*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widget, while in-copy odds are accurate at time of publication but subject to change
12.50pm – Manitopark
A big field contests the opening 2m maiden hurdle at Clonmel on Thursday where it’s hard to look past MANITOPARK (the AA is not pronounced) for Willie Mullins and Paul Townend. The Closutton team are flying at present and despite suffering defeat on his Irish debut, the French import is worth another chance on his second start to improve from his fifth-place finish at Navan. Elsewhere, Sweet Sixteen gets plenty of weight from our selection but returns after finishing fourth at Punchestown in September, while No Fame No Game and newcomer Union Rock are two other dangers.
1.20pm – Danegeld (NB)
DANEGELD won with a bit in hand at Punchestown last week and can defy the 5lb rise in the ratings to score again for trainer John Morrison. It was a comfortable victory, with the nine-year-old travelling strongly on the bridle before being pushed clear to score by jockey Mikey O’Connor after the last hurdle. Marino Marvel does battle with our selection again after Dermot McLoughlin’s runner finished 10-lengths behind at Punchestown and will hopefully be in the hunt for a place. Elsewhere, Toms Courage and Still Alive might prove the biggest dangers having finished fifth and seventh behind Moonlight Glory at Limerick over Christmas.
2.20pm – Salt Wind (nap)
A competitive maiden hurdle with Willie Mullins, Gordon Elliott and Henry de Bromhead all fielding runners in this 2m3f contest. The introduction of blinkers and a step up in trip might bring improvement to Cavallino for Mullins, but I’m siding elsewhere with the consistent SALT WIND my selection for trainer Michael Kennedy. The son of Getaway finished a good third on his hurdles debut at Navan, with the form of that race working out well over the past week. The second, Minella Escape, won at Tramore on New Year’s Day with the fifth horse, Kalkas – also trained by De Bromhead – scoring at Limerick. The ground and trip are no concerns for the Bandon point-to-point winner and he should represent value against the three power-houses in Irish racing.
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2.50pm – Zaccarela
ZACCARELA was disqualified and placed second when first past the past at Cork last month and can hopefully gain compensation here for Phil Fenton. The five-year-old drifted to his left after the last under Kevin Brouder with the stewards deeming enough interference took place to hand the Robert Tyner-trained Feyan the race. Zaccarela has gone up 4lbs in the ratings for that run, but Fenton is wisely using the 7lb allowance of jockey Eoin O’Brien today. Shar Wants Therush is an obvious danger for Donie Hassett with Street Value, also recently placed at Limerick another for the shortlist.
3.50pm – Ask D’Man
The action ends with a fascinating Hunters Chase where ASK D’MAN might have the edge to hand trainer David Christie back-to-back wins in this contest. The Derrylin-based handler won this contest last year with Some Man and his seven-year-old comes here in good form following two recent wins. He won nicely at Portrush in October before dominating from the front and scoring at Loughbrickland in November. Barry O’Neill knows the horse well following those victories and he could get an easy lead here on his rules debut and represent nice value against the two leading contenders. Super Citizen returns quickly for the O’Sullivan’s following his second at Limerick, while the consistent Templebredin is another with a serious chance for the inform Sam Curling.
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widget, while in-copy odds are accurate at time of publication but subject to change
James Shortt’s Clonmel bet summary – Thursday, January 7
12.50pm – Manitopark
1.20pm – Danegeld (NB)
2.20pm – Salt Wind (NAP)
2.50pm – Zaccarela
3.50pm – Ask D’Man
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