The action continues to come thick and fast as the newest racing festival in town moves into its second and concluding day on Sunday. We have eight races on offer in all, including four Grade 1 affairs, spearheaded by the Irish Gold Cup itself. Here we pick out our standout bets from what is an excellent card.
3:00 Flogas Novice Chase
This looks set to be one of the races of the day as Sutton Place from the yard of Gordon Elliott, Invitation for Champion Trainer Willie Mullins and Monalee from the yard of Henry De Bromhead lock horns over this three-mile trip.
This may seem an unusual comment to make for a horse who fell last time out, but we feel it may well be Monalee’s fast and accurate jumping that turns the tide in his favour here. Sutton Place certainly didn’t look particularly quick over his fences last time out and may struggle to keep pace with the selection. Invitation Only may prove the bigger danger but will be tackling three miles for the first time under rules so has stamina to prove. With a win in a Grade 3 hurdle in heavy ground over this trip already to his name, as well as a second in last season’s Albert Bartlett Hurdle, we need have no concerns regarding Monalee on the stamina front and he can come out on top.
Tip: Monalee to win at 7/2 with Coral
3:35 Unibet Irish Gold Cup
Talented as market leader Our Duke is, this hasn’t been the kindest of races to favourites over the years, and the Irish National winner looks a short enough price considering he was trounced by 51 lengths on his comeback at Down Royal in November. Not seen at the track since, he will need to have come on a bundle in the interim, and we are happy to look elsewhere.
The one to carry our cash is a horse who hasn’t been beaten in over three years. Killultagh Vic has admittedly only run five times over that period due to various health issues, but showed the ability still remains, when winning easily enough over hurdles on his return. The nine year olds hurdling left a lot to be desired that day, but he does tend to show his fences that bit more respect, and it shouldn’t be forgotten that this one had the ability to master a pre-injury Thistlecrack over three miles. That’s top-class form and anything close to it will see him right on the premises.
Tip: Killultagh Vic to win at 6/1 with Stan James
4:10 Chanelle Pharma Handicap Chase
Take Harry Fry to get one on the board for the small English raiding party in this competitive handicap affair. Going in the famous green and gold of one of the most powerful owners in the game, JP McManus, this giant of a horse looks a performer firmly on the upgrade. Showing plenty of promise in three starts over hurdles, the move to chasing and step up in trip appears to have been the making of this son of Robin Des Champs. Despite reportedly not being in love with Kempton’s right handed turns, he still managed to see them all off from the front, with his bold jumping in particular catching the eye. Mister Whitaker was the horse to finish second to him that day, and with that runner having since gone on to land a decent handicap at Cheltenham, the form has a solid look to it. Hell’s Kitchen is up 6lb for that success but this return to a left-handed track may be enough to offset that and he is fancied to go close.
Tip: Hell’s Kitchen to win at 6/1 with Coral