Sligo Betting: Thursday's card previewed in full

005 Irish Racing / Wayne Bailey / 07 August 2008 / Leave a Comment

Wayne Bailey has bets for (almost) all the racing on the second day at Sligo.

It was a difficult evening at Sligo last night with just one winner, but the recommended bets at Gowran just about kept the bank in the black. Again, it's a tricky card at Sligo tonight, but there are a few backs and lays that seem like reasonable value...


5:10 - Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Fillies Maiden (3yo) £6,605.15 - 1m2f

Ger Lyons' Ashka looks the obvious choice to kick things off this evening. She performed reasonably well in a couple of handicaps, and has the experience to finally lose her maiden tag. Dermot Weld will have his supporters and Diamond Star may well go off favourite, however, it's Yummy Mummy that worryies me most - a promising filly that should get better with more races.

Advice: Back Ashka.

5:40 - Derrinstown Stud Apprentice Handicap (4yo+,50-70) £5,588.97 - 1m4f

A difficult lower class handicap and I've decided to sit this one out. If a gun were put to my head, I'd say that Tin Town Boy is good enough to handle the weight, but this is a race best watched.

Advice: No Bet.

6:10 - Sligo Park Hotel Handicap (3yo,45-65) £5,588.97 - 1m4f

I'm keen to lay Grove View Star if he's priced [5.0] or less. His career best was third in a similar level at Fairyhouse in June, and I believe he's running off too high a mark here. Instead, I like the look of Western Winner. She had a poor season last year, but since returning as a three-year-old, she's shown plenty of promise, and may go off at a decent price.

Advice: Back Western Winner, and lay Grove View Star

6:45 - John Perry Race (3yo+) £5,588.97 - 1m2f

The talk of the town is Ballyhaunis, and Mullins' Curragh winner certainly looks a classy sort. While he had big claims, I've a feeling this horse is getting over-hyped and will oppose him purely from a price point of view. If I were looking to back him, I'd want [2.2] at least, so at around evens, I'm happy to lay. Theocritus is making a name for himself in Dermot Weld's yard, and can definitely give the favourite a run for his money.

Advice: Back Theocritus, and lay Ballyhaunis if priced [2.0] or less.

7:20 - Martin Reilly BMW Dealer Novice Hurdle (4yo+) £6,859.19 - 2m4f

I'm going to forgive Covie Lad's fall at Galway as there's definitely a win in him soon. He won a maiden hurdle previous, and looks like a horse for the notebook. CD winner Ilikeyou seems overpriced considering her good form this season, and I'll keep her on my side in the place market.

Advice: Back Covie Lad to win market, and Ilikeyou to place.

7:50 - Leo McMorrow Memorial Handicap Hurdle (4yo+,77-90) £4,826.84 - 2m

Shaantina went off un-fancied in a similar race at Wexford recently, but she showed plenty of spirit when battling away and claiming second place. This race looks wide open, so I'm keeping stakes to a minimum in the win and place markets.

Advice: Back Shaantina to win and place (small stakes).

8:20 - Tuesday 26th August at Sligo INH Flat Race (4-7yo) £4,318.75 - 2m

Normally, I wouldn't be hugely keen to get involved in the bumper at the end of the day, but Pass The Vodka ran a strong race at Galway, and may show improvement on that run.

Advice: Back Pass The Vodka.