I think the first thing to say is that the 2 Divisions of this race have very much stacked to make this one far tougher than the 4.20 race. There are 4 or 5 in here that I think have strong claims, mainly some old favourites who are consistent and have delivered enough wins and places in the past to be "in profit" overall for us. Indeed had the split between the 2 Divisions spread more kindly for us, I think we'd have been very confident of some nice each way enhanced place profit.

 

I'm drawn to 5 of the 22 runners in this heat in addition to the market leader Emancipator and second favourite Memory Of Youth who both have strong claims but who aren't great value.

 

My shortlist of 5 in order of preference are, LADY L'EROM who was 3rd last time when in the Tracker at 18/1. It has an obvious each way chance on a series of solid runs under very similar conditions and trip and if maintaining that level of consistency can go very close. I just prefer it to MY NEWBROOK ROSE who has finished 4th of 16 here over a shorter trip on 2 miles 5 furlongs but who was runner up at Fairyhouse last time over 3 miles just in front of Lady L'Erom.

 

GLENABO BRIDGE is a Course and Distance winner off a mark of 93 last January has run solidly off higher marks since just in and out of enhanced big field places and back off a mark of 90 here holds another strong each way chance. I just prefer that to Betterask JJ who may still need a few pounds off the handicapper and may just be better at that 2miles 5 furlongs type trip. If there is one at bigger / big Odds who I think could outrun Odds it's STOLEN MOMENT who is another slowly coming down to its last winning mark, has shown improved form last time and gets perfect conditions. My main niggle is the 69 day break and it may juuuuust need this.

 

How to compare with the 4.20 Race....well any of those would have been a tip in the 4.20 which looks infinitely weaker to me and I really think that with luck in running that COURTING VICKIE and SMASH THE LAMP will be very tough to beat and I have Rose Milan and Ask The Answer as the only real dangers but if there is a "lurker" it may be Rosfoyle...

 

So how to stake those 2 races?...