1.25pm Clonmel Tips & Betting Preview 08/12/2016

A high class field go to post here at Clonmel for a stayers handicap, see our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: A very interesting race can go to TAGLIETELLE, who isn’t the most consistent of horses and hasn’t put his best foot forward of late but the trip and ground are in his favour and reverting to hurdles seems the right move. Gordon Elliott’s horses are winning for fun at present and it’s taken that his gelding can post a much improved effort today. The obvious main danger is Clondaw Warrior who ran very well under both codes last season and this trip could bring out further improvement.

1 CLONDAW WARRIOR – Very good horse under both codes but last seen when finishing a flat last in the Doncaster Cup on the flat. He’s a better hurdler however and won the Grade A Galway Hurdle when last seen over obstacles (2m, Good to Yielding). Now upped in trip and is very interesting if judged upon his staying on 3rd in the Queen Alexandra Stakes over 2m5f on the flat and should stay.

2 SHANPALLAS – Not the most consistent of horses but decent at his best in the context of this race. Last seen when 4th of 6 at Cork in a poor display and will need to show more to win a race like this. However it’s good to note he’s won at this distance in the past.

3 CAPTAINOFTHEFLEET – Decent enough hurdler who does have a bit to find with a few of these on form. Has won previously at this distance previously but would probably prefer the ground much softer than this and others are preferred.

4 GERDAGO – Reasonably consistent for K J Condon and switches back to hurdles after two poor runs over fences at Punchestown and Navan. Will need to find more now switched back to hurdles and there are question marks as to whether this trip will suit, so probably best watched today.

5 MONTYS MEADOW – Very promising in bumpers and had a record of 1-1-1 over hurdles and 1-2-1 over fences more recently, last seen when falling 3 out from a close 2nd at Naas (2m4f, Heavy). Very interesting contender for James Mangan and this step up in trip might eek out more from him but the ground is a concern as all his best efforts are on heavy.

6 TAGLIETELLE – 4th in the Pertemps at the Festival this year back in March (2m7f, Good) but hasn’t really gone on since and been very inconsistent, last seen pulling up over fences at Fairyhouse (2m5f, Yielding). Switching back to hurdles makes sense and this trip is probably his optimum judged on previous efforts. With how good the Gordon Elliott stable is going of present a chance is taken that in a race where the ground and trip is in his favour, he can put his best foot forward to challenge for the win today.

7 VAL DE FERBET – Won on Hurdles debut back in 2013 but hasn’t won over these obstacles since, finished 2nd 4 times. Ground and trip is fine today and he’s showed good amounts of promise in all of those 2nd’s, so could well have place claims today.