This should probably boil down to a 2-horse race with £4,205 up for grabs for the winner. Read on for our experts’ thoughts and betting tips.
IN SUMMARY: Crack Tiepy will no doubt be the hot favourite and fits the profile of good horses her connections seem adept at picking up from over the pond. That being said this is her first start on these shores and in what could be a bit of a slog, a chance is taken on MOONSHINE LAD discovering his chasing form when a comfortable winner at Limerick in 2013. He unseated his rider 3 days ago and if able to cut out the errors today, could give the favourite plenty to think about.
1 Ballela Boy – Useful hurdler on his day and has win twice from 6 runs so far including first time out Naas a year ago and easily accounted for rivals by 3 ½ lengths at Downpatrick last month. Didn’t follow up on his last start in a Novice Hurdle at Galway 22 days ago finishing 7th of 9 runners. Yard remains in top form and have to settle for minor honours today.
2 Hunter’s Call – Has plenty of ability judged on his two wins from 4 runs last year. Won as he liked on his last start last November beating the useful Macbride from Joseph O’Brien’s yard by 5 lengths. Looks like he will win races this year but off for 12 months and up in trip today. Will come on for the run.
3 Moonshine Lad – Useful chaser who had been off the track for over almost two years before making his comeback appearance at Punchestown 3 days ago. He unseated his rider on that occasion but judged on his two wins at Downpatrick and Limerick in 2013, he could have a say if getting over that mishap. Stable couldn’t be in better form and a bold showing likely.
4 Notwhatiam – Decent hurdler who won at Limerick back in March when comfortably besting a 6-runner field by 4 3/4 lengths. Had another good run when finishing 3rd last time out at Clonmel but is nothing if not inconsistent and back up in trip today, will find life tough against the market principals.
5 Cotton Jenny – Won a Maiden Hurdle at Cork in May by a whopping 15 lengths has shown nothing near like that in 3 runs since including a 6th of 8 runner race over this C&D 23 days ago. Ground will be a big concern and impossible to have any faith in in this race.
6 Side Saddle – Has fair form over hurdles for current yard and won a minor Mares Maiden Hurdle event back here in January. Pulled up on latest start art Clonmel in a race won by Arkwrisht from Willie Mullins’ yard and will no doubt come on for the run today after an absence of 9 months. Wears tongue-strap and looks up against it on return.
7 Theatre Princess – King’s Theatre filly who won at Cork in March, coring by 20 lengths when a well backed-favourite. Two 2nd’s since at Tramore and Downpatrick in the Spring and been off since. A multiple winner over Points, she will no doubt struggle on her return and will come on for run. Big doubt she will be good enough today.
8 Crack Tiepy – Promising individual won was 3rd of 8 in a Chase at Auteuil back in June. Has joined all conquering yard since and will be expected to go well on her debut getting a handy allowance from her rivals. Likely favourite she should go close.