14:10 Cork – Dame Dandy
DAME DANDY should represent value and see off Anjalawi to break her maiden in this opening 6.5-furlong maiden on the Cork card this Sunday afternoon for Jim Bolger and Kevin Manning.
The daughter of Dandy Man has finished second twice in three-career starts and has a line of form with Anjalawi and Warrior Brave through the Kevin Prendergast colt Monaasib.
Dame Dandy finished fourth behind winner Teresa Mendoza in a Curragh maiden last month with Monaasib finishing second that day, before Sheikh Hamdan’s horse won at HQ were Anjalawi finished third and Warrior Brave was fourth.
The Ger Lyons-trained filly was staying on in the closing furlong at the Curragh and the extra half furlong should suit with Bolger’s runner also appreciating the slight drop back from 7 furlongs at Galway.
She raced forward on that occasion at Ballybrit and another positive ride looks likely from Manning having been outbattled in the closing half furlong by Fourhometwo from the Johnny Murtagh stable.
Street Kid finished behind Dame Dandy at Naas but could bounce back for Jessica Harrington while Repute, Tar Heel and Warrior Brave are other leading contenders.
15:20 Cork – Noirvento
Pixel Power returns quickly looking for back-to-back wins in this 6.5-furlong handicap following success at Leopardstown on Thursday for Jessica Harrington and Shane Foley.
The three-year-old has gone up 6lbs for that victory in what was another cracking ride by Foley this season, timing his run to perfection to win right on the line in Foxrock.
It was a much-improved run from the filly following several average performances earlier this season and it will be interesting to see if she’s able to win again so quickly in an open looking contest.
NOIRVENTO gets my each-way verdict for Tracey Collins and Ronan Whelan after two good runs so far this season at Limerick and more recently at the Curragh last month.
The five-year-old mare returned from a break to see off several of today’s rivals, Bay Of Skaill, Improving and Fugacious when winning a handicap over this trip at Limerick in late June. She followed up that victory with a creditable third place finish in an apprentice handicap at the Curragh last month and the likely strong pace here should suit for another good run.
14:30 Tramore – Dysart Diamond
The closing day of the August festival here at Tramore begins with a two-mile maiden hurdle which can provide champion trainer Willie Mullins with another winner at the Waterford venue this week.
DYSART DIAMOND has progressed nicely in bumpers and was impressive in victory at Limerick last month and can follow up again on her first start over hurdles here. She hardly came out of third gear when travelling beautifully to win that bumper under Jody Townend and despite lacking racecourse experience over hurdles, she can see off the exposed Santana Plessis.
The Gordon Elliott challenger has been expensive to follow having finished second on his last three starts over hurdles and gives 7lbs to his main opponent.
The drop back in trip could also be a disadvantage for the Elliott runner having previously won his bumper over two-miles, four-furlongs last summer.
Willie Mullins has an exceptional strike-rate over hurdles here at Tramore and won this race with Karl Der Grosse two-years-ago, with Dysart Diamond ticking all the boxes here over this trip to win her second consecutive race.
17:45 Tramore – Erins Benefit
It’s perhaps not wise to side against Willie Mullins in any bumper, but the John Kiely-trained ERINS BENEFIT should hopefully represent some value against Greenane Lady in the closing race of the festival.
The six-year-old was a major eye-catcher when coming from near last in the closing three furlongs to finish a staying on third on debut in a Limerick bumper last month. The winner of that race, Dysart Diamond (my other Tramore selection) will hopefully boost the form by winning the opening maiden hurdle and I would suggest backing this mare before the first race on Sunday.
That performance along with John Kiely’s excellent record here at Tramore suggests Erins Benefit will go close to victory, with the ability of Greenane Lady on debut the obvious unknown.
I’d expect these two mares to fight out the finish with Raven Rule, No Reaction, Riqaaby and perhaps Glan all scrapping for minor prize money.
Any market support for the Gordon Elliot-trained Glan should be noted after the mount of Jamie Codd was sent off favourite for a Fairyhouse bumper last December, but finished seventh in a race which has produced a few winners since.
* Prices on our snazzy new bet widget are bang up to date.
Cork and Tramore tips summary:
14:10 Cork – Dame Dandy
14:30 Tramore – Dysart Diamond
15:20 Cork – Noirvento
17:45 Tramore – Erins Benefit
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