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12:35 Punchestown
Away from the TV tips there is some competitive racing over in Ireland. The first race we take in is a two mile handicap. Rupert Lamb is the favourite and represents the Mullins and Walsh combination. He had lost his way up until winning a Killarney handicap in August. An additional seven pounds and the soft ground is enough to overlook this horse who is sure to be popular with most. Bentelimar won a listed race over course and distance last year and must be respected off top weight given ideal conditions. He makes his seasonal return here and needs to be watched in the market.
Noel Meade has his string in fine fettle this season and Harvey Logan still looks well treated here. He won two of three starts last season after some educational rides in high class maidens to obtain a mark. Overlooked by Mark Walsh and also appears to have been ignored by the market the current 12/1 looks good each way value. The drop back to the minimum trip should suit and if fit enough will out run his generous odds. Henry Higgins is another progressive type but he needs to get his career back on track.
Harvey Logan (E/W)
14:00 Cork
We move down to Cork for the final races. A lesser grade handicap but no less competitive with near twenty runners. The favourite Balofilo has won two of his last four starts however the two defeats came in his last two runs and he could be handicapped to the hilt now. Hard Bought and Fighting Days are interesting and look capable of winning at this level but a chance is taken on Well Taken.
Slippers Madden does exceptionally well on these type of horses for JP McManus and this son of Presenting is bred to be a lot better than a ninety five rating. Three quick runs in maidens suggest that he was been targeted towards handicaps. I fully expect his price to plummet early tomorrow and he should go close. His opening run was good and then two quiet runs in decent maidens have gotten him here and he should have been given a nice learning experience to make him ready for this.
Well Taken (E/W if 9/2 +)
14:30 Cork
Finishing the Sunday Weekender with a two mile four Grade C handicap hurdle. Another interesting event. Damut is a progressive type and has won his last three. However the main concern here is that he rarely runs twice in a row. The trainer usually gives him a break between runs but has him out again here relatively quickly. That has to be a concern given how lightly raced this horse is.
Sam Red is the unexposed horse in the race. He represents in form connections here. Only three runs in his career. Two in maidens and a respectable third in group three last year. Its hard to know if he has anything in hand and the form of that Grade Three is not the best. But if connections think he is up to that level it has to be respected.
Bryerley Babe for Robert Tyner makes a belated reappearance and is well handicapped on his chase rating. It is good to see Robert Tyner back from a poor spell due to issues outside his control but his horses have been running well and Byerley Babe can continue that run of form. He has won grade twos over fences and has run well against some nice types with credit. He could be thrown in here and is well worth a chance that he is fully wound up.
Byerley Babe (E/W if 9/2 +)