Irish Racing Highlights: Tipperary and Fairyhouse meetings analysed

005 Irish Racing / Editor / 19 July 2008 / Leave a Comment

Darren Skelton takes a look ahead to the best bets on an action-packed weekend of Flat and National Hunt action in the Emerald Isle.

Another weekend, another roll of the weather roulette wheel...let's hope for everyone's sake that we land on some sunshine this time around. Tipperary and Fairyhouse take up hosting duties this weekend for what will hopefully be exciting - and profitable - two days racing.

Tipperary kicks off at 6pm on Saturday evening with the Castlepark Stud Maiden - a race that might not be everyone's cup of tea. Maidens tend to make fools of us all, mainly because we watch a horse fly home like a bolt of lightening to grab third, throw him in our notebooks, and then watch him do the exact same thing next time out. It's hard to tell how and also how fast a horse will progress from race to race so these are invariably minefields....juveniles and horses who just don't know how to win, no matter how hard they try!

But if you really want to get involved I can tell you who I think should win the first on Tipperary's seven race card. The fact that my girlfriend is called Ash has nothing to do with my selecting Invincible Ash (I swear). This horse ran a hugely promising race behind two likable types last time and the drop back to five furlongs could be the final piece of the puzzle. We're in dangerous territory backing in maidens but I think Invincible Ash will get us off to a flyer.

The Tipperary card is dominated by the jumps and the 7pm Handicap Chase is probably the highlight of the card and Lukie Victor could be the bet of the meeting. He strode very well through beginner and Novices' company and although he made a pig's ear of the last fence 87 days ago he still managed to get within a length of the winner to show that he has an attitude to match his ability.

The opposition is a bit of a motley crew with the frustrating but talented O'Muircheartaigh leading the challenge. This horse - I'm not spelling him out again - is a perfect example of the horse that wins when no one expects him to and loses when the money's down. Lukie Victor should make the next step up in his chasing career tonight - My advice would be to get on Betfair early and take [3.0] or better because I can see him being heavily supported pre-race in the ring.

Sunday

Tipperary and Fairyhouse provide the winners for us on Sunday. We'll have a look at the most valuable races on the card as well as one sneaky horse who might do us a turn at a fancy price.

The Belgrave Stakes at the County Meath track is not a bad little race for a Sunday afternoon and I'm sorry to do this again...but I really like the probable favourite for this. Rock Moss danced all over a bunch of handicappers last time and the style of his win suggested that he could take a race like this. I'm not usually one for following handicap horses up the next step of the ladder but apparently Mr. Bolger thinks a lot of this horse and it would be no surprise to see him take down this kitty. I expect Bruges and Contest to provide stiff opposition, especially if the first named attracts any money but it would be folly to under estimate the authority of Rock Moss's last win even with this harder task.

Over at Tipperary meanwhile it's great to see graded jumps action in the summer. It fills a want in me that's usually void until the winter. This horse also features a lovely little horse by the name of Megan's Joy. This mare won five in a row for Colm Murphy last year and she should have suitable conditions today. After a spin on the Dundalk all-weather track she might be primed for action today but that was 94 days ago and my suspicion is that not everything is going to plan with this promising six year-old. If Ruby can keep Heavenly Blues in a stalking rather than watching position (nothing more annoying than watching your horse at the back of the field and staying there) then I think he can take this prize at a rather un-Ruby-like price.

The top two in the market, Kalderon and Salford City deserve their places at the head of the weights and probably betting too, but this is a step up and the weight could well be a stopper. Besides, I can't go for another favourite now can I?!

Outside bet of the weekend: Sinsational - Fairyhouse, 16:35, Sunday

I'm hoping this horse will go off at double figures - I don't expect there to be much fluctuation in his price so you probably won't have to rush to get value but it may be worth keeping an eye on Betfair from lunchtime onwards, if the price remains stagnant, then wait until just before the off to place your few quid on. This horse only won a claimer last time but showed a very willing attitude to get his head in front. I'd prefer to see him stay at a mile but I'm confident that he is a horse on the upgrade and can get involved in the finish at a nice price.