Clonmel Racing Tips

A relatively weak looking maiden hurdle to start proceedings and so it may fall to MAHLERS DOLLAR to break his maiden tag at the 5^th time of asking. He finished 2^nd to Chicago Time in a Cork maiden hurdle last month, form that has been boosted significantly by the winner taking a Listed race on his next start. They were fully 16-lengths clear of the rest that day and produced the fastest final circuit time on the card in the process. He has run well at this track in the past, including when 3^rd over this course and distance in January and could have conditions to suit in a race lacking serious depth.

It is very hard to get away from MORE THAN A MEMORY. He was 2^nd in a bumper here in March behind the extremely talented Dysart Dynamo and although he was no match for that rival, he was still 29-lengths in front of the 3^rd and a repeat of that run should be enough to win on his first start over obstacles. He has switched from Sam Curling to Henry De Bromhead over the summer and with Davy Russell booked to ride, he should prove very hard to beat.

The presence of Anibale Fly at the top of the weights makes this handicap more open than it may first appear. Tony Martins chaser is making his seasonal reappearance and is unlikely to be fully tuned up for this, so it is worth chancing FUTURE PROOF from the Rothwell yard. He was 3^rd in a Grade B handicap hurdle at Down Royal a fortnight ago, which is the strongest piece of recent form on offer. Having been steeled in rear, he made good late headway and although he was no match for the winner Eskylane, he ran perfectly well considering the way the race panned out and with his riders 5lb claim, is effectively 4lbs lower here and so is certainly weighted to go close.

At the weights, this should be a penalty kick for Mount Ida, who is effectively 11lbs well in with her main rival. However, she surely has much loftier targets than this so SCARLET AND DOVE may still take home the prize despite the unfavorable terms. She won a Grade 2 Novices Chase at Limerick in March and ran exceptionally well on her final start at the Punchestown Festival, when she was unlucky to be picked off in the final strides by Rapid Response. Rachel Blackmore takes the ride for the first time and with a very solid record when fresh, she could be capable of getting the better of her well treated rival.

A tight renewal of this race with only 4 going to post. Although he has wait to give away, it is very hard to get away from FAKIR D’OUDAIRIES who has reached a level significantly higher than his 3 rivals. It is hard to believe that he is still only a 6-year-old, but he is well worth his official rating of 165 and is a lively outsider for this year’s Gold Cup and he really should have too much for these rivals, with perhaps Royal Rendezvous the most likely to chase him home.

A lot of horses are really searching for some form in this contest so it may be worth taking a chance on the less exposed MEYZAN. Shark Hanlan's 6-year-old has only had 3 starts over fences and ran well on this mark when 4^th at Thurles last month. He finished mid-division when carrying a big weight in an Amateur Riders race at the Curragh 2 weeks ago and as a result arrives here in better form than most of his rivals. With a light weight on his back, he could run well.

A very difficult bumper to end the card but it could perhaps go the way of DIAMONDINTHEMUD, who has hit the frame in 3 of her 4 starts under rules. She finished 2^nd at Wexford last month, when perhaps hitting the front too soon and was picked off in the final furlong by Kicking Princes. The time of that race was very good for the grade and all the right horses filled the places. With Patrick Mullin taking over the ride, she could be ready to get her head in front.