Downpatrick & Roscommon – Monday 30th August

There is a major part of me that won’t be too disappointed to see the back of August as a month, as in truth, it has been a very tough month from a punting perspective. At the moment, I am hanging in there for a bit of small profit on the month thus far, but could do with a decent run or two to ease any of those concerns. As it’s a bank holiday in Britain, there is plenty of racing to delve through – but as per the usual, it’s the Irish meetings of Downpatrick and Roscommon that have appealed to me the most.  

Starting off with Downpatrick, which looks really difficult and despite my usual want for a few more selections from a jumps card – I only have the one. That comes in the 3.20 race, which is a 2m4f beginners chase. I am going to try and keep things plain and simple in this contest, and I’m very hopeful that Battle of Actium could have improved the necessary amount to go and collect his first win over the larger obstacles. After a maiden hurdle victory in Down Royal last year, I think plenty, including myself, thought this horse would go on to do a lot better with time. His hurdling career never took off after that and he put in some disappointing efforts. His third on Chase Debut last time out behind Alice Avril was full of promise, and this step back up in trip will be right up his street. He also gets Shane Fitzgerald taking a valuable four pounds off his back – which should help him at the ratings. At a best price of 7/4 with Boylesports, I made him a bet. 

Moving over to Roscommon and starting off with their 6.15 race, which is one of the best races on the card over the extended 7 furlongs and sees plenty of these horses arrive in good form. I’ll be siding with a progressive horse on both codes, which is Flying Scotsman, who returns to the flat after a good summer thus far over hurdles. This step back down to under a mile could well be too sharp for this horse, but provided he is able to travel away with the majority of his rivals, he will be finishing late and fast. It’s very hard to rule out further improvement for this horse on the flat as he has been winning races over hurdles through ability and nothing else, with his hurdling technique leaving a bit to be desired. I’m hoping he can land a punch in this race, and at a price of 5/1 with Bet365, who offer the 3 places – I’ll be backing each way.

The final race on the card at Roscommon at 7.45 is our final destination and hopefully we can continue with the good luck we have had recently in the lucky last of race meetings. I’m very keen on Francis Casey’s horse in this, Rock Ya Boy Ya – who is surely better than a basement mark of 45 would suggest. After a few eye-catching runs in maidens, he was very well backed last time out when apprentice ridden and found himself in a lot of trouble and almost came down in running. He should be better for that experience and you can clearly put a line through that effort. I have a feeling this horse could be well backed again as there has been some early morning money around for him. At a price of 7/1 with Paddy Power, who offer 4 places, I’m getting in there and hoping that’s a good each way price.