Tipping / Wayne Bailey / 29 April 2009 / Leave a comment Free £25 Bet

Wayne Bailey looks at Thursday's card where Fiveforthree is attracting the early money for the World Series Hurdle. Meanwhile, Enda Bolger will attempt to win the La Touch Cup for the tenth time in eleven years with Garde Champetre...

We kick off day three with the AON Insurances Hurdle at 3.45, and I'm quite keen on Nicky Henderson's Ainama with Tony McCoy on board. He was somewhat disappointing in the Supreme Novices' at Cheltenham, but in fairness, he was too keen early on and ran out of steam coming up the hill. If McCoy can keep him settled here, he may just have enough in the tank to see off Uimhiraceathair. That said, I'll actually keep Uimhiraceathair on my side in the place market as he rarely runs a bad race and the word on the street is that he came out of Fairyhouse in great form.

The entries for the 4.20 Irish Sun Handicap Chase are a motley crew of old-times, a few improvers, and one or two no-hopers! I'm interested in watching how Wheels Up performs at the bottom of the weights and he may be getting off lightly so to speak, but it's a race best watched and I won't be having a punt.

Next up, we've the La Touche Cup at 4.55 and it's a race that Enda Bolger has won an incredible ten times in eleven years. He missed out last year when an outsider Oh Jackie spoiled the party, but he has three entered in 2009 and should be able to re-claim his crown. The best of his trio is cross-country specialist Garde Champetre, who will be completely at home in this contest with Nina on board, and early quotes of [3.0] look good to me.

The Grade One Ladbrokes.com World Series Hurdle at 5.30 is a tricky one this year and once again I think I'll take a watching brief. My all-time favourite horse Brave Inca has an entry, and while he has a chance of a place, it's unrealistic to think he'll win considering his Cheltenham performance. Willie Mullins' Fiveforthree is attracting the early money and looks the best on paper, but I wouldn't rule out Powerstation or Fair Along, so a short price makes little appeal. In short, I don't think it's a good race for betting purposes.

We've a massive field going to post for the Naas Court Hotel Handicap Hurdle at 6.05 and a good case could be made for at least eight runners. Out of those, I think the handicapper has called it wrong on Mustangsallyrally and the eight-year-old may be getting away easily in the weights. I'm not hugely confident but the price looks good so I'll just have a half point win, and half point place bet in this one.

I've often spoke of Paul Nicholls' fantastic record when sending horses to Ireland and Tatenen should have what it takes to win the Grade One Cathal Ryan Memorial Novice Chase at 6.40. He fell early on in the Arkle at Cheltenham, and the winner of that race Forpadydeplasterer will probably go off as favourite here. It's interesting to see that Ruby has opted for Willie Mullins' Deutschland ahead Tatenen, and Nicholls has now given the ride to Tony McCoy which should prove interesting. I'll admit that Tatenen has had some disappointing runs this season but he's far from finished and early quotes of [4.5] are just a little too high.

The Orbis (Pro/Am) (F & G) INH Flat Race completes the card at 7.15 and I'm hoping for a big run from Quel Esprit. He was fourth to Dunguib at Cheltenham, and that horse has now emulated Cousin Vinny by completing the bumper double at Punchestown on Wednesday. The opposition won't be as tough today and Quel Esprit should be able to send punters home smiling.

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