Irish Racing Preview - Cork & Tramore Previews, Friday 12th September

005 Irish Racing / Johnny Ward / 12 September 2008 / Leave a Comment

They race in Cork and Tramore in Ireland on Friday, and - despite the glut of recent cancellations - the ground is not too testing at either venue. Johnny Ward looks at the best of the action.

The best bet of the night could be in the opener at Cork. In the Newmarket Maiden, Scarlet O'Hara looks to have plenty going for her. The daughter of Sadler's Wells finished second on her debut at The Curragh and there is not much strength-in-depth in this race. John Oxx's Soul Murmur does not seem to be improving and is rated 79: it will be very disappointing if Scarlet O'Hara can not run up to a mark higher than that here.

The Navigation Road Rated Race is very trappy on the basis of official ratings, with little to separate the runners. Unhinged at [7.0] is a hopeful choice, having done it well at The Curragh on similar ground last time. John Coleman's charge has a seven-pound claimer booked to offset top weight and Unhinged is one of the more solid runners in a tight event.

The Dromahane Handicap is divided into two and it is no surprise that Vital Plot is popular in the closing race. Dermot Weld's son of Theatrical has been very impressive in a fledgling hurdling career, but evens looks a short price and he can be laid at that. Vital Plot's flat form is only fair and there is no guarantee that his improvement over hurdles will be paralleled on the level. This is also a reasonable race in terms of standard and he is not a pragmatic bet at [2.0].

Weld also has strong prospects in the shape of Almolahek in the first division, but it is quite a tricky race and the advice is to keep the powder dry.

The ground is soft for a difficult enough mixed card at Tramore, the feature of which is the Madra Dog Foods Handicap. Marseillais is certainly not entirely reliable, but he has talent and if he consents to do so here Edward O'Grady's gelding can make all. Fran Berry is a good booking and this track will suit a front-runner. The rest of the field have various negatives against them. You should be able to trade out of Marseillais at an early stage in the race if needs be.

The R. McDonald & Sons Handicap looks open enough. Moonlight Sapphire is a hopeful choice, making her handicap debut and certainly having the potential to progress. She is also a front-running type and could provide Fran Berry with another winner on the night. The High Chaparral-bred is no star but minimal improvement from her maiden form may suffice.

The Waterford & Tramore Supporters Club (Q.R.) Maiden is notable for the return of Sweet Kiln, who presumably has this race as a stepping stone for her jumps campaign. However, it would not be like the Bowes to have her well short of fitness and at [3.3] she is worth a speculative bet, as she is clearly the best horse in the race. Teach Nua has disappointed a little and it would be no surprise to see Sweet Kiln win this handily - assuming she is close enough to full fitness.

Finally, the Tote Price Promise Mares Handicap Hurdle is minus An Cailin Coole but is not a bad race of its type. Diyla at [10.0] looks a fair each-way price and the track will suit this former 10f maiden winner.