Breaking: Portnacoo (IRE) Stuns Favorites, Claws Victories at Carlisle; American Sniper (IRE) Falters at Cheltenham
In a dramatic turn of events, Portnacoo (IRE), the 3-1 joint-favorite, stormed to a seven-length victory in the competitive 2-mile 3-furlong handicap chase at Carlisle, outclassing a field of five that included the previously undefeated Ruby Island. The gelding, ridden by Brian Hughes and trained by Dan Skelton, showed remarkable turn of foot after leading before the final two fences, widening the gap to secure an emphatic win.
Meanwhile, American Sniper (IRE), a leading contender in the 12:45 at Cheltenham, failed to live up to expectations. Sent off at 40-1 in a field of 24, the gelding led briefly before the last fence but weakened subsequently, finishing a distant 12th, 21 ¼ lengths behind the winner Doddiethegreat. This was a disappointing performance, given the horse’s third-placed finish in a Listed contest at Punchestown last month.
Further afield, Cloonainra (IRE) punished his rivals with a sharp turn of foot to take the 2m 2f handicap chase at Kelso by 2¼ lengths. Having been ridden to lead at the second fence, the 10-11 favorite kept on well to notch up his second victory in as many starts over fences. Trainer Donald McCain Jr. will now be targeting bigger races for the progressing novice chaser.
The racing drama continued at Fairyhouse, where Howdoyalikeherhome (IRE) and In For The Night (IRE) both produced powerful late challenges to secure impressive victories in their respective handicap hurdles. Howdoyalikeherhome, sent off the 7-2 joint-favorite, took the lead approaching the second-last and ran on strongly to win by a comfortable 1¼ lengths, while In For The Night, a 11-1 shot, showed a smart turn of foot to lead close home and win by a neck in a thrilling finish to the 2m 3f contest.
Headline: Unpacking Recent Form: The Horses to Watch and Trends to Note
Leaders of the pack: Impressive winners
Kicking off our form watch, we have a couple of impressive winners who have caught the eye and could be ones to watch in upcoming races.
- Portnacoo (IRE) – This gelding stormed to a 7-length victory at Carlisle, asserting itself as a strong contender in the handicap chase division.
- Howdoyalikeherhome (IRE) – Displaying a tenacious attitude, this mare snatched victory at Down Royal, fighting off all challengers late in the race.
- In For The Night (IRE) – Showcasing a nice turn of foot, this horse came from off the pace to win a competitive affair at Naas, demonstrating a fine mixture of class and grittiness.
Did you know? Portnacoo’s running style of leading from the front and staying on well could be a profitable trend to follow, given increasing dominance of front-runners in handicap chases?
Pro Tip: Keep an eye on horses that display strong closing sections, as they often adapt well to step-ups in trip and can provide value in the betting markets.
Those who just missed out: Knocking on the door
Several horses have put in promising performances without quite landing the knockout blow. Could they be set to breakthrough soon?
- The Nagger Reidy – Finishing third behind In For The Night at Naas, this runner might appreciate a step up in trip to really show its best.
- Mic Drop (IRE) – This well-bred sort was placed in a valuable sales race at Bellewstown and looks one to watch in the coming weeks.
_FAQ: Q: Which trainer has the best record with horses that finished 2nd or 3rd in their last start? A: Willie Mullins leads the way in Ireland, while Nicky Henderson holds sway in the UK.
Tracks to watch: Trends emerging
Some courses have yielded strong trends over recent contests, which could point towards future success.
- Naas – The home of some big fields and competitive races, Naas has seen several subsequent winners emerge from handicap contests.
- Wexford – This left-handed track has seen several progressive sorts emerge in recent weeks, suggesting a bias towards certain runners.
Reader question: Have you noticed any yards or jockey/se Catholicships flourishing at particular courses? Share your insights in the comments section below.
In conclusion: Betting trends to consider
When selecting your next wager, consider backing horses that have displayed strong late closing sections, adapt well to step-ups in trip, and have shown promise at Naas or Wexford.
CTA: Which horses have caught your eye from our form watch? Let us know your thoughts and predictions in the comments below, and be sure to share this article with your racing enthusiast friends!
*All form figures are taken from the horse’s most recent runs over obstacles.