Liam Firkin's Tracking Corner is back with four horses to note from last week's racing action.
Liam Firkin's Tracking Corner
Horse 1: Caman Rocco
Trainer: Gavin Cromwell
Notes: This filly ran in her first handicap hurdle on Tuesday at Clonmel and was in the second segment of horses in that race but made good headway under Eoin Staples claiming 7lbs. She ran in snatches during parts of the race and everything about the performance would suggest that she enjoyed the more testing conditions and would appreciate a step up in trip. She could well be one for next time out where she’ll be seen for the second time in handicap company and one that caught the eye and goes straight into my tracker.
When is she a bet: When up in trip and potentially on more testing ground. She would be very interesting if pitched into a handicap up against her own sex.
Horse 2: Sense Of Occasion
Trainer: Henry De Bromhead
Notes: One for JP McManus who ran at Navan on Saturday and will certainly be on my radar moving forward. Initially, he lined up to the outside and was relatively keen throughout the early stages of the race seemingly wanting to go a quicker pace than Mark Walsh would allow him to do so. He was switched inside and in behind the leaders in an attempt to get him some cover and have him settle into the race a bit better but that will have also played into the strategy of “not too close Mark”.
He stayed on strongly through the race and to my eye, he was full of running right through to the finish.
When is he a bet: That was his first appearance on a racecourse under rules and when stepped up in trip over an intermediate to staying distance then he could well be a bet.
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Horse 3: Genepi George
Trainer: Martin Lynch
Notes: The maiden hurdle that directly followed the race that has already been mentioned above was again the first outing over hurdles for Genepi George and my eye was drawn to him as Sean Flannagan made a mid race move on his ride and the horse responded in kind. He starts to pass horses, seemingly with ease just before they turned for home. That exertion of energy certainly took its toll at the finish but yet Genepi George continue to stay on well to finish fifth of the twenty six runners. I think he’s more than capable of winning some low class handicaps in Ireland and will be interesting in a further two races time and once the handicapper has allocated a mark.
When is he a bet: Low class handicaps and the next couple of outings will paint a clearly picture of the idea trip but the intermediate distance would be where I currently feel he’ll be seen to best effect.
Horse 4: Gillane
Trainer: Willie Mullins
Notes: The fact that this horse has moved to Closutton is very interesting in itself. A horse that had caught my eye when previously running over hurdles but was reverted back to bumpers on Saturday and I can’t help but think that Patrick Mullins may be feeling as if a winner has got away here. He finished with a wet sail, passing horses with ease but ultimately coming up short and finishing second. Had he been much closer to the pace than he may well have gone one better. Tipped by myself at 14/1 and he saw plenty of support having been backed into 5/1 by the off. He will be interesting if running again on the flat or if going back over obstacles. A winner in waiting.
When is he a bet: He could go close again in a Bumper but I would be paying close attention to all entries for him.
