7.40pm Roscommon Tips & Betting Preview 13/06/2017

A field of twelve got to post for the fifth race of the day at Roscommon on Tuesday, see our betting tips and the full race preview below.

IN SUMMARY: Walkabout is intriguing with Ruby Walsh booked and Caolaneoin is 20lb lower over these obstacles so has to be considered, but this can go to Charles Byrnes’ HARETH under Davy Russell. He won comfortably on his penultimate start at Limerick in similar conditions and despite a 7lb rise, he nearly made it two in a row when second at Tipperary. He’s only up two pounds here and the conditions will suit hugely, as will this return to the two mile trip under a very much in form rider. Brynes and Russell tend to be a dangerous combination and they look likely to strike again in this.

1 MR PICOTEE – Has returned to his best since returning this season for Vincent Halley, winning his last two races over timber comfortably. Despite being wide he took over in good style to win at Kilbeggan on return and despite an 8lb rise he once again dismissed his rivals with the minimum of fuss to win at Wexford in May. He’s up another seven pounds which makes this tougher and this softer ground isn’t guaranteed to suit him as the better ground has the last twice, so he may just be settling for minor honours this time around under Andrew Lynch.

2 HUNTERS CALL – Inconsistent in six runs over hurdles for John Neilan, winning on hurdling debut at Naas in November 2015 and posting a career best on his penultimate start to finish third at Clonmel in a tougher race than this. He wasn’t as good at Punchestown in April but again, this is less competitive and the handicapper has dropped him a pound in the ratings. The softer ground will suit and this lightly raced seven year old is likely to have his say under Mark Enright, so has to be considered.

3 THEOPHILUS – Dual purpose horse who got back to somewhere near his best over timber after a few poor performances at Punchestown when last seen, finishing fifth a competitive looking event. This is easier and conditions will suit for Desmond McDonogh’s six year old, who is now down to his lowest hurdling mark. Perhaps vulnerable to a few of these but he wouldn’t be amiss in the placings under Ben Dalton.

4 LILSHANE – Poor strike rate of three wins from thirty-four hurdling runs, with his last hurdling victory coming way back in March 2016 off a 10lb lower mark. He has run some respectable races since for Thomas O’Connor, finishing second at Cork four starts ago but he pulled up at Kilbeggan on his latest start in Grade B company and needs more despite the drop in class. Judging by his previous efforts he probably needs more leniency for the handicapper and others are preferred on that basis.

5 TIMIYAN – Won on his second hurdling start at Listowel in September by a wide margin before struggling in Grade 3 company subsequently, last seen at Galway in October where he was a well beaten ninth. On that evidence more is needed, but that is to be expected from this lightly raced Gordon Elliott six year old who has conditions to suit and Mark Walsh taking the ride. He does have to overcome a 226 day absence so the market is likely to be crucial, but he does look likely to go close.

6 WALKABOUT – Another for Gordon Elliott who has been out of form on the flat of late, last seen well beaten at Cork over the 1m 2f trip twenty-five days ago. On his penultimate hurdling run however he did win at Ballinrobe, pulling up when last seen over timber in Grade C company. This however is much easier and he should appreciate this return to hurdling after a poor flat campaign with Ruby Walsh taking the ride. Conditions are to suit and he looks certain to go close.

7 HARETH – Charles Brynes seven year old who won on his penultimate start at Limerick in April comfortably, with a seven pound rise not enough to stop him going close again when narrowly denied at Tipperary last time out. He is up another two pounds but is ticking over nicely and this consistent sort should be going close again Davy Russell. Softer conditions will suit him, as will a return to this trip and he looks tough to beat.

8 CUSTOMER – Interesting runner for Michael McDonagh who makes his Irish debut after signing off in France with a win at Angers in February. Hard to know how that form stacks up in the context of this race, but conditions will suit and David Splaine takes the ride which is a plus. The market will be the best guide in terms of confidence but he’s likely to need this.

9 CAOLANEOIN – Eleven year old veteran for Shane Nolan who makes his first hurdling start since October after being campaigned over fences since, signing off over the larger obstacles with a win at Punchestown by the narrowest of margins. He returns to hurdling off a 17lb lower mark which makes him an intriguing candidate, as if he matches his chasing form he is potentially well handicapped in this sphere despite his age. Robbie Colgan takes the ride and with conditions to suit, he has to be respected deeply.

10 A YEAR TO REMEMBER – Second JP McManus runner who is yet to show much over hurdles for Joseph O’Brien since a promising debut when third at Punchestown, last seen at Navan when well beaten in maiden company. Makes his handicap debut today off a mark of 109 which gives him a chance in a race such as this, but you’d have liked to have seen more in maidens. Possible place contender off a basement weight for a yard in rude health, but others make more appeal for win purposes.

11 ROACHDALE HOUSE – Four race maiden over hurdles who has struggled on the flat of late for Paul Flynn, with his only previous attempt over hurdles in handicap company not revealing him too have much ability in this sphere. Returns on a two pound lower mark which is unlikely to be enough of a drop to help and others make far more appeal.

12 LET’S TWIST AGAIN – Second runner for Joesph O’Brien who has shown limited ability over timber thus far for JP McManus, with his best finish being a sixteenth at Punchestown where he was well beaten. He has failed to complete the last twice in handicap company and it’s impossible to recommend him on that basis.