There are no fewer than seven meetings taking place across Britain and Ireland on Friday and that generates plenty of each-way opportunities. Ireland’s sole meeting takes place at the Curragh and Liam Bramall’s outsider of the day is set to run there. The horse in question is making its handicap debut and there should be loads of improvement to come with that in mind. Why not check out our free tips page for daily content across British and Irish racing.
The Crafty Girl (50/1, Paddy Power) has only had four starts to date and they’ve all come in maiden company. Smaller trainers often find maidens difficult to win in Ireland and the switch to handicaps could make all the difference. An opening mark of 73 may not be beyond her and plenty of improvement is anticipated.
Alan McIntyre’s filly finished fourth in a maiden at Cork back in September and that was her best effort to date. The winner now has a rating of 97 and The Crafty Girl was a little over five lengths behind. Glor Tire was back in fifth that day and she has provided a substantial boost to the form by winning four races so far this year.
It’s could prove crucial that she goes up in trip on handicap debut here, as her best run at two came over a mile. Mastercraftsman’s progeny tend to stay pretty well and there’s some middle-distance success on the dam’s side of her pedigree.
Perhaps the biggest obstacle she needs to overcome is a substantial 290-day absence and she’s therefore entitled to improve substantially for the run. If fit enough for this assignment however, the switch to handicaps could facilitate any amount of improvement.
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