The Irish Angle: Johnny Ward has eight selections on Friday
By Johnny Ward
Last Updated: Thu 23 Apr 2026
Top pundit Johnny Ward marks your card for the action at Cork and Kilbeggan on Friday, plus shares his best bet from Perth. See how every selection fares live on Racing TV.
5.00 Perth: Poet's Gale
I have always loved a Tony Martin plot, even long before this horse's dam was winning for this yard. Looking him up gave me an excuse to look her up, which was a nice excuse to look at Paul Carberry at his best again.
Sean Bowen is booked and, if not today, surely soon? The Fairyhouse race was far stronger than this and the effort was likeable.
5.23 Kilbeggan: Euro Maker
Trained locally by Adrian Murray, this horse is an obvious each-way play at 11-2 after finding only one too good in a big field in Mallow - a track with nothing like the front-running bias of Kilbeggan, and this is only his sixth start.
5.56 Kilbeggan: Jinxs Link (E/W)
Jinxs Link oved it around here when he won under the excellent JJ Slevin and 66-1 seems far too big at this level. He is a strong traveller and, though he may obviously need the run, he has to be considered each-way at the prices.
6.28 Kilbeggan: Sean Mc
I can't make this horse 15-2 given the way he did it at Wexford, after which Eoin Staples was keen that he needed to be produced late – so this will be a fun watch if he prevails around Kilbeggan! Only six and the yard is thriving.
6.45 Cork: Enceladus
This horse looked a middle-distance or staying type at two. Third in hot maidens last term, both the yard form and his physique suggest he will be ready to fire now.
The main concern is that the trip might even be a bit sharp, but with 16 runners over an extended ten furlongs, pace in the event is probable.
7.29 Kilbeggan: Favori Logique (E/W)
You can readily forgive his last run given the slog it became. Ross O'Sullivan can do little wrong and, presuming he's anywhere near his best, this course and distance winner is an obvious each-way play at 12-1.
7.45 Cork: Quatre Bras
He can only be a decent price, given how competitive this is. Note how he finished his race in Leopardstown, and it goes without writing it: Reese Hoolohan is terrific value for a 7lb claim.
8.15 Cork: Nod Of Approval
Chances are the ground was wrong here last time when I tipped him. I like that he is returning to Cork, albeit stepping up in trip, which could suit as a half-brother to Puturhandstogether and Showurappreciation.
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