Wednesday’s Lucky 15 bet wasn’t the worst result in the world.
I managed to find two winning selections, one of which was 15/2 and the other was Gaelic Warrior at 6/5. You would have basically doubled your money, which is a decent result in what is a competitive day of racing.
I was disappointed not to walk away with three winners, with Zanoosh hitting the crossbar in second place, so be it, beaten cosily by over 6L in the end.
Hoping for another decent result on Thursday.
Nadia’s Boy 8/1 EW – Punchestown 2.30
Willie Mullins runs three in the opener, but it’s not the mount of Paul Townend that I’m interested in.
I think at the prices, Nadia’s Boy is a cracking each-way bet at 8s. My selection remains unbeaten at present and brings some nice form to the table, having beaten Frankie John ( now rated 138 over hurdles ) last time out at Listowel in a maiden hurdle contest over an extended 2m.
The Listowel race just mentioned was back in September of last year, which is a bit of a worry as he hasn’t got race fitness on his side compared to others in this field. With that said, Willie is no mug as we know, and he’s more than capable of getting one ready.
Honesty Policy 9/2 EW – Punchestown 6.05
If Teahupoo can shrug off a tame effort last time out at Cheltenham, then he’s the one to beat. Connections have gone for the blinkers this time around, and if they work as they expect, then, as mentioned, he’ll be a tough nut to crack.
With that said, I’ve opted to stay on Teahupoo this time around and take a chance on Gordon Elliot’s other runner in Honesty Policy. My selection will be ridden by Harry Cobden, who at present isn’t riding too well. He’ll have to be back on song when riding Honesty Policy tomorrow evening, particularly when the pace quickens, as he can tend to get caught out at times.
All that aside, he’s a good horse on his day and brings some half-decent form to this race, having won the Grade 1 Mersey Novice Hurdle last year, whilst also running some decent races in defeat, including a fifth-place finish in the stayers and a third-place effort by the inform Home By The Lee at Aintree last time out.
McLaurey 6/1 EW – Punchestown 4.50
Another wide-open handicap race, and normally not something I enjoy getting involved in. But I had to give the JP-owned McLaurey another chance after his somewhat disappointing showing during this year's Cheltenham festival.
When we last saw him, he finished a well beaten 14 lengths in a Grade 3 at Cheltenham over 2m4f. My selection drops back in distance for this race, and I think it looks the right move.
I caught a replay of the Cheltenham effort, and to be fair to him, he didn’t exactly enjoy a smooth trip on that occasion. He had to be taken wide and was also hampered towards the finish.
This content represents a drop in class for McLaurey, and with him also being dropped 3lb for his most recent outing, he surely arrives here with strong claims.
Diamond Du Berlais 11/8 EW – Punchestown 3.05
Similar to yesterday, I’m opting to throw in a short-priced runner in today’s lucky 15 bet.
It paid off yesterday with Gaelic Warrior winning, so fingers crossed I’m on the right horse once more.
This race looks a bit trickier, and I was torn between the two Willie Mullins runners ( Diamond Du Berlais and Future Prospect ), but finally opted to stick to my gut and go for Diamond Du Berlais.
The pair met in the Mares Novice at Cheltenham, but both were big enough odds on that occasion, with Future Prospect being the more fancied of the two at 16s, where Diamond Du Berlais was a massive 33/1 that day.
Future Prospect was pulled up on that occasion but did run with credit last time out to finish sixth in the Fairyhouse Mares Grade 1. Diamond Du Berlais, on the other hand, ran a cracker to finish sixth at Cheltenham and has been given a break since that effort. I think a repeat performance of her Cheltenham effort would see her get her head in front, and there’s also reason to believe she can improve for the run.
GambleAware