Events / Wayne Bailey / 31 January 2008 /

Wayne Bailey goes through today's hurdles card...

The spoilsport that is the Irish weather has struck once again, and Thurles racecourse decided to abandon its chase races today in the interest of jockey and horse safety. Excluding the two bumpers, we now have an all hurdle card, which, fingers crossed will survive the early inspection.

With all the hype concerning recent Cheltenham trials, today's card looks somewhat mediocre. That's not to say however, there are no good betting opportunities to be had. Indeed, sometimes we can get so caught up in the Festival build-up that we ignore the day-to-day, bread and butter meetings that keep the calendar going.

Hopefully, there's one or two little earners tucked away today that can top up our festival betting pot...

14:15 - Ballynonty Maiden Hurdle (Div I)
Like most maiden hurdles, there's not a lot to go on here and punters are sure to latch on to the horse with the most form, Jimmy Ber. It's fair to say he looks set to break his maiden tag soon, but his current price of [2.64] is too short for me, and I'm keen to take him on with Mullins' November Glory. While that horse is unexposed, the Willie Mullins/Ruby Walsh combination is a force to be reckoned with in hurdles here (30% strike rate). In this same race last year, the Mullins/Walsh team found the winners enclosure with Ebaziyan, who went on to land the Supreme Novices Hurdle at 40/1! A large field should ensure some decent place value on the side.

14:35 - Ballynonty Maiden Hurdle (Div II)
In the second division of the maiden hurdle, Surenaga ticks the boxes for me. I was lucky enough to witness a cracking performance by Burke's six-year-old at a point-to-point in Cork late last year, and the ground shouldn't prove a problem. He always puts up a good fight, and the current price of [4.0] looks generous indeed. King Troy is the obvious danger, but he couldn't keep the pace last time out at Punchestown and I've a sneaky feeling he may struggle in the final furlong again today. Lavender Lily was another decent horse on the point-to-point scene and she may find herself thereabouts.

15:05 - Littleton Handicap Hurdle
Course and distance winner Kashnito D´Hommee looks set to go off as favourite, but he simply hasn't capitalised on his win here back in November, and is far too inconsistent for me. Rebel Run has been creeping up the ratings and makes more appeal carrying 11lb 5, which he should easily manage. His trainer Burke has a healthy record in hurdles here (25%), and his price looks set to be in double figures, which is a bit on the high side. A definite lay for me is Killeroran Kash, who has been in steady decline since he beat Wheresben at Galway back in October. Also, Jockey Robbie Power has had no hurdle wins here in 27 races, which hardly inspires confidence.

15:35 - Tipperary (Ladies Riders Handicap Hurdle)
At the risk of sounding sexist, I won't bother getting too involved in the lady riders race! Nothing to do with the fine Irish lassies mind you! There's not a lot to go on and most horses here have done little to impress. If a gun was put to my head, I'd side with Private Lives, if only for Nina Carberry's healthy strike rate at Thurles (25%).

16:05 - thurlesraces.ie INH Flat Race (Div I)
I'm putting my faith once again in a Willie Mullins horse, and hope that Definitive Edge can add to the trainer's 33% strike rate in Thurles bumpers. Red Seven shouldn't be ruled out however, and Nina Carberry is becoming legendary in Ireland for her bumper skills. It's fair to say that it's not the most competitive race, so stakes should be kept to a minimum.

16:35 - thurlesraces.ie INH Flat Race (Div II)
The second part of the bumper looks another difficult puzzle with not a lot of form to go on. I've heard a few whispers that Blame The Missus has been working well at home, but he still has to compete with stablemate Cousin Vinny who may go off as favourite should any significant money come in. The sensible option would be to dutch the two. Meanwhile, Ten Fires and Polly Mansini should be fighting for some place money.

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