22nd October - Clonmel Review (AW)

22nd October – Clonmel

Going: Soft (Yielding to Soft in places on Chase) (Times suggest all around soft)

Quite an average card at Clonmel, with very little to enthuse about. The opener went to Buck Breeze, this was a fair performance and with Tom Foley’s horses in form the horse could progress again to pick up another race. Not an easy individual on the racecourse by all accounts however. He beat home the supported Mister Month who is totally frustrating and really struggles to get his head in front. The rest look an average bunch.

The well regarded Clopf didn’t have much to beat in the novice hurdle and opened his account in easy fashion. The performance looked good but the time performance wasn’t spectacular, he could do no more than win however, and his first time jumping was nice. Aitmatov is probably now settled since moving from France and should come on from the run and find a similar race. Remember this was not close to prospective graded company standards however.

I watched the third race with great interest, as I was close to betting on the eventual second Ilringuback. I feared that his inexperienced rider Denis Hogan might not be able to give him the ride he probably desired. This was a fact that was born out in the run in and along the back straight. The eventual winner Minnie Turbo had won two runs back, and may now find herself handicapped over hurdles. Chasing has been suggested. The race was poor but I will keep a watchful eye on Ilringuback, although I would now fear his opportunity has been missed.

Supreme Tan flopped in the handicap hurdle leaving Designer Grey and Killiney Ranger to fight out the finish. Although the performance was all right the form should be taken with a note of caution as neither had shown anything particular in terms of form in the past.

Aimees Mark can often run well fresh and was produced in fine form by Fran Flood, he collared Chevaux Loco who looked set to win until downing tools on the run in. He looks a tricky customer. Rock On Tom is probably the one to take from the race; he should pick up a weak race at some point.

Possibly the nicest performance on the day came from Mossbank, who made a winning debut over fences and went some way towards fulfilling the potential his trainer, Michael Hourigan, has always felt he had. Hourigan think’s a lot of Mossbank but won’t get too carried away. We have seen some equally good novice performances so far this season but this was one of the better staying performances. Vedelle is worth keeping an eye on back in second. Some Legend was in the process of running a good race on his debut before coming down at the third last. Remember though, following unlucky last time out fallers is the way to the poor house!