Roscommon – Monday 9th May

What a Saturday we had down in Cork, where from the four selections – we registered two big winners and a place at a big starting price. It has put us in a nice position for the month at this early stage, but with the days ticking by – it is becoming harder and harder to sway out of the way of the flat action. I have decided that today is the day to face the demons, and I am going to be tackling two of the staying handicaps on the flat card from Roscommon this evening. 

The first of which comes at 7.00 and is a 1m4f handicap and has attracted a competitive field of 16 to post. I am going to be siding with two horses in this line-up, as you may know I have no issues with firing two bullets at the same race. The first of which is a horse who scored over this course and distance last season, and that is Too Bright for the combination of Noel Meade and Oisin Orr. This horse has tried hurdling on his last few starts, and although winning first time up last summer, he has been a shade disappointing the last twice. He returns to the flat and he should strip fitter for his previous run. I think this could be a productive summer for this horse, as a mark of 72 should not overface him and I would be disappointed to not see him add to his maiden win last summer this term. Oisin Orr has started off his relationship with Meade this year in fine style, and I think this horse is overpriced given his chance. At a price of 8/1 with Bet365, who are offering 5 places – he should be backed each way. 

We got some great success from the Nolan stable on Saturday down in Cork and I am somewhat hopeful of some continued success with Coventry, who is also running in the 7.00. He returns from a small lay off on this occasion and he showed an aptitude for this game last season when running very close in a 2m handicap around Listowel. His recent hurdling exploits have not been as impressive, but he returns here with near peak conditions to deal with, and I think this trip could suit his needs well. He has talented young claimer Jake Coen taking seven pounds off his back – which brings him to a nice weight, and he should be able to run well if fully wound up. At a price of 10/1 with Bet365, who are also offering 5 places – he should be backed each way. 

The second and last race I’ll be covering is the finale on the card, which is at 7.30 and is another 1m4f handicap for horses rated between 47-70. This 3 year old contest has a lot of unexposed horses lining up here, so there is a bit of guesswork with what we are dealing with here. I am going to take a chance on another Noel Meade runner in this race, and hope Alice Diamond can improve on her handicap bow at Cork from last time out and should be better suited by going up another 2 furlongs in trip. She was arguably unlucky to only finish fifth last time out, when short of room at a crucial stage, and this could be her chance to gain quick compensation. At a price of 6/1 with Ladbrokes, who are offering 4 places – she should be backed each way.