005 Irish Racing / Editor / 18 July 2008 / Leave a Comment

Wayne Bailey's thoughts on each contest, as racing returns to the Westmeath venue.

5:50 - Dunvale Fabrications Limited Maiden Hurdle (4-5yo)

A tricky maiden hurdle and one I won't be spending big bucks on. Galilean has been switched back and forth from flat to jumps and didn't look like winning when falling in his last jump race back in September last year. He was disappointing when racing on the flat last month, and I'll take him on if he's [5.0] or less. Tony Martin's Thiazi has been improving lately, and gets a token vote to be placed at a decent price.

Recommendation:

• Lay Galilean if priced [5.0] or less
• Back Thiazi in the place market

6:20 Tom McCormack Memorial Cup Maiden Hurdle (5yo+)

He ran a bit keen last time out, but The Boxer Coffey has been knocking on the door for some time, and he can put things right today. The noises from Willie Mullins' yard are all positive, and any price over [3.5] would be about right. Miley Byrne was disappointing at Cork back in April, but I'm allowing him to have an off day, and I believe he can be placed if returning to form.

Recommendation:

• Back The Boxer Coffey
• Back Miley Byrne in the place market

6:50 Tommy Scanlon Bar & Restaurant Handicap Hurdle (4yo+,81-102)

With 11st 5lbs, I think the handicapper has called it wrong with Third Level Tom. He's very consistent, and has kept up his good form over the past few months. If anything, he appears to be getting better this season, and I'd be very surprised if he's not placed at the very least, with what I believe is a low mark. Dulgodti Bob will go close, but the burden of top weight may be enough to take the wind out of his sails in the final furlong or so.

Recommendation:

• Back Third Level Tom
• Lay Dulgodti Bob

7:20 Colm Quinn BMW Handicap Hurdle (4yo+,81-116)

Mhilu made no impression in a similar contest at Punchestown in May, and I'm surprised to see some early support. Cheek pieces didn't do much that day, and Gordon Elliot is going to try out blinkers for the first time here. He's also high up in the weights, and I'm keen to take him on, as I don't think he's shown enough to make the places. Market Watcher went close when second to Connemara Rose at Wexford recently, and the handicapper hasn't been too heavy handed ensuring he should be in contention.

Recommendation:

• Back Market Watcher in the place market
• Lay Mhilu in the place market

7:55 Ladbrokes Midlands National Handicap Chase

The main race of the evening, and despite carrying the biggest weight burden, Dix Villez is still the one to beat. He showed how tough he was when coming third over the difficult banks course at the Punchestown festival, and this contest looks considerably easier. For those looking for an outside bet, both Litron and War Of The World look overpriced. The former showed some stamina in the final stages to come fourth at Down Royal in June while the latter is fairly consistent and rarely out of the placings.

Recommendation:

• Back Dix Villez to win
• Back Litron and War Of The World in the place market

8:25 Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Beginners Chase

Front Man has taken well to chasing, and looked very promising in his two starts over the bigger obstacles earlier this year. I hate to use this hackneyed phrase, but I'm sure he's 'come on for the run'. Oulart used to be a decent gelding and I've been disappointed to see him go downhill. While I won't have a bet, I'd like to see him to come back to some sort of form and claim a place.

Recommendation:

• Back Front Man

8:55 Mullingar INH Flat Race (5-7yo)

There's not a lot to go on here, so stakes should be kept to a minimum. Flying Diamond seems overpriced considering she's been making a bit of an impression on the point-to-point scene in recent times. Charlie Swan's Derinlaur should come in for some support, but I'm always keen to take on hyped up horses, especially in the last race of the day!

Recommendation:

• Back Flying Diamond
• Lay Derinlaur

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