It wouldn’t truly be a Sunday without a substantial market mover in Ireland. There’s yet another gamble underway at Punchestown. The gamble comes in the 3.45 and the subject was available at a massive 40-1 on Saturday evening. Currently, the best available price is 12-1 with bet365 but they are the only firm to offer bigger than 10-1. 8-1 is the price on offer from some firms. Check out our free tips page for daily content across British and Irish racing.
West is Awake is the horse in question and he makes his third start of the season here. The sustained market support has come for this horse despite the fact that he’s 1lb out of the handicap. He didn’t find much when asked for an effort after the second last at Leopardstown when last seen. After tamely fading away, he finished 25 lengths behind in eighth.
It was a fairer effort at Thurles on his first start after a 221-day break two starts ago. Edward Cawley’s gelding finished as if he needed the run that day but was just 15 lengths behind when finishing fourth. Victorious once in eight hurdles starts, his sole win came on just his second handicap start at Naas in March. That was a much improved performance, off a mark of 97.
Improvement looks needed if he’s to get his head in front here but the strength of the market support would suggest there are plenty who believe it’s forthcoming. A second career victory is certainly not out of the question for this six-year-old who races off a mark just 7lb higher than his last winning one. The best could well be yet to come.
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