4th October - Tralee Review (Adam Weave)

4th October – Tralee

Going: Soft to Heavy (Times suggest Heavy)

Cosmic String won the first race of the day. The performance was creditable and he has recently gone on to run well on the flat at the Curragh. Dermot Weld has described him as a late developing horse in the past, so I would expect possible further improvement. I would imagine that they would be best going the handicap route with him where he may be able to pick up further prize money. Aside from the winner, the second and third horses could prove more worthy of following. The second Hollywood Law would have been unsuited by the going and will definitely be seen in a better light on a firmer surface. The most pleasing effort in my opinion however came from Shuil Aris, as a valuable Punchestown Bumper winner on her sole start before today, she is sure to improve on this first run and strip a lot fitter when next seen. I would expect a few winners to come from this race.

Low Expectations won a slightly uninspiring handicap hurdle. I would by no means rule out another win from him, as trainer Eric McNamara is a force to be reckoned with once he gets a horse on a roll. Genger, the Tony Martin second string on appearance, was backed in and rewarded support in finishing second, whilst more fancied runner Tom Kit drifted in the betting. Third Level Tom couldn’t reward the shrew Byrnes stable’s confidence. Not a race to be getting carried away with however, and best to keep an eye on the winner as a possible improved performer.

The second division of this race proved to be a weaker run affair. The winner After Midnight was heavily waited with by Ruby Walsh and produced very late to pounce on the line with a lot left to do when turning for home. It is hard to equate whether or not the performance was note worthy however, as it will remain to be seen how the handicapper will react to the style of this win. If not heavily penalised the winner could have more handicap successes if he can find improvement and doesn’t get too much weight. As a word of warning Tony Martin has described as being a bit weak so weight carrying may be a bit of a problem for the moment until he strengthens up. Do however bare in mind that Tony Martin may have been hoping the handicapper reads that comment.

Moore’s Law landed the Tralee Hurdle in convincing fashion. I’d be inclined to see his future as cautionary. I’d see that his trainer is training for who I’d imagine is his wife and although a decent run and a fairly consistent sort, he seems to have been injured and then bought back into the stable from the previous owner. No doubt he will provide them with some winter fun though and he has shown ability in the past. The soft going may have eased any pain in his old legs. An appropriate comment, that also applies to another winner later on the card.

Swiss Hall landed the final handicap hurdle of the day, in what was possibly her last start over hurdles for a while. John Kiely feels she is now handicapped over hurdles, leading to the choice to try fences. Whilst race fit, and in form, she recently ran with credit in a flat race stocked full of reasonable jumpers. Coconut Beach ran a fair race back in third and hinted that maybe he was finally in getting back into better heart, it would be fair to expect him to go close in his next few runs.

Clochmhaoil Castle registered a nice success in the beginners chase. Without wanting to get carried away, this appeared to be a good performance from a horse that has clearly had his training problems. Paul Nolan feels he is possibly handicapped over hurdles and thinks it’s worth giving chasing a go. If he run’s anywhere near this performance next time he will be hard to beat. I have however noticed a possible hurdles engagement at Wexford in his entries, which intrigues me. In behind was the consistent Little Alou, firming up the idea that this was a good performance. Lace Your Boots continues to frustrate meanwhile.

Mountain Rose won a poor handicap chase, which appears a race to avoid on form. Renepogel may eventually find a very poor race around a tight track to win.