The Irish Angle: Make strides with Golden Footsteps
By Johnny Ward
Last Updated: Tue 5 Dec 2023
Irish punters have ample opportunity to make shrewd investments this weekend, with four fixtures across Saturday and Sunday.
It has seemed strange for us that the ground turned soft at Epsom, as it has been another dry and hot week in Ireland. Watering has been in place at some tracks but thundery showers are expected over the weekend, which should help take any sting out of the jumps tracks in particular.
It is interesting to note the trainers' title going into Friday. Gordon Elliott is just two winners from 55 runners after a troubled start to the campaign. He trails Willie Mullins by 22 winners already and one wonders if the title race is already over with Mullins close to €250,000 ahead.
Sunday bets:
2.30 Kilbeggan: Santiago De Cuba
Donie McInerney may rate the most promising conditional in Ireland and he has been booked by the in-form Joseph O’Brien here to steer Santiago De Cuba, who looks a good thing.
He was quite weak in the market on his second hurdling start when a close third, travelling easily, and even though a long shot prevailed on that occasion, the form is spot on. He need not improve to collect here.
3.00 Kilbeggan: Urban Poet
It was at Kilbeggan that Golden Poet won a bumper, going back the guts of two years, when he beat the Denis Hohan-steered Bensachuine by six lengths.
Hogan now trains Golden Poet and his rates a shrewd stable, one to note when the money is down.
There were some positives from Golden Poet's return to hurdling at this track last time, when he stayed on well under a quiet ride. He could be dangerous now.
4.15 Listowel: Intense Stylist at a general 33-1
Johnny Ward
Finished: 13thSP: 16/1
Intense Stylist's Listowel record is 613 and he has won off Sunday’s rating in the past. His first run of the season must have been badly needed, and he was much better at Killarney last time.
At a big price, he could be away and gone here if things go his way. Trainer Albert Moriarty is based in Killorglin, not too far from this track.
4.45 Listowel: Golden Footsteps
Johnny Ward
Finished: 7thSP: 11/2
Jessica Harrington is a remarkable woman, stronger than ever as a dual-code trainer in her 70s, and she enjoyed her first Classic success in the shape of Alpha Centauri at the Curragh.
Golden Footsteps is an interesting recruit to the barn from Ed Walker. Beaten a neck at Wolverhampton in February, she could easily improve for the switch to Harrington, and there is no reason why she cannot snare a race on turf.
Saturday tips:
5.05 Navan: Natty Dresser
Natty Dresser drops in grade here after a respectable run in a far better Curragh handicap in which Medal Of Honour, trained by Joseph O'Brien, beat his father Aidan's Bond Street. The third, Dance Emperor, was well-backed, while Natty Dresser was mildly eye-catching in seventh.
Oisin Orr is excellent value for his claim and the Dandy Man gelding looks good enough to win a race such as this. It is one of the quirks of the system that he even gets a run here: rated 71, he is above the ratings band of 0-70.
6.20 Tramore: Tobar Geal
Johnny Ward
Finished: PU SP: 10/1
Liam Cusack has been using the excellent Denis O'Regan quite a bit since he relocated to Ireland and this talented County Laois trainer is one well able to land a punt.
This horse has not shown much but one of his handicap hurdle runs was promising and, in a race as weak as this, O’Regan riding for the first time, he is worth a small bet.
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