Elmos Fire to take the rise in weights with ease
Back Elmos Fire @ 4.84/1 in the 18:40 at Roscommon
Australian Angel delivered for a welcome winner yesterday, although Splendent wasn't quite up to his name as he finished second in the 20/1 double. The second 1-2 for the column in the space of a week.
Tuesday's ground at Roscommon had some yielding at the time of writing, and I hope it stays that way for the likeable Elmos Fire following his career best runaway Listowel Maiden win by 3L.
He's another good advert for Ballyhinch resident stallion New Bay, who is getting some fair horses. Not a surprise I guess now his stud fee is up to nearly 40,000 euros.
The 3yo gained his breakthrough win with a pleasing performance - especially with the way he skated around the bend turning for home. His attitude looked solid too as the eventual second came with a challenge but he picked up again with quite an extravagant way of moving.
Elmos Fire finished second with front-running tactics on his previous start, and there's lots of scope in not only going up in distance to 1m2f today, but also from his mark of 77.
I'd like to think he's named after Elmo Putney - one of the great comedy characters from 80s series Brush Strokes, but I suspect it's something slightly more cerebral to do with weather changes.
Keane as mustard on a Meade runner
Back Royal Romeo @ 2.56/4 in the 20:10 at Roscommon
I don't think we'll get too much more juice out of the 6/4 price for Noel Meade's Royal Romeo, and while there are plenty of runners in the 1m4f Maiden to close the card, it looks a race with little depth.
Meade has increasingly turned to the Flat much like Alan King has in the last few years, and I like the idea of Royal Romeo switching from bumpers to the level.
Indeed, that bumper form is worth a mention as he ran second to the next big thing American Mike. He may have been beaten by 7L, but he travelled well and didn't look short of pace. Not as fast as Alfie Tupper, but he isn't slow.
He then dead-heated on his subsequent start with a previous 12L PTP winner, although the style was in contrast to his debut as he hit 80.079/1 in the run and had to work. His trainer stated that he could be the type that doesn't want to hit the front too soon, but he has fair ability.
The pedigree is a fascinating one too; out of the Godolphin great Mamool and a dam called Mariah Mooney - who is by the legendary biter Moonax.
Champion jockey Colin Keane rides and has a healthy near-20% strike-rate in the last five seasons.
June single bet winners
Prince Dundee 5/2 Won
Blackrod 8/1 Placed
Royal Scotsman 9/1 Placed
Mooneista 10/1 Placed
Zaccerela 15/2 Placed
One World 3/1 Won
All Lies Ahead 7/1 Placed
Magical Morning 5/1 Won
Palm Lily 9/4 Won
May single bet winners
Australian Angel 4/1 Won
Sole Pretender Evens Won
Clear The Runway 6/4 Won
Rich Belief 3/1 Won
Exit To Where 9/4 Won
Boardman 9/4 Won
Sea La Rosa 11/4 Won
Quickthorn 4/1 Won
Alpine Sierra 15/8 Won
Secret Shadow 9/2 Placed
Mooneista 13/2 Placed
Lionel 3/1 Won
Sea Silk Road 13/8 Won
Johnston's Blue 11/4 Won
Haarar 9/2 Won
Lariat 6/1 Placed
Haizoom 10/1 Won and Placed
Sea Silk Road 8/1 Won
Brotherly Company 17/2 Won