I'll back that today and probably nothing else. 7 penalties for Wayne. Means he scored 29. That's a great return in a poor United team.
Dex I actually wouldn't be surprised if they got lucky with that one and named him after the daddy long legs art hotel they are obsessed with ****ing art.
There was one of Willie Mullins' 4 Y O's who I thought would develop into a smart hurdler at some point- Loch Ard. He made his debut really late in the season and ran a race full of promise (still very green at the business end) and finished 4th in the race with Minsk, won by Burrenbridge Lodge. He is by Pivotal and unsurprisingly has gone very well on heavy ground, slucing up the last twice and very interesting going over to France for a decent pot. Wonder if this was always the plan? I wouldn't put anyone off a little bit of interest at around the 5/1 mark. Again, he is one to just keep some tabs on whatever happens today, much like Staure who I mentioned towards the end of yesterdays daily thread, who is a a good Montjeu colt of Andrew Baldings. No surprise to see the Henrythenavigator colt figure prominently in the betting in Navans opener, and I actually think he'll sire some precocious buggers, especially 2 year olds. Always beware of what AOB is saying though- HenrytheNav is at stud now so O'Brien is always going to talk up a new sires offspring. But I do think he'll sire well and it would not surprise me if it won the opener at all. Fame and Glory would be a cracking price if you knew he would turn up in good form, but as a 6 year old now I think if he runs below his best (espec with a 10lb penalty), you should be very cautious of steaming in to him on reappearance. Remember, he will be tuned for Ascot, not today. Dare I say it, he would be a lay. But you might get value at Ascot later on In fact Notable Graduate stood out to me as one to enjoy the trip, especially as I just think Unaccompanied, as smart as she is, is vulnerable to any strong stayers. Another horse that stood out for a Sunday was up in the north at Ripon. Godolphin send a nicely bred colt by New Approach for a maiden and it looks like a golden opportunity for Silvestre De Sousa, and at a very nice price too- 11/2 in places. The reason I mention this is because I think its importanrt to keep tabs on Godolphins northern runners this year. They've signed De Sousa to ride but they haven't given him any big rides yet, and theres no way they want to keep any of De Sousa/Barzalona/Dettori out of the winners, so De Sousa, being such a good jockey in the north these past few seasons, can find some good opportunities in some perhaps (on paper) weaker maidens. The horse in question there was Thai'ir. Again, these are just hunches that I think might be interesting over the medium/long term, so just keep an eye out.
3.05 Navan My Girl Anna 11/2 She looks an incredible price. She's a C+D winner who has never been beaten by more than 2L in 4 starts. 2 starts back she finished a 0.62L 3rd behind Maarek at the track with the winner subsequently winning a very hot race in Newmarket. On her last start she finished 1.25L beaten 3rd behind Gordon Lord Byron, who finished just in front of her at Navan. That winner has won again since in a conditions race where he was badly off at the race so My Girl Anna's last 2 efforts have been extremely good. She's only 2lb higher than her effort behind Maarek and off the same mark as her latest effort. She'll have to reverse form with Luisant, who finished 0.75L ahead of My Girl Anna on her last start, but that rival is 2lb worse off at the weights and the ground today will suit a bit better than the testing ground did for My Girl Anna. 11/2 represents a fantastic e/w price if you are that way inclined as I cant see her out of the first 3 but I'm quietly confident she'll land this. Will do a RFC with Luisant as they look the likeliest first 2 home.
I'm gonna have a few quid on Bullock Harbour at 7/1 e.w. in the 3.55 at Limerick. Good ground is the key to this fella and it looks like he's been prepared for a summer novice chasing campaign.No better trainer than Jessy Harrington at getting one of these ready and this 128 hurdler has a decent chance in what is a good little race.Only covering the e/w since it is a 16 runner novice chase and anything could happen. I expect this to be well supported.
Nice one RV always great to hit a winner in the first. can bet for free now today as long as you don't play too many races!
Managed to catch the race with Critoforo Columbo, HenrytheNav is going to make some beautifully well made horses. Looked a picture I thought and won nicely.
