Cork and Kilbeggan – Saturday 7th August

It was a case of what might have been yesterday at Wexford, as Glen Robin was oh so close to landing us a very nice winner at 16/1. Having travelled through the race like a dream, he only faded in the last 100 yards to be done by the guts of a half length. I would be lying to say that those are not tough ones to take, but we will hopefully kick on from that and back a few winners on a Saturday, with plenty of race meetings to try and dissect.

As to be expected, I am starting off my search for winners at Kilbeggan tomorrow evening, with their night time card being the only jumps action available to us National Hunt fanatics today. The 5.15 race, which is a conditions hurdle, is probably the best race on the card quality wise and has an interesting betting heat. This looks like a two horse race in my book between Wonder Laish and Eclair De Beaufeu, both who are at a similar price and both of whom surely will be going close in this contest.

I’ll be siding with Eclair De Beaufeu, who despite a few quiet runs in recent months, still has some of the best form on offer here. He is much higher rated over fences but I sense that he might have slightly lost the nerve for that discipline. His fourth in the County Hurdle, when only getting beat by 2 lengths, is serious form, and should take a lot of beating in this. He is best priced at 11/8 with Paddy Power, which is quite short but I will be backing him.  

The 7.45 race is a very tricky handicap chase and you always know a tight race when it’s 5/1 the field. We have a previous winner for us in this lineup and I’m hoping the return to Kilbeggan can light the fire for Demain Des L’Aubes, who has been a bit of a disappointment thus far over fences. That being said, we got a great win out of his two starts back in a C&D beginners chase, and the way he won that day would have indicated that it wouldn’t be his only win over fences. He is feasibly weighted for this contest and should have a major say. At a price of 13/2 with William Hill, who importantly are paying 4 places, he is an each way bet. 

Before Kilbeggan, there is some good flat action from Cork and I have two selections waiting for that card as well, starting off with the 4.55 race, the Give Thanks Stakes over 1m4f for Group 3 fillies and mares. I am going to take a chance on one of the three year olds in this race, and hope that there might still be improvement left in High Heels, who has already shown herself to be versatile in terms of ground and trip. Aidan O’Brien’s horses have been rather hit and miss recently, but this filly has been carrying her form well and gets weight off some of her older rivals. She came an honest third from the front in the Munster Oaks two starts back, before failing to stay over 1m6f at Leopardstown last time out. Her maiden win was also at this track so it’s obviously a place she enjoys coming to. At a price 17/2 with Paddy Power, she is a good each way bet. 

The final race on the card at Cork is the 5.25, which is a staying flat maiden over 1m4f. I felt very unfortunate last time out when I put up Cycladic at Leopardstown, with her bid being foiled by a neck. I am hoping she can do the job today and get off the mark at the fifth time of asking. Despite not winning thus far, you can’t blame the attitude of Cycladic, who is a tough and genuine filly and should be very well suited for this trip. She also brings decent soft ground to the party from last year, so that should not be an excuse. Overall, at a best price of 4/1 with Bet365, I think she’s overpriced and could take some beating.