her ability to travel and quicken, she has brighter prospects than her morning odds imply.
15.00 Leopardstown
Outside the Gold Cup itself, about as good a 3m Grade 1 Chase as you will see and with Yorkhill in the line-up to spice up the race even further, hopefully it will live up to expectations. As we know, anything can happen in these sort of contests, as having the rub of the green and getting into a good rhythm is crucial, so sometimes looking outside the box for a little bit of value isn’t the worst approach. Of those at double-figure odds, ROAD TO RESPECT (best price 12-1) has totally earned the right to dine at the top table and now that he’s proven that he stays three miles well, he makes plenty of appeal at the prices. A victory over Yorkhill at Punchestown last season– albeit slightly fortuitously – rubber-stamped Noel Meade’s charge as a genuine Grade 1 horse and he’s gone on to cement that view with another decent effort against Outlander in the JNwine.com Champion Chase at Down Royal on his latest start. With connections feeling that he slight did too much too early at the Co Down venue, the hood has gone on today to help settle the six-year-old in the early stages and having run well on both his previous visits to today’s track, the son of Gamut will hopefull be good enough to hit the frame at the very least.
