4.35pm Clonmel Tips & Betting Preview 29/09/2016

NOT FOR YOU (15/8) has been rather frustrating in recent starts but will find this his easiest assignment for some time. Davy Russell is booked to ride the Charles Byrnes trained eight year old who was a solid second at Listowel over two miles and one furlong over a week ago. He was doing his best work late on that day so the step up in trip will be massively in his favour. The main threat could come from Stonehall Jack who stays much further than this and won at Kilbeggan in August.

1 MELDRUM LAD – Travelled really well for a long way at Downpatrick in August (Hit 1.84 in running) before struggling turning for home, finishing 5th. Possibly looked amiss that day and may well need this run to gain race fitness back.

2 STONEHALL JACK – Won very easily at Kilbeggan over 3m 1f in August but couldn’t follow up over the same course and distance when 4th there earlier this month. Likes to race handy and will make this a real test to make use of his stamina. Each Way contender.

3 ROBIN DES PEOPLE – Yet to place from ten starts but ran a solid race at Tramore over two miles in April when third behind Wither Hills. Solid if unspectacular run when 5th at Listowel when last seen over a week ago and has work to do to reverse the form with Not For You who was in 2nd. Cheekpieces go on.

4 NOTIMETOSERVE – Has largely struggled since winning at Tramore in April 2014. Very nearly sprung a shock 50/1 victory when beat a short head by Glenwood For Ever at Kilbeggan in June. Pulled up at Listowel when last seen and is very hard to fancy.

5 DIAMONDGEEZER LUKE – Last success came in June 2014 but usually runs well at Clonmel. Dropped to a very handy mark of 95 and Ryan Treacy takes off a further five. Needs to improve to take a hand as he has been very poor this season.

6 FAIRY ISLAND – 257 day absence to overcome after being pulled up at Naas in January. Still very lightly raced for an eight year old but has clearly had training problems. Owned by the shrewd JP McManus so keep an eye on the market.

7 GABRIELLEAMEE – Completely tailed off at Wexford over 3m 1f behind As De Pique at Wexford when last seen. Significantly down in trip and impossible to fancy on all known form. Sean Flanagan is booked which is the only positive thing to be said.

8 LAUDATORY – Thoroughly exposed 10 year old formerly trained by Nicky Henderson. Has really struggled since moving over to Ireland and has beat just two horses’ home in his last five starts. Impossible to fancy.

9 NOT FOR YOU – Got going all too late over 2m 1f at Listowel on the 17th of this month when 2nd to Rockshandy. Davy Russell takes over in the saddle and the step up in trip will be hugely in his favour. Usually struggles to get his head in front but he won’t find a better opportunity than this as it is a very weak handicap.

10 GALBOYSTOWN LADY – Remains a maiden after twenty five starts to date but ran a massive race when 2nd to Riviera Sun at Sligo just a day ago. Likely to be a non runner after that effort but if she runs and is none the worse after a gruelling race, she has an each way chance.

11 MASSINIS ADVENTURE – Best form has come at Clonmel so this track could spark a major revival. Well beat 11th or 13 at Ballinrobe in August but was 2nd to Pops Well off this mark (82) in June here at Clonmel. Won at this track in 2014, conditions will suit and he is a lively outsider.

12 DARK OUTSIDER – Has now racked up twenty two starts without victory but has some placed form in the book that would give him every chance off this mark. Finished 3rd to the progressive Rathmuck Native at Cork in July but has work to do to reverse form with Stonehall Jack based on their Tramore run.

13 SURVIVAL – Adrian Heskin, new retained jockey to Tom George takes the mount which is eye-catching. Won a handicap chase here at Clonmel in June 2014 off the same mark (79). Has to bounce back after some woeful runs; pulled up the last twice. Best watched.

14 KILDERRY PRINCE – Best effort to date when 7th of 18 at Cork in August and the form of that race has worked out pretty well. Makes his handicap chase debut here, still relatively low mileage on the clock and would be no surprise to see a massive run at huge odds.

15 IS THAT MARMALADE – Well behind Stonehall Jack when last seen at Kilbeggan in August and impossible to fancy on all known form. Will carry just 10 stone but needs to show more before he can be backed.