Kilbeggan – Thursday 21st April

There has not quite been the regularity of Irish racing that I would have often hoped for over the last number of weeks, and as thus – selections for April have been relatively few and far between outside of the big spring festivals. There will obviously be plenty of Punchestown coverage over the next week, but it is tracks such as Kilbeggan, Bellewstown and Killarney that will be the order of the day for these summer months, alongside occasionally dipping my toe into the flat pool. Kilbeggan returns this evening and I have selected four horses at big prices who hopefully can outrun their odds. 

 Starting off with the 4.45 race, which is a 2m maiden hurdle and it is safe to say that this does not look and overly inspiring race on the face of things. The standard bearer is Sizing Mauritius, who improved out of sight on his two bumper efforts when finishing third last time out. However, he is far too short espeically for a horse who bombed out twice beforehand and one can let him win at those prices without losing sleep. The same can easily be said for Showbusiness, who has turned frustrating and although I feel the likes of Unbreakable Bond and At War could run well, one is taking a big chance based off their lay-offs. Instead, I am siding with the improving Miranda Priestley, who ran a very nice race last time out when finishing sixth and would have finished a heap closer without clattering two out. The step down in trip should suit this horse nicely as well, and he now has Denis O’Regan taking over the steering, which has to be taken as a good sign. If continuing to improve on that Fairyhouse effort, a price of 10/1 with Bet365, could look a tempting each way price.

The next race on the card is the 5.15 race, which is a 2m handicap hurdle and this lowly rated race looks just as competitive as you would come to expect in this type of heat. I am perhaps barking down the wrong path here, but I was under the impression that Flyin Hawaiian was making some eye-catching progress at Naas last time out when being brought down at the fourth last under Richie Deegan. This flat winner over 10 furlongs has yet to convince overall in this discipline, but he certainly has the back class to make it count off this type of mark and in this grade. I would have thought these conditions would be ideal for him and I find it interesting to see that Sean O’Keeffe takes over the steering from regular partner, Richie Deegan. Perhaps I am making something out of nothing in this case, but I sense he has the ability to get involved, despite his lofty price. At 20/1 with Sky Bet, who are offering 5 places, he should be backed each way.

The 5.45 race is the second helping of the 2m handicap hurdle in the 80-102 category and in this race, I am siding with one that has been slightly more found in the market. That horse is Park Hind, for the combination of Andy Lynch and Keith Donoghue, and this horse has to have his chance based off some of his best form. Although he was a shade disappointing last time out when finishing fifth, his third and fourth prior to that rate as good form in the context of a race like this and I don’t feel he is over faced by a mark of 98 on handicap bow. This return to better ground should be the making of him and his hurdling has been decent in his novice runs. The only worry is whether this horse will need the run, on the return from a few months lay off, but I am willing to take that chance. At a price of 7/1, with 5 places available on Sky Bet– he is another each way selection.

The final selection of the day comes in the 6.15 race, which is another handicap hurdle but this time over the staying trip of 2m7f and is for horses rated between 80-109. There are very few solid horses in this race to choose from, so I have decided to take a chance on the quirky but not overly trustworthy, Owl Creek Bridge for the McNamara’s. This horse comes with plenty of risks, but when he is on a going day, he is good for this level and is well good enough to get involved in the shake-up. He won at the end of last season and his reappearance run was full of promise when finishing seventh. However, he pulled up last time out over fences and has questions to answer now. The conditions and standard of the race should suit, and as long as he can get away with the ground, he should run a big race. At a price of 20/1, with 5 places available each way on Bet365, and if on a going day, he could be a great price.