Sunday's Meetings Fontwell N/H 7 Races 2:00-5:00p.m. Naas N/H 8 Races 1:50-5:20p.m. Hereford N/H 7 Races 2:10-5:10p.m. Racecards At The Races Sporting Life Racing Post Good Luck
19 runners go to post for the final Pertemps Qualifier with the last 4 qualification slots up for grabs. Here a list of the runners who also hold an entry in the final together with their current Irish ratings (of course the British Handicapper will alot ratings for Irish horses for the Final): Lucky Lyreen (132) Patter Merchant (131) Harsh (124) Maxi Mac Gold (124) Will The Wise (123) Bridie's Beau (118) Cato's Revenge (118) Heliko Conti (115) Jacovec Cavern (115) The first 3 in that list are all trained by Gordon Elliott and all have claimers riding - looks like nothing is being left to chance. Lucky Lyreen and Patter Merchant finished 6th and 5th respectively in a Class 1 handicap hurdle over 3 miles at the DRF and both ought to be capable of qualifying if running to that level of form. Harsh had a go in the Exeter qualifier but finished stone last and looked a non-stayer. Maxi Mac Gold (Paul Nolan, only 8th in Leopardstown qualifier over Christmas) and Will The Wise (Gavin Cromwell, handicap debut and yet to run over 3 miles) come from shrewd yards but look up against it on paper and I think the other 4 are too lowly rated to get into the final, one of them would have to romp home in this race to have a chance of getting onto the final. Last chance saloon to get a horse qualified for the final and Lucky Lyreen and Patter Merchant look the most likely but something down the bottom of the handicap will likely win this. Two of the others with final entries, Paul Nolan's other runner, Heliko Conti (seemed to relish the step up to 3 miles last time and was doing his best work at the finish) and Gavin Cromwell's Bridie's Beau (on a hat-trick and up 23 lbs since handicap debut but first try at 3 miles could bring out more improvement) would be my two against the field. As I said above, being rated 115 and 118 respectively I think they will struggle to get into the final but if one of them romps home here and the British Handicapper takes a dim view they could get a mark of around 128 and sneak into the final.
15:40 Hereford - Almazhar Garde e/w Class-4 Veterans' Handicap Chase over 3m1f on good-to-soft ground. The Kapgarde gelding is a very consistent sort and deserves to win a race. This could be his chance to gain a well-deserved success. Wears same headgear as in previous runs. Paul O'Brien rides for the Charlie Longsdon stable. 5/1 best price in many places on the ATR site, at time of writing.
Going to need the boats out for racing at Naas today, it will be on the heavier side of heavy ground with the rain and wind we've had constantly this week. Gale force winds to deal with also. There was two who did catch the eye with that description in mind - Gordon Elliott's Good To Be Alive in the 14.20 and then Willie Mullins' runner Joystick in the other Grade 3 contest shortly after at 14.50. Both available at 11/4 and 2/1 currently.
Will The Wise has been smashed up for the Pertemps Qualifier at Naas. He was available at 8/1 in places yesterday and generally 11/4 overnight but currently only little bits of 9/4 available and generally 2/1. He has an entry in the Pertemps final as well as the Albert Bartlett and Martin Pipe. Patter Merchant also well backed from 12/1 down to 15/2 and has the same festival entries as Will The Wise plus the Coral Cup. Not sure 3 miles round Naas on heavy ground is the ideal prep just over 2 weeks before the festival though.
Gordon Elliott gets 2 qualified for the Pertemps final - Lucky Lyreen and Patter Merchant. The very well backed Will The Wise wins quite snugly in the end and will get a run in the final. Maxi Mac Gold 2nd off 124 is entered in the final but will he get in? Only 18 days until the final, big ask after what looked a slog on heavy going.
17:10 Hereford - Donttellyamumjack Class-4 Bumper on soft ground. Jonathan Burke rides for the Fergal O'Brien yard who often do well in Bumper events. 4/1 best price at time of writing, on the ATR site.
Poor run from the Elliott horse who then in turn had one to beat Joystick in the next, typical. The form of that Triumph win for Hello Neighbor boosted again today in that 1st G3 as well.
Murcia's form also boasted by the win of Bacchanalian. Really like this filly for the Fred Winter although if she'll be pointed that way I've no idea - the market perhaps suggests not as in most books she's the stables 3rd string for the race!!!
That is the worst part. You can't be sure where they'll end up just yet eith much certainty. I tell you one who also must be kept a close eye on is Joseph O'Brien's one Galileo Dame. She was well supported early in the day last time vs Hello Neighbour and subsequently eased in the betting near the off before finishing 2nd. If you re-watch the race she ridden quietly enough before finishing very well, she made a mess of the last hurdle and was flying home. Given a stiffer task again at Cheltenham might really suit her. I think she is also entered in the Mares novice hurdle along with a Triumph entry.
