MICHAEL - Clonmel 2.22 Handicap Hurdle - 2 miles 3 furlongs - Heavy (rain until mid morning) - 16 run (3 reserves)

 

With 16 declared and 3 reserves there will be some enhanced places to attack and there are 4 of the 16 runners I am most keen on here.

 

Clonmel is a bit like a big dipper, a steep uphill climb out of the home straight, a steep downhill section in to the right hand home bend where it's easy to use up too much energy and then a subtle but not insignificant climb back up to the finish.

 

At the head of the market in the probably very Heavy ground I am happy to take on Bite That and Kitsilano as I don't think either will exactly love the mud. Kopon is of more interest and I've added it to the TRACKER as it ran best race 3rd time out last season and may just still need this but a danger on the day too. I'm also adding Kate Ill Know to the TRACKER, she has decent Course form but a 210 day break and previous evidence suggests this race will be needed.

 

Cornmarket ran a bit better last time out and will be a danger and Gendarme may benefit from a  drop in trip but doesn't jump out of the page in these conditions.

 

My 4 against the field including a couple of big priced shrapnel horses are , PANA TO MILAN who has had a nice opener over fences, runs of a nice and competitive Hurdles mark and the trip and Going hold no fears for me. EDDIES PRIDE is a better Chaser than Hurdler BUT has proven stamina at up to 3 miles , has had a run so race fit, the trip in the Going should not be too short and it's the most likely to be staying on up the final climb and it's Hurdle mark based on earlier hurdles form gives it an excellent chance. It might turn out to be an excellent bit of placement by connections.

 

For some shrapnel each way I think that both KADYS DIRHA, whose 2 best runs have been here at Clonmel over 2 miles and 3 miles may have found the optimum trip and PERFECT PUPIL who admittedly has yet to deliver much at all under Rules does have one bit of very interesting P2P form beaten only by a couple of nice types now with Skelton and McCain respectively in the UK. There might be some ability there with this one!

 

Tips (1) Pana To Milan / (2) Eddies Pride / (3s) Kadys Dirha / (4s) Gendarme