Gary O'Brien Sunday Racing Tips: Burning not such an ambitious bet

Gary O'Brien
27 October 2019

It's jump racing all the way in Ireland this afternoon

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Gary O'Brien returns with his weekly look at Sunday's Irish racing action, and today our man is keen on a former Hunter Chaser now trying his hand in handicaps...

"He has also won first time out for the last couple of campaigns and with such good prize money on offer one can reasonably expect trainer Pierce Power to have his star performer as forward as possible for this return to the fray."

Back Burning Ambition to win @ 9/4, 15:45 Wexford (Betfair Sportsbook)

It's national hunt fare all the way in Ireland this afternoon, and with Wexford having passed a morning inspection punters have 14 races to consider.

However It's still very early days in what is often referred to as the jumps season 'proper' and in the circumstances - fitness doubts about a lot of seasonal debutants and testing ground a certainty at both venues - it might be best to tread carefully.

Elliott chasing debutants the stars at Ballybrit

The better quality fare is definitely at Ballybrit, and in particular it will be fascinating to see how Battleoverdoyen fares on his chasing bow in the extended 2m6f beginners event. A Grade 1 winner over hurdles last season just a couple of months after his rules bow, the six year-old disappointed at Cheltenham subsequently but given his physique and point-to-point background this was always more likely to be his calling.

Gordon Elliott stalwart Keith Donoghue has been entrusted with the mount, and a good round of jumping could well secure his place in the hotseat aboard Samcro (he schooled him after racing at Punchestown last week) when the latter makes his own debut over fences at Down Royal on Friday. Stable-companion Galvin is another to keep an eye on as he also embarks on a career over the larger obstacles.

Drop in trip set to suit Ambition

For my money, the most interesting runner at Wexford is Burning Ambition, and while he lacks an outing I'm hoping the smart hunter chase might be able to strike in the €25,000 handicap chase at 15:45.

A late developer who didn't make his debut until he was six, the Scorpion gelding quickly built up a fine winning sequence in point-to-points and became a major fancy for the Foxhunters chase at the 2018 Cheltenham festival. His stamina ultimately seemed to ebb away in tough conditions there, and one could argue he was outstayed by Top Wood in the Aintree version this year after again travelling like a winner for much of the journey. His record in and around today's 2m4f trip is much more convincing and it's interesting to see connections have now decided to try their hand in handicaps.

The assessor hasn't exactly missed Burning Ambition with an opening mark of 135 but regular rider Rob James at least claims a valuable 7lb and he appeals as more likely to give his running than his eight rivals - half of whom were pulled up when last seen. He has also won first time out for the last couple of campaigns and with such good prize money on offer one can reasonably expect trainer Pierce Power to have his star performer as forward as possible for this return to the fray.

Profit/Loss to date to €1 stakes:

+0.10

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Elliott chasing debutants the stars at Ballybrit

Drop in trip set to suit Ambition

Profit/Loss to date to €1 stakes:

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