4.25pm Clonmel Tips & Betting Preview 02/03/2017

Eight runners go to post for this novice chase at Clonmel racecourse worth €16,000. Read on for our full runner by runner guide, extensive analysis and free tip for the most valuable race on the card.

IN SUMMARY: Keep an eye on the market as far as Dollar And A Dream is concerned as he is trained by the shrewd Tony Martin but our vote goes to DOUBLE ISLAND. He showed lots of smart placed form last season behind some talented horses like Min, Open Eagle and Haymount and a repeat of that form would see him very hard to beat for a trainer at the top of his game this season.

1 KILCARRY BRIDGE – The ten year old must give six pounds to the field and there is every chance he may find this trip on the sharp side as he is much more suited to the mile and a half or further. A winner of a beginners’ chase at Thurles back in November on good ground over two miles and six furlongs, he ran respectably in two handicaps since before finishing tailed off behind the talented Sutton Manor at Thurles last week. Respected but may find one or two too good.

2 DOLLAR AND A DREAM – Like all of Tony Martin’s horses, the market is always the best guide when it comes to the yard so it is very hard to know at this early stage how the horse will fare. Talented claimer Donagh Meyler takes three pounds off this gelding who has had a terrible start to life over fences, unseating rider on chase debut and he fell at Thurles last time out. The pick of his hurdles form would give him a major chance but the jury is still out.

3 DOUBLE ISLAND – Henry De Bromhead is having a tremendous season and everything he runs lately seems to run well. This eight year old gelding was sent off a very well backed favourite at Clonmel last time out but sadly he unseated rider. He chased home Stone Hard at Limerick in December and was a respectable fourth at Gowran Park soon after. The money last time out suggested a huge run was on the cards and connections will be looking to make amends here today. He has some very interesting form from last season; third behind Min, second to Open Eagle (who was second behind Altior at Kempton) and third behind Haymount.

4 DOUBLE SCORES – The statistics would say this horse has a terrific chance. Bryan Cooper has a 29% strike-rate during the past fourteen days whilst he also has a 21% strike-rate here at Clonmel since the start of the 2011/12 season. If this horse goes off favourite that will also bode well as he has a 40% strike-rate on favourites over fences over the same period of time. This horse is one of Gigginstown House Stud’s lesser lights but he was a gallant second at Down Royal on his last start and must be respected.

5 GAME PUPPETEER – Trained and ridden by Paul Power, this six year old gelding won a pair of handicaps at Tramore and Thurles back in October and November and has run respectably in handicaps off higher marks since. They were certainly moderate races and he will need to improve to win this and with the ground forecast to be heavy, we’re not sure it will suit him.

6 GOULANE CHOSEN – Eight year old gelding who fell and pulled up on his last two starts so there are risks attached if this horse is to be backed. However, he was fourth behind Outlander at Punchestown in late 2015 and he was only about five lengths behind last years’ World Hurdle runner up Alpha Des Obeaux in October of last year at Thurles. He appreciates heavy ground, will enjoy the trip and has to be respected for all he usually struggles to get his head in front.

7 SHREWDOPERATOR – Seven year old gelding trained by Brian Rothwell who has very limited ability, whose best run in the last couple of years came in a Roscommon handicap where he finished third. Needs to raise his game massively if he wants to take a hand here and is not on the shortlist.

8 THE CANNY MAN – Lightly raced six year old who just has the five runs under his belt to date, none of which would suggest he was up to winning a race of this nature. His best run was here at Clonmel where he finished fourth but he looks way out of his depth truth be told.