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French Company well backed from 12/113.00
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Expect better from Lynam runner
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Alan Dudman tips two at Roscommon on Monday
The number of runners at Roscommon for Monday evening's card gives us large fields for two divisions of the extended 7f Handicap and the 16:55 sees a short price favourite with Play It Again Zaam - who is out quickly after a recent win, but the 6/42.50 price in a field of 14 makes little appeal.
Gosford had the look of a progressive horse at a low level last term when finishing second off 66 at the Curragh in August. Crucially it was good ground on that occasion so it's a repeat of the surface for Monday, which I think he might be able to get away with.
While he seems to like some ease in the ground, that Curragh second gives us hope he'll act fine on today's better ground.
He held some winning form last term at Gowran Park - coming late and getting up by a small margin, and those tactics seem to suit him as he looks a horse that doesn't want to hit the front too soon.
It's his first run of the season and trainer Eddie Lynam is a bit quiet in terms of winners, but the price of 8/19.00 compensates for that and he's well treated off 62.
The 18:55 1m4f Handicap looks more open with nearly a 4/15.00 to the field market and the 12s on French Company looked a little big initialy - although in a flash this morning he was cut from 12/113.00 into 8/19.00.
He won't mind the conditions this evening as he finished third at Tipperary last term on good ground too.
The 6yo is a low grade operator who doesn't win often, but he stays well and is reasonably consistent, and those factors should lend to an each-way play.
Yudish Geerdharry is on board, and has only had three career winners with a 2lb claim, so that is obviously a risk, but the horse's consistency and ability to stay should give us a chance of at least being in the shake-up.
Back Alan's Monday double