1/3/21 Punchestown

 The weekend ended on a poor note with my selection Street's Of Doyen coming 6th. The 14/1 chance tracked the leaders early but dropped to last two out. He picked up one place at the last but made no impression. The race was won by the 11/8 favourite Echoes In Rain.

 The week begins with 7 races at Punchestown.The weather put pay to this meeting last Wednesday and so the highlight on Monday is the opening contest at 1.45 when 9 line-up for the rescheduled Quevega Mares Hurdle. Black Tears is a useful horse who was below form when finishing third in the EBF Mares Hurdle at Leopardstown at the end of December,she should bounce back and is a big player here. Great White Shark has picked up one win from two runs this season that was a very good 3 length victory at Newmarket back in October, a 7th placed finish in the John Mulhern Galmoy Hurdle at Gowran Park at the end of January can be overlooked and she is the main challenger. Global Equity returns after finishing a very creditable 2nd in a listed hurdle at Navan just over a week ago and should make her presence felt. The other one to look at is Lunar Display who was a very good third in the same Navan hurdle eight days ago and definitely has a good chance here as well.

Big race prediction: 3: Black Tears. 

28/2/21 Naas

 The big race on Saturday saw my selection Acapella Bourgeois win the Bobbyjo Chase for the second time. The 6/4 favourite was always challenging and eventually took a decisive lead 2 out. He stayed on well to beat Burrows Saint by 4 3/4 lengths. 

 We round off the weekend with 8 races at Naas where the big contest comes at 3.00 when 7 line-up for the Paddy Power Betting Shop Novice Hurdle. Streets Of Doyen arrives looking for his fifth win in a row after a 3 1/2 length victory at Cheltenham back in October and he should take the step up in Grade in his stride making him the one to beat. Echoes In Rain was a useful flat horse winning twice and matched that form when she won her second race over hurdles by a massive 15 lengths here at Naas back in December, she ran well to claim 4th in the Grade 2 Moscow Flyer Novice Hurdle at Punchestown last time out and is the main challenger here. The only other one to keep an eye on is Razzle Dazzle Love who is a useful hurdler picking up 2 wins from 6 runs this season her last was a hurdle at Punchestown at the beginning of December. She was a very creditable 6th when last seen at Leopardstown 21 days ago and it would be no surprise if she came home in front here.

Big race prediction: 4: Streets Of Doyen. 

27/2/21 Fairyhouse

 The week ended with my selection Blackstone Cliff coming 2nd. The 10/3 shot was 5th at halfway and went into the lead 1 1/2 furlongs out. He lost top spot inside the final furlong losing to the 15/8 favourite Tartlette by 3 1/4 lengths. 

 Saturday sees 8 races at Fairyhouse and despite the addition of two contests from the postponed Red Mills card at Gowran Park the standout race is the 2.52 when 5 start the Bobbyjo Chase. Acapella Bourgeois won this race by a commanding 15 lengths last year and showed hints of his best when fifth in a handicap at Gowran Park 30 days and he gets the nod here ahead of his stablemate Burrows Saint who's two starts this season have been over hurdles a second at Clonmel followed by a sixth at Gowran Park at the end of January,he returns to chasing here in preparation for his Grand National bid so a stronger showing is expected. The only other one with a good chance is Anibale Fly a very smart chaser who was second in the Cheltenham Gold Cup and fifth in the Grand National in 2019 and makes his comeback after 11 months off ahead of another run at Aintree so he shouldn't be discounted. 

Big race prediction: 1: Acapella Bourgeois. 

26/2/21 Dundalk

 Thursday was a good day with my selection Grand Paradis winning. The 7/2 chance led from 2 out and despite a slight mistake at the last he kept on strongly on the run-in and easily came home by 13 lengths. 

 Despite the loss of Gowran Park one meeting does survive the weather on Friday with 8 races taking place at Dundalk, the highlight comes at 4.30 when 9 begin the Willie Buckley Memorial Handicap. Blackstone Cliff has a good record at Dundalk winning twice his last was by 1 3/4 lengths at the beginning of this month. He was second to Spelga (who goes again here) 9 days ago and should be well up there in this one. Longclaw won three in a row over hurdles in 2020 at Roscommon, Down Royal and Listowel. With this being his handicap debut and a first run for a new yard he is definitely one to consider. The other with a good chance is Tower Of Pisa her latest win was here at Dundalk in early December by an easy 6 1/2 lengths. Her only run since then was a 4th place in a handicap here 21 days ago. Progress is expected and she could definitely spring a surprise. 

Big race prediction: 8: Blackstone Cliff.

25/2/21 Thurles

 As I said in my post yesterday it wasn't looking good weather wise for Gowran Park on Friday and today the inevitable announcement was made. Red Mills day is off with the Red Mills Hurdle transferring to Fairyhouse on Saturday with the rest of the card scheduled to take place at Gowran Park on Tuesday. 

 After Wednesday's postponement at Punchestown (the meeting will now take place on Monday) our next action is 7 races at Thurles on Thursday where the highlight comes at 3.50 when 8 begin the Markaye Contracts Ltd Michael Purcell Memorial Novice Hurdle. Grand Paradis is a promising horse who was impressive when winning at Fairyhouse 17 days ago,he comfortably came home by 9 lengths there with plenty more to offer he should take the step up in class in his stride making him hard to beat here. Goodbye Someday has picked up 3 wins from 7 runs this season his last was at Kilbeggan back in September since then he was a good second at Tipperary and a below form third at Cork when last seen at the beginning of November,despite that run he has an excellent chance. The other one to consider is Limestone Rock who arrives here after winning at Naas at the end of January by an easy 5 lengths and with further progress expected don't overlook him in this one.

Big race prediction: 6: Grand Paradis. 

Weather update

 I had a preview all ready to put up for Wednesday's meeting at Punchestown that was until 5.00 when the card was called off. An afternoon of heavy rain (21mm fell) and a further 10-15mm forecast left the track waterlogged,Punchestown are hoping to reschedule the meeting for next week. The news isn't much better for Red Mills day at Gowran Park on Friday 22mm of rain has already fallen with more to come and the track is currently unfit for racing. Fingers are crossed for Thurles on Thursday the ground is heavy after 11mm of rain with 5mm forecast before the meeting so hopefully that will go ahead I'll put up a preview on Wednesday night.

22/2/21 Result

 The week got off to a very poor start with my selection Where It all Began coming 9th. The 6/4 favourite was never up with the leaders his best position was 7th 3 out. He weakened further dropping two places and he had to watch the 9/2 chance Dom Of Mary win beating Hi Ho Phoenix by 4 1/4 lengths. 

 After today's action there is nothing scheduled for Tuesday in Ireland however there are meetings in England at Taunton, Wetherby and an evening card at Newcastle for you to enjoy. The next Irish meeting is Quevega Mares Hurdle day at Punchestown on Wednesday I will put a preview of that up on Tuesday night.

22/2/21 Fairyhouse

In the big race on Sunday my selection Beacon Edge won. The 15/8 chance was prominent all the way sitting 2nd,he closed up on the straight and stayed on well chasing down Fury Road. He moved into the lead near the finish winning by a neck.

 Another action packed week begins with 7 races at Fairyhouse on Monday where the big contest is the 5.00 when 12 start the Follow Fairyhouse On Facebook & Instagram I.N.H. Flat. Where It All Began made a promising start to his career when he finished 2nd in a bumper at Limerick 56 days ago,improvement is expected and he should go one better here. Fair Frontieres showed he could be a very good horse when he was an unlucky 2nd on his debut at Navan at the end of January he lost by a head that day and is the main  challenger here. The other one with a good chance is Hi Ho Phoenix who was an excellent 3rd on debut on this course 37 days ago he goes up in trip here and can definitely make his presence felt. 5 of the field make their debuts in this race Croagh Patrick, Dom Of Mary,Hard Lines,Mr Palm and Pomerol George all look good on paper so it will be interesting to see how they all run.

Big race prediction: 12: Where It All Began.

21/2/21 Navan

 After a day of no action on Saturday the weekend ends with an 8 race card at Navan where the standout contest is the 2.47 when 8 begin the Ladbrokes Ireland Boyne Hurdle. Beacon Edge is a smart horse who has won once over this races distance in his career that was at Galway back in October, his last run was a third in the Limestone Lad Hurdle at Naas 21 days ago he was unsuited by the drop in trip there but going back up to 2 miles 5 will suit. The obvious threat in the field is Fury Road who has picked up one win from two runs this season that was at Punchestown in November where he was a very good 3 1/2 lengths in front. His last run was 55 days ago at Leopardstown where he was 4th in the Christmas Hurdle and he has an excellent chance. All sentimental eyes will be on Tiger Roll who won this race in 2019 before going on to victory in the Grand National and his target is the April showpiece again. He was pulled up in his last race at Cheltenham 100 days ago but despite that this top-class chaser still has a very good chance. 

Big race prediction: 2: Beacon Edge.

Weekend update

 The week came to a close with my selection Big Gossey winning. The 10/1 shot was 3rd at the halfway stage and made a challenge 1 1/2 furlongs out. He led narrowly and kept on well under pressure inside the final furlong he held on to beat Fastman and Wonder Elzaam who couldn't be separated and finished joint 2nd.

 We should have kicked off the weekend with Red Mills day at Gowran Park on Saturday but the rain has had it's say again. The downpours continued on Thursday night and by this morning there had been 14mm with a further 12 to 13mm forecast for Friday leaving the track waterlogged and the clerk of the course no choice but to abandon the meeting. The card will now take place next Friday February 26th. There is more positive news for Navan on Sunday they have only had half the rainfall that Gowran Park has had with only 10mm forecast before Sunday, the ground is currently heavy so fingers crossed the meeting is on and I will put up a preview on Saturday night.

19/2/21 Dundalk

 My selection Brazos didn't run on Thursday as the meeting at Clonmel was called off. After 17mm of overnight rain the track was declared unfit for racing and the card was abandoned. 

 We were supposed to have 2 meetings on Friday but the overnight rain affected Limerick as well with 12mm falling the course is waterlogged and the meeting was called off early on Thursday, however an 8 race card at Dundalk does go ahead where the main event is the 5.30 when 9 start the Join Us On Instagram @Dundalk Stadium Handicap. Big Gossey was a very respectable 4th on this course two weeks ago,that race showed he was heading back towards his best form and he should go well again. Alfredo Arcano has won 5 times over this course and race distance,his last three runs have been 3rd place finishes here including in a minor event at the beginning of this month and he is definitely the main challenger on his return to handicap company. Woodrow is the other one to keep an eye on he was at his best when winning a 13 runner maiden over this course and distance 39 days ago where a strong final furlong saw him come home by 4 3/4 lengths. He has a big chance here if he can carry on his recent improvement.

Big race prediction: 7: Big Gossey. 

18/2/21 Clonmel

 There was controversy on Wednesday as my selection Star Harbour crossed the line 1st but after a lengthy steward's inquiry he was demoted to 2nd. The 8/13 favourite led a furlong out but his rider lost his whip just over 100 yards from the finish and he bumped rival Barretstown in the closing stages. So despite holding on to finish a short head in front the record books will show that Barretstown was the winner at 3/1.

 The week continues with a 7 race card at Clonmel where the main event comes at 2.55 when 6 start the Surehaul Mercedes Benz Novice Hurdle. Brazos is a promising horse who just held on to win by a nose when last seen at Navan 20 days ago he goes up to 3 miles here which should suit giving him an excellent chance. Minella Escape has picked up one win from three runs this season that came last time out at Tramore on new year's day where he was a comfortable 7 lengths in front,he should progress making him the main challenger here. The other one with a chance is Ragnar Lodbrok who picked up his only win at Galway back in October he followed that up with two second place finishes at Cork before moving up to grade one company where he was a well-beaten fifth in the Lawlor's of Naas Novice Hurdle 36 days ago,despite that he should go well here. 

Big race prediction: 1: Brazos. 

17/2/21 Dundalk

 After a day's break the action returns with 8 races at Dundalk on Wednesday where the highlight is the final race on the card at 6.00 when 5 begin the Hollywoodbets Horse Racing And Sports Betting Handicap. Star Harbour has had all his three runs on this course his best was 12 days ago when he finished 3rd,there is plenty more to come on this his handicap debut and he should open his account. Barretstown has yet to win in his career but he did post a respectable 4th here at the beginning of this month so should definitely be considered. Ben Siegel is another one making his handicap debut his best finish so far was a 9th here 37 days ago going sightly up in trip means he shouldn't be dismissed. The other two both have something to prove,Falsaron was last in a minor event here 19 days ago he also makes the move to handicap's in this one while Kadupul was a winner on his debut at Yarmouth in June last year and was a good 4th at Pontefract on his last run back in October. The combination of being off 135 days and this being his first polytrack start means he will need to pull off a good performance. 

Big race prediction: 3: Star Harbour. 

15/2/21 Results

 The week got off to a fair start,in the 2.30 Shopping Around was 10th at the halfway stage he didn't have a fluent run and he was pulled up entering the straight. The race was won by the 10/1 shot Espion Du Chenet. At 3.35 Capilano Bridge came 2nd. The 13/2 chance disputed the lead early until he made a mistake 5 out. By 2 out he was challenging again but he was bumped by a rival and lost all momentum losing by 3 1/2 lengths to Velvet Elvis.

After today's racing there is no more in Ireland until Wednesday. There are meetings on Tuesday at Carlisle where the big contests are the 1.00 and the 1.35. At Catterick the 2.15 and 3.15 take centre stage where there are also 7 races at both Kempton and Newcastle for your entertainment. The next Irish meeting will be at Dundalk my preview of that will be up tomorrow night.

15/2/21 Thurles

In the big race on Sunday my selection Screaming Colours came 2nd. The 9/1 shot was in midfield until 3 out when he was 5th. He stayed on well to challenge at the last,he was soon disputing the lead but could only hold on to 2nd in the closing stages the race was won by the 5/2 favourite The Big Dog.

 Another Irish racing week begins with 7 races at Thurles on Monday, this meeting should have taken place last Thursday but significant snowfall left the track unfit for racing. The main event is the 3.35 when 8 begin the rescheduled Horse & Jockey Rated Novice Hurdle. All the big runners go again with Capilano Bridge still my pick although Capodanno,Slige Dala and Broomfields Jeremy all have a chance in a highly competitive race. The other contest to look out for on the card is the 2.30 when 14 start the Racing Again February 25th Handicap Chase. Three standout here,Shopping Around was a good second to Espion Du Chenet at Naas 63 days ago and both go again here with the same 1-2 a distinct possibility while Chalky White last picked up a win at Limerick on Boxing day coming home by 4 lengths. His last run was a very creditable 3rd at Naas 33 days ago so he should definitely be taken seriously. 

Big race predictions: 2.30: 5: Shopping Around  3.35: 5: Capilano Bridge. 

14/2/21 Punchestown

 The weekend began well with my selection Elimay winning. The 8/15 favourite travelled smoothly and was 2nd 2 out. She went into the lead soon after and stayed on well easily coming home by 5 1/2 lengths. After her impressive victory she was trimmed from 7/2 down to 3/1 for the first ever running of the Mares Chase at the Cheltenham Festival next month. 

 The weekend draws to a close with 8 races at Punchestown on Sunday where the highlight comes at 4.30 when 21 begin the Punchestown Grand National Trial Handicap Chase. Screaming Colours has run all his 3 races this season on this course picking up one win,that was in November when he was impressive coming home by 8 1/2 lengths. His last run was a very good second 28 days ago and going sightly up in trip should suit giving him an excellent chance. Nick Lost comes here after finishing a very creditable 3rd at Thurles at the end of January after a 668 day break. Going significantly up in trip means he has to be taken seriously in this one. The other one of note is The Big Dog who's last run was a good 3rd in a novice chase at Navan 16 days ago he makes his handicap chase debut here and should definitely be considered. 

Big race prediction: 14: Screaming Colours. 

13/2/21 Naas

 The week ended with my selection Major Power coming 2nd. The 7/1 chance led until the closing stages when he was passed by the 22/1 shot Well Suited who won by 1/2 a length. It was also announced today that the meeting called off at Fairyhouse on Wednesday will now take place on Monday February 22nd.

 The weekend begins with 8 races at Naas on Saturday and if the course passes a 7.30am inspection then the highlight will be the 1.40 when just 5 start the Bba Ireland Limited Opera Hat Mares Chase. Elimay headed towards the top of the betting for the inaugural mares chase at Cheltenham next month after finishing a very good second behind Allaho in the Kinloch Brae at Thurles 17 days ago a repeat of that performance along with a drop down in trip will make her difficult to beat here. Shattered Love has picked up one win from three runs this season that came at Clonmel in November where she easily came home by 10 lengths, a below form 12th place finish in a handicap hurdle at Navan 70 days ago can largely be forgotten as she makes her chasing return here and is a big player. The other one to keep an eye on is Yukon Lil who picked up her only win this season at Cork in late November and needs to bounce back after being pulled up before the last at Thurles at the end of January in a race won by Colreevy. Despite that she still has a good chance.

Big race prediction: 1: Elimay. 

12/2/21 Dundalk

 My selection on Thursday Capilano Bridge didn't run as the meeting at Thurles was called off. After passing an initial inspection at 7.30am further snowfall meant another one was needed at noon by then the course was unfit for racing and the meeting was abandoned. The card will now take place on Monday. 

 After today's abandoned card the next racing is at Dundalk on Friday where the main event is the 6.00 when 13 begin the Irishinjuredjockeys.com Handicap. Major Power is a 4 time winner on this course his last was in February last year,since then he has picked up two second place finishes here including a very good run in a handicap 2 weeks ago and is definitely the one to beat. Tyrconnell also likes Dundalk and achieved his career best win here at the end of January and he should be up there again. The other big player should be Bobby K who returns to the course where he won a 14 runner handicap 21 days ago,that was over this races one mile distance. He came home by 1 1/4 lengths on that occasion and should not be overlooked here. Of the others the main challenger could be Foreign Legion who has won twice on this course his last was in December by 2 1/2 lengths,he was a very good second here to Well Suited when last seen two weeks ago and can make his presence felt.

Big race prediction: 5: Major Power.

11/2/21 Thurles

 After a few days break the action returns at Thurles on Thursday and if the track passes a 7.30am inspection then the highlight will be the 3.20 when 8 begin the Horse & Jockey Rated Novice Hurdle. Capilano Bridge has picked up 2 wins from 5 runs this season his last was a handicap hurdle at Naas just 11 days ago where he came home by 4 1/4 lengths,he goes up in trip here but is the one to beat. Capodanno looked useful when winning at Clonmel 23 days ago he is still open to further improvement and is the main challenger. Slige Dala is the other one to look at he has 3 wins already this season at Galway, Killarney and Listowel and was an excellent second in a 9 runner handicap hurdle when last seen at Leopardstown 44 days ago so he definitely shouldn't be overlooked. The one who could surprise them all is Broomfields Jeremy a useful hurdler who was at his best when winning at Clonmel in mid January, he destroyed the field by 13 lengths that day and should go well again here.

Big race prediction: 5: Capilano Bridge. 

Midweek update

 The week began with my selection Royal Kahala finishing 2nd. The 11/10 favourite disputed the lead 2 out and was 2nd approaching the last. She made no impression on the run-in and saw the race won by the 17/2 chance Roseys Hollow.

 After today's meeting at Fairyhouse there is no more action in Ireland until Thursday that is because there is nothing scheduled for Tuesday with meetings at Kempton and Taunton (both have 8am inspections) with an evening card at Southwell for your entertainment while on Wednesday we were supposed to return to Fairyhouse for 7 races but the inside track is waterlogged (today's meeting was on the main track ) and the meeting has been abandoned. 

 Next up for us is a 7 race card at Thurles and if that survives the weather my preview will be up on Wednesday night. 

8/2/21 Fairyhouse

 It was another good day for the favourites at Leopardstown with 3 out of 4 winning. In the 1.40 Quiloxios was an easy 5 1/2 length winner while at 2.10 Appreciate It came home by 3 1/4 lengths.  Monkfish romped home in the Flogas Novice Chase by 11 lengths beating Latest Exhibition for the second time with the only favourite not winning being Minella Indo who finished 4th in the Irish Gold Cup a race won by the 11/4 shot Kemboy. 

 After a busy and exciting weekend the racing continues with 8 races at Fairyhouse on Monday where the feature is at 2.30 when 9 begin the Race Displays Solerina Mares Novice Hurdle. Royal Kahala is a promising horse who has picked up 3 wins from 4 runs this season all of them on this course her last was her career best 36 days ago,there is plenty more to come and she should win again here. Gauloise has won both her starts in Ireland and is the main threat,her last run was 50 days ago where she beat Mighty Blue who goes again here by 3 lengths and if she travels well on the run-in this time as well  then she will challenge. The pick of the rest is Roseys Hollow who was at her best when winning here on her last run in mid January. She was an easy 4 length winner that day and will progress further and could upset the main two in this one.

Big race prediction: 1: Royal Kahala.

7/2/21 Leopardstown

 It was a good day for the favourites on Saturday as all of them won. Gaillard Du Mesnil came home by 5 lengths in the opener,Chacun Pour Soi won the Dublin Chase for the second year romping home by 8 lengths while Energumere went 2 better easily winning by 10 lengths. In the main event the Irish Champion Hurdle Honeysuckle made it 10 wins in a row with a majestic 10 length victory. 

 It's another fantastic day at Leopardstown on Sunday with day 2 of the Dublin Racing Festival and four more Grade one's. The first is at 1.40 when 6 start the Tattersalls Ireland Spring Juvenile Hurdle. Quilixios should make it 4 wins in a row here after an easy 20 length victory at Down Royal in October but his main challenger is Youmdor who won his hurdles debut by 16 lengths at Gowran Park in November. These two should battle it out for the top spots with Ha D'or chasing them home. 2.10 sees 16 go to post for the Chanelle Pharma Novice Hurdle (also know as the Brave Inca.) This is all about one horse Appreciate It who made it 2 from 2 over hurdles in impressive fashion in the Grade 1 Future Champions Novice Hurdle here at Leopardstown 42 days ago and will take some stopping in this one. The biggest danger comes from  stablemate Blue Lord who made a successful start over hurdles at Punchestown in November and finished a 6 1/2 length second in a Grade 1 at Naas last time out and dropping back to 2 miles gives him an excellent chance. At 3.10 9 begin the Flogas Novice Chase,Monkfish is the one to beat having picked up his 5th win in a row here in the Neville Hotels Novice Chase at the end of December he beat Latest Exhibition by 3 lengths and the Paul Nolan trained horse should be the main challenger again although Andy Dufresne and Asterion Forlonge shouldn't be overlooked. The main event comes at 3.40 with 5 runners in the Paddy Power Irish Gold Gup. Minella Indo was one of last seasons best staying novice chasers the highlight was a very good second in the RSA Chase at Cheltenham. 25 length and 7 1/2 length wins in his first two runs this season showed promise again so a fall here in the Savills Chase can be forgotten and he gets the nod. Last year's 1-2 Delta Work and Kemboy run again and will make their presence felt in a highly competitive race.

It's a second day to sit back and savour the action so I hope you enjoy it. 

6/2/21 Leopardstown

 The week ended on a high note with my selection Harry's Bar winning. The 11/8 joint favourite was a 3 length second at the halfway stage but he pushed along and made a challenge leading just over a furlong out. He was soon clear and easily beat the other joint favourite Speak In Colours by 3 1/4 lengths. 

 It's the biggest weekend of the year so far with day one of the Dublin Racing Festival at Leopardstown with 8 Grade one's spread over the two days. The first is the opener at 1.05 on Saturday when 13 line-up for the Nathaniel Lacy & Partners Solicitors '€50,000 Cheltenham Bonus For Stable Staff' Novice Hurdle. The standout horse here is Gaillard Du Mesnil who showed serious potential when winning here in late December but he does have much better competition in this one from the likes of Stattler, Cape Gentleman and Holymacapony in a cracking race that is anybody's. At 1.35 6 run in the Ladbrokes Dublin Chase. Chacun Pour Soi is looking to win this race for the second year running and cement his place as the best 2 mile chaser and probably will although his stablemate Min along with Notebook and Tornado Flyer will have something to say about that in one of the festival highlights. 2.10 sees 9 start the Patrick Ward & Co Solicitors Irish Arkle Novice Chase. Energumene beat two of his rivals for this race Captain Guinness and Blackbow at Naas last month and should do again here with two other Willie Mullins trained runners Unexpected and Franco De Port challenging. The big race of the day is at 3.15 when 6 go to post for the Chanelle Pharma Irish Champion Hurdle. Honeysuckle won this race last year and has since gone on to extend her winning run to 9 from 9 starts with a victory at Fairyhouse in late November and she should make it a perfect 10 here. Sharjah is the main threat after winning a third successive Matheson Hurdle here in December,Saint Roi and Abacadabras who both run in this were beaten on that day and if Sharjah is anywhere near his best then we are in for a close race, 

On afternoons like this it's very difficult to pick winners with so many highly competitive contests so just sit back and watch what will be a brilliant card.

5/2/21 Dundalk

 On Thursday my selection Itsalonglongroad came 3rd. The 11/2 shot was prominent early on and led after the 4th however he made no impression after dropping to 2nd 2 out. He had no extra on the run-in losing a place in the closing stages, the race was won by the 7/1 chance Stansfield. 

 Another week ends with 8 races at Dundalk on Friday where the big contest is the final one of the night at 7.30 when 5 start the dundalkstadium.com Race. Harry's Bar didn't need to be at his best when winning over this course and distance 91 days ago,he beat Laugh A Minute by a neck that day and he gets the nod here. Speak In Colours is a smart horse who has picked up 7 wins from 23 flat runs in his career however he needs to bounce back after finishing 11th in the Champions Sprint Stakes at Ascot when last seen in mid October. The combination of being off for 111 days and making his polytrack debut still makes him a decent prospect. Alfredo Arcano loves Dundalk having won 5 times over this races 6 furlong distance in his career. His last run was a very respectable 3rd here two weeks ago and if he is allowed his own way at the front he could be dangerous. 

Big race prediction: 2: Harry's Bar.

4/1/21 Down Royal

 With 10mm of rain forecast overnight there is a precautionary inspection at Down Royal at 7.30 on Thursday morning. If the track passes and racing is on then the main event will be the 3.00 when 9 begin the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Rated Novice Chase. Itsalonglongroad looked impressive when picking up his second win this season at Tramore 34 days ago coming home by 1 3/4 lengths. He has shown himself to be a useful chaser and is the one to beat here. Cavalry Master will look to bounce back after un seating his rider at the 6th when last seen at Limerick at the end of December,his last win was at Punchestown in November 2019 and if he can recreate that form and show how good he is over hurdles then he has a big chance. The other one to look at is Stansfield who is a fair chaser and showed that when he achieved his career best finish a creditable 3rd at Cork 33 days ago there is definitely more to come and he could spring a surprise here. 

Big race prediction: 7: Itsalonglongroad. 

1/2/21 Racing update

The week got off to a good start with my selection Shackleton Hero winning. The 1/4 favourite moved into the lead 1 1/2 furlongs from the finish. He moved clear a furlong out and despite pressure from the 66/1 chance Approbare he comfortably came home by 1 1/4 lengths. 

 After today's meeting there is no more Irish action until Thursday that is because Tuesday's card at Limerick was called off early on Monday as heavy showers overnight had made the track unfit for racing and with 12-15mm of rain forecast before the scheduled start of the meeting the decision was taken to abandon,there is however racing at Newcastle and Southwell.With no action on Wednesday the next racing should be at Down Royal on Thursday but with the weather as it is that may not happen. If the meeting is still on I will put up a preview on Wednesday night.