2.30pm Cork Tips & Betting Preview 07/01/2017

The 2.30pm race today sees the feature race on the Cork card take place and it looks a very competitive handicap hurdle. See our betting tip and full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: CONSHARON BOY is yet to finish out of the first three in his career so far and that consistency coupled with an enticing mark on handicap debut, he has a big chance of getting the win today. Terence O’Brien’s runner handles soft conditions and in his short career already has a win at today’s distance. Scoir Mear drops into an easier race and has to be feared considering that, but has also risen in the weights since then. Cliff House has claims based on his close 2nd here in November, but the John Walsh stable is severely out of form.

1 CLIFF HOUSE – It hasn’t been a prolific start to the season for the John Walsh stable, he has just a 6% strike rate from 138 runners so far this season. His charge today has shown some promise at today’s trip though, placing on both attempts. One of them was at today’s course where he was only very narrowly beaten, that gives him place claims.

2 SCOIR MEAR – Has been racing in better races the last twice (Grade B contests) and his seconds in them is some of the best form on offer. He was beaten on them two occasions by two runners from the in-form Gordon Elliot yard so them efforts are highly respected. This drop down in class gives him strong claims but after finishing 20 lengths in front of the 3rd last time he has been upped 6lb’s. Shouldn’t be far away but there is better value elsewhere.

3 AH LITTLELUCK – Won three in a row before finishing 9th after a short break in a race where Scoir Mear came 2nd. He also drops down in class today but has a bit to find with that rival even considering he has a better pull at the weights. The gelding has won at today’s distance but arguably his best efforts have come over further.

4 RATHPATRICK – Looks like JP McManus’ least likely winner from the two he has in the race based on recent form. All of his three efforts since finishing 6th at the Cheltenham Festival (Pertemps Network Final Listed Race) have been uninspiring (they read 13th, UR & PU). He also drops down in trip today and considering his best form is at 3 miles, that has to be seen as a negative.

5 BUSTER DAN DAN – Has three wins at today’s distance and is versatile ground wise so the soft conditions forecast won’t be a problem. J J Slevin takes off a valuable 5lb’s which would take him 2lb’s higher than his last winning mark, but this is a hot race for the level and he is likely going to find a few too good.

6 CONSHARON BOY – Tackles handicap company for the first time and has a very consistent profile that gives him a big chance. Won a maiden hurdle at today’s distance and has posted respectable placed efforts since, two of which were at 3 miles or more. Is still unexposed and his opening mark could very well underestimate him.

7 KNOCKRAHA PYLON – The in-form Paul Townend who has won 8 of his last 26 races takes the reigns on the mare today. Has two wins over hurdles from 14 runs but both of them came over 2 miles. The most recent of them came at Cork though and she also has a 2nd to her name at this course, so clearly handles the track. Was bumped up 8lb’s for the win in December but isn’t totally ruled out.

8 RORY O’MOORE – One of the most exposed runners in the field and doesn’t arrive in any sort of form that suggests the 12 year old can cause an upset. His last win came over today’s C&D off 9lb’s lower, but that was 2 years ago and he looks regressive.

9 HIGH EXPECTATIONS – Gordon Elliot’s gelding is fairly lightly raced over hurdles but didn’t relish the step up to today’s distance last time out. He finished a very moderate 6th that day and will need to find plenty of improvement to win today. A positive would be Jack Kennedy doing the steering, he has a strike rate of 14% from 37 rides this season.

10 TOON RIVER – Has a good record at Cork, only ever finishing out of the frame once in five runs. Also has two wins on today’s going (soft) and two wins at today’s distance, so the stats suggest a good run is on the cards. Comes into the race on the back of a good 2nd at Limerick but does seem more at home over fences.

11 MOORES ROAD – Represents an in-form stable, trainer Michael Hourigan has two wins from his last two runners and four frame efforts from his horses from his last seven runners. Andrew Ring (jockey claiming 5lb’s) has an 18% strike rate in the last  two weeks and had a winner last time out. The horse was a winner last time out having been dropped to today’s distance, and is a live danger.

myracing Forecast Prices: Scoir Mear 15/8, Moores Road 9/2, Consharon Boy 9/2, Toon River 7/1, Knockraha Pylon 8/1 Cliff House 10/1, High Expectations 12/1, Ah Littleluck 14/1, Buster Dan Dan 14/1, Rathpatrick 20/1, Rory O’Moore 25/1