Clonmel – Thursday 12th May

It was perhaps not my strongest move to be sucked into the flat action at York at this time of the season as with so many variables up in the air, it is very difficult to pin down likely winners. Instead, for the time being – I am going to opt for a more suitable companion for my selections – and that comes with the evening racing today from Clonmel, which has a very competitive eight race card. 

Starting with the 5.35, which is a tricky handicap hurdle over 2 miles and has attracted a strong field of 15 to post. On this occasion, I am going to be siding with one right at the top of the weights with The Dasher Conway, who I still think is better than his current mark and could be a horse to have a productive summer campaign having been given a good break since his last run. He showed a lot of promise when winning a maiden hurdle last summer and was a good fourth off this mark on handicap bow, which shows signs that there might be a bit more to come from him. Despite having to lug around top weight, he is clearly one of the class acts in this race and might be able to give weight and a beating to some of these. At a price of 9/1 with Ladbrokes, who are paying out 4 places, he should be backed each way. 

The 6.10 race is a 2m3f maiden hurdle and it would be unlike me to usually side for the flat recruit going hurdling for the first time, but I am fascinated to see what Scott Lang can do in this discipline, having been a progressive sort in staying handicaps on the flat in the last season. He has got himself to a mark in the mid 70s in that discipline, and if transferring that form over to jumps, he would have a massive chance in a race of this nature. Lieutenant Highway looks like a favorite you could take on, while there does not seem to be too much depth. We may know the chances of this horse by the off time, depending on his price – but I am going to take a chance he will be off today. At a price of 4/1 with Bet365, I am going to give him that chance. 

The 6.45 race is a 2m3f handicap hurdle on this occasion and there will be no surprises from anyone to see that I will be siding with the consistent and in-form veteran, Glenabo Bridge – who ran a superb race at Ballinrobe last time out under conditions which would not have suited. He will be definitely suited by this step back up to 2m4f and even though the better ground would not be absolutely ideal, he may well be able to get away with it on this occasion. He won very impressively two starts ago and was able to back that effort up, which augurs well for another big run today. At a price of 11/2 across the board, with 5 places available – he should be backed each way.