Having just finished my flat list to follow I promptly gave one of them a far from confident write up, only for him to win at 8/1. Geojimali’s previous wins had all come at 6 furlongs and I wasn’t sure about him over the minimum trip. Oh well – ever onwards!
The big race tomorrow is the Irish Grand National (3.55) at Fairyhouse so I will start by looking at that race.
There are plenty of runners from our list to follow. Distant Thunder, All in the Stars and Cloudy Lane from England and Ross River, Whyso Mayo, Cane Brake and Oodachee trained in Ireland.
The 3 I like best are Cloudy Lane, Distant Thunder and Whyso Mayo. My only reservation would be that they all had hard races at the Cheltenham Festival. There are doubts about Cloudy Lane’s stamina but if he gets the trip he should go close and he gets the selection.
In the 2.10 Sky’s the Limit looks the one to beat on the best of his hurdles form.
Elsewhere on the Fairyhouse card Mill House Girl runs in the 2.45. She is a remarkably versatile individual. A dual bumper winner she has also won over hurdles at Tipperary and on the flat on the sand at Laytown. On her last start she ran well in third behind Moon over Miami in a decent novice hurdle at Cheltenham.
Mounthenry represents our list to follow in the 3.20. He is yet to win this season and failed to impress when 5th of 8 behind Afsoun in the Champion Hurdle Trial at Haydock in January.
There are a few runners from our lists to follow in action at the various meetings in the UK.
Up at Musselburgh How’s She Cuttin’ looks the likely answer to the 2.20. Her form figures for her last 5 starts read 12121 including 2 wins over course and distance. As long as she handles the fast ground I would expect a bold showing.
Mark Johnston’s horses have been in great form on the all weather during the winter and hopefully his good run will continue into the turf season. He has saddled the winner of the 4.40 3 times in the last 5 years and is represented by the once raced Record Breaker this time. He just ran the once last season, finishing 4th at Ascot. The form of that race has worked out well and with the trip unlikely to pose a problem Record Breaker is a strong fancy.
Over the jumps at Sedgefield I am hopeful about the chances of King of Confusion in the 2.50. He was 2nd to Hard Act to Follow on his first run this season but has had a few problems since. With the ground in his favour tomorrow this could be a good chance to open his account for the season.
Northern Jem is a half brother to that prolific winner Polar Jem who won 8 races. Northern Jem showed promise in a couple of runs as a juvenile and reappears in the 2.25 at Yarmouth.
That is about it for tonight. I hope you enjoy the bank holiday.
ahorse 