A field of seven will line up for this hunter chase at Tramore on Monday evening, see our betting tip sand the full race preview below.
IN SUMMARY: Jammin Masters was a beaten favourite on his latest start but it was still a solid effort on rules debut and has to be respected, but this can go to DIMPLE. A three time point to point winner, with all three of those wins coming in succession in November/December, he was disappointing on chasing debut under rules at Limerick last time out. That run however looked to have come too soon and he will appreciate the three month break he’s been given, as he goes well fresh and will suit the conditions perfectly. Liam Quinlan takes off a useful 7lb and he can take his first rules victory for Andrew Slattery.
1 ISLAND MASTER – Eight year old who won well at Clonmel two starts ago in February, but lost his action at Fairyhouse on his latest start so does have something to prove now. He is conceding upwards of 6lb to all his rivals which is certainly cause for concern, though he suits the conditions and has proven winning capabilities under rules which does stand him in good stead. Likely to go close and has to be respected, but can be easily taken on at the prices.
2 DIMPLE – Three time point to point winner with all three of those wins coming in quick succession in November and December, taking the latest of those at Lingstown on December 18th. He made his chasing debut under rules 9 days later at Limerick with that run evidently coming to soon and he pulled up as the well backed favourite. He’s now been given a three month break and goes well fresh, so can return to winning ways in this with his point to point form comparable to Jammin Masters. Conditions are to suit and Liam Quinlan takes off a useful 7lb, so all signs point to a big run from Andrew Slattery’s six year old.
3 FIVE O’CLOCK TEA – Form figures of 0P4PUP4 under rules and in point to points since June 2016 doesn’t make for impressive reading and he looks to be completely on the back foot under rules for the first time since July 2016. That run came at Tipperary when we was pulled up and it’s hard to make any sort of case for Shane Nolan’s ten year old in this vein of form. Others readily preferred and he’s best ignored.
4 JAMMIN MASTERS – Point to point winner who made his rules debut at Downpatrick on his latest start when second two weeks ago, running on well but never able to threaten the wnner. He was the well backed favourite that day so clearly there was confidence behind him and on his point to point form, he should be capable of better in time. Conditions are to suit and Stenson takes off a useful 7lb, so all signs point to a big run and he is respected, though he can easily be taken on at the prices on this occasion.
5 OCTOBER REVOLUTION – Five time point to point winner, with the latest of those wins coming at Tralee back in May 2016 in good style. He was last seen in Novmeber at Grennan when a poor fifth, so does need to step up his game on that evidence on his first rules startsince April 2015. He has a 156 day absence to overcome and others do certainly make more appeal, though he wouldn’t be amiss in the placings if showing the best of his pointing form in this. Place claims at best with conditions to suit.
6 SO INFLUENTIAL – Point to point winner at Ballyragget in March which represents a solid standard of form and he wasn’t disgraced a week later when third in another point to point. On the evidence of his pointing form he can go close in this, but does need to improve on his latest rules run when falling at Clonmel in February at the first fence, which does leave him with a question mark. Conditions are to suit and his jockey takes off a useful 7lb, but others look likelier on this occasion and he can only be given place claims.
7 TOUCHY – Two wins from fifteen point to point runs, with the latest of those coming back in November in a four horse race. She was a good second at Ballinaboola on his penultimate start which brings her into the reckoning but she has questions to answer after a poor run on her latest start in February. She likely needs more even on the best of her form and although she is receiving 7lb and upwards for her rivals, she is perhaps best watched in this.