Tipperary – Monday 4th October

A mixed bag on Sunday as the brilliant Prix De L’Arc de Triomphe caused a massive shock with an 80/1 winner. Hurricane Lane, who for so long had been my selection for the race, ran a stormer to finish third and was probably inconvenienced by the stop start gallop of the race. We also had a winner at Killarney in the most facile of fashions, as Wa Wa was ultra impressive to win the Beginners Chase under Bryan Cooper. Racing continues on the flat at Tipperary today, and I have just the two selections on a light day of action.

At this time of the year, I will be looking more towards National Hunt events but the action is poor on both sides of the Irish sea, and instead Tipperary was the most notable call. Starting with the 3.05, which is a lucrative handicap over 1m1f for horses rated between 70-100. Plenty of these animals have had form from premier handicaps this year, so it is not surprising to see this event so well supported and looking as tricky as it is. My Holy Fox arrives in great form after back to back wins for Jessie Harrington, while Teed Up looked a very progressive horse last year and you couldn’t rule out further improvement on his favoured ground in the later months of this season.

However, the consistent Yafordadoe is the selection in this race, and he ran a stormer for us on the back of a long absence at Listowel last time out behind Rebellito. He had been off a while going into that race and showed a lot of ring rust throughout the early stages of that race before finishing off very well. The big question to answer on this occasion is the trip of 1m1f, as it may well prove to be a little bit short on this occasion. He has proved to be a strong stayer over 1m4f in previous tries, so he will have to be forward with the pace to have a chance of upholding his position. However, if they go hard, which I expect them to do – it may set it up for a guaranteed stayer and the softening ground will aid his chances. At a price of 7/1 with Coral, who are offering 5 places, he should be backed each way.

The 3.35 at Tipperary is the featured Concorde Stakes over the extended 7 furlongs and looks a good renewal of the Group 3 event. Maker of Kings is a worthy favourite in this contest, as his recent form and his ratings would suggest he must have a massive chance at this level. He will also be at home in these conditions and despite the fact that he has to give weight away to all his rivals, could take a fair amount of beating in this contest. 

However, the selection is Casanova for the recent Group 1 winning trainer of Ado McGuinness, who saddled A Case of You to win the Abbaye only yesterday and arrives here in terrific form. This horse has also been in fabulous form, finding a real purple patch with wins at Galway and Punchestown, before a respectable third last time over 1m1f in a Listed contest. The return to this trip should suit this horse much better and the run at Listowel last time out was messy, so there are more than enough reasons to be optimistic that a good run could well be on the cards. At a price of 14/1 with Ladbrokes, who are offering 4 places – he should also be backed each way.