The Clonmel Oil Chase is always a race to whet the appetite early in the National Hunt season. The Grade 2 has been won by stars likes of Tranquil Sea, Dorans Pride, Beef Or Salmon, War Of Attrition, Sizing Europe and more recently by Kemboy, Douvan and Blue Lord. It is a quality race for its grade and it’s amazing that we can welcome back Allaho after a spell on the sidelines. Read on for our preview and tip for the race.
Trainer Willie Mullins has this race sewn up if the market is to be believed as he saddles the current favourite and second-favourite. Janidil could spoil the Allaho party if the latter doesn’t show up on the day. He fell when a certain winner at Fairyhouse at the end of last season and although he won a Grade 1 chase as a novice, he should fall short on all known form.
This is a race which revolves entirely around the return of Allaho, who will be far too good for his rivals if he still possesses all of his ability after his absence. He will run them into the ground from the front if he’s near his best.
It has been a brilliant week or so for Mouse Morris, who saddled Gentlemansgame to victory in the Charlie Hall Chase at Wetherby. French Dynamite is 0/7 in Grade 1 company, and although he goes well fresh, it would be hard to back him.
This is a clever bit of placing by trainer John Ryan, who will pick up €3,000 just for finishing last of the four runners if Grange Walk can get around. A decent handicapper at best, this horse should be beaten out of sight.
Well, there’s no point putting up a loser just for the sake of it, is there? Allaho won’t need to be at his best to win on his return and Willie wouldn’t have risked him if he wasn’t right either. He should win this cosily before moving onto bigger things.
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