17:20
Tramore
Odds correct as of 10:10am 28th May
Friday’s racing action isn’t the greatest from a quality point of view but it should be thoroughly competitive, which will make it entertaining. There’s a National Hunt card from Tramore and Darragh O’Keeffe is the jockey to follow, on the evidence of his record last season, whilst Mullins and Townend combine with one runner. We’ve also picked out some course specialists running at Chepstow. Take a look at our free tips page for daily content across British and Irish racing.
Tramore was a happy hunting ground for Darragh O’Keeffe last season and he managed to land 10 winners at the track, six winners more than the next jockey on the list. His boss Henry de Bromhead also had a good record and the pair have some decent chances on Friday.
Costacurta remains very lightly raced and he won a Kilbeggan maiden hurdle in very good style this time last year. Third in a Wexford novice when last seen, the best is surely yet to come.
Lady Doyanne was a narrow winner of a maiden hurdle at Wexford last summer and she wasn’t beaten far when fourth in handicap company last time out. A 1lb drop in the weights won’t do her chances any harm and a return to winning ways could be on the cards.
It’s interesting that Paul Townend is heading over to Tramore to ride just one horse for his boss Willie Mullins on Friday. Luciole Des Bordes has had four starts in bumpers and finished second on two occasions, including at Punchestown in December. She does need to improve now tackling hurdles but that seems likely to happen and it’s probably telling that Townend is on board.
Christopher Mason’s On Edge has won three times at Chepstow and has placed a further three times. He produced a good effort to win off a 3lb lower mark at Bath in September. The ground was against him last time out and he deserves another chance off this mark.
Ajrad has been below-par so far this season but the handicapper has responded accordingly. Rod Millman’s gelding bolted up here over a mile back in August and a 4lb higher mark wouldn’t have stopped him that day. The 7f trip perhaps isn’t ideal but he should be very competitive.