Wayne Bailey / 06 February 2010 Free Bet View Market

“Yes, he’s been disappointing lately but Cooldine has the form in the book and if he runs any way near his best, he could have four or five pounds in hand so a chance is taken at a price of 3.25.”

Regular betting.betfair.com blogger Graham Cunningham wrote about the lack of British raiders in the top Irish meetings and I'd have to agree that it seems strange that our very valuable races are mostly contested by domestic animals. The Irish are sending their horses all over Britain lately with great effect and I reckon some trainers are missing a trick or two by not sending horses over here.

Sunday's UK racing consists of two mediocre cards from Fontwell and Musselburgh with some low class all-weather action thrown in as a sideshow. Leopardstown boasts four Grade One races yet the number of British entrants are few and far between. Any British owners I've spoken to always feel jealous of the prizemoney on offer in Ireland yet they don't seem eager to send their horses across on the ferry. It's a strange one folks!

I'll be heading up myself and from what I can gather, a sizeable contingent of Brits will be arriving too for what should be a great day of racing. The Hennessey Cognac Gold Cup (3.45) is poorer for Denman's absence, but in some ways, it's a blessing in disguise as it allows us to enjoy the race for what it is rather than just viewing it as yet another Cheltenham trial. I would have liked to see Denman back in Ireland but in fairness, he would have demolished the field and there really would have been no contest. Beef Or Salmon used to dominate this race a few years back but the 2010 renewal is fascinating and a good case could be made for at least four horses.

Firstly, we've Joncol who looks the clear form choice on paper and his trainer Paul Nolan has aimed the seven-year-old at this one for some time. Certainly, Joncol has claims but I'm not yet convinced that he's a real three miler and would be dubious about backing at [3.7].

Then, we've Money Trix to consider and it's fair to say that his second place in the Lexus Chase was a surprise as his Betfair SP of [19.5] will attest. Was it a fluke? Perhaps, but form like that is hard to ignore and it's going to be very interesting to see how well or otherwise he shapes up again. Notre Pere is an old favourite of mine but he really needs a mud-bath to enjoy himself these days and his form this season has been disappointing to say the least. I live quite near to Leopardstown and it's been a fairly dry day.

Cooldine will carry my money but it's getting tricky to make a strong case for the eight-year-old considering he was pulled up in the Lexus and only managed fourth place previously at Punchestown. Some of the major Irish firms have been taking decent money for the gelding all week however, and it looks like his latest run has been forgiven by the Irish betting public as he scoped badly after that race. Willie Mullins has expressed some bemusement at the gamble and reckons his charge has a tough assignment in store - but the vibes I'm getting from County Carlow are all good and the 2009 RSA chase winner is said to be in fine form at home.

Mullins is downplaying it all but I reckon he is in with a big chance. Yes, he's been disappointing lately but Cooldine has the form in the book and if he runs any way near his best, he could have four or five pounds in hand so a chance is taken at a price of [3.25].

Connections of Dunguib will walk the course to make sure the ground will suit - but if he races, this should be another bloodless victory for the Philip Fenton trained son of Presenting in the Deloitte Novice Hurdle (2.10). If he loses the Supreme Novices' at Cheltenham, you can expect to see many glum, out of pocked Irish faces at the Cotswolds but confidence in the camp is high as the Festival approaches. We've never really seen him break a sweat to date and barring a fall or a major blunder, this should be a straightforward penalty kick. The odds of [1.3] are very short but I can't find any reason to oppose.

I'll have two horses running for me in the Handicap Hurdle at 3.10 and nice double figure prices for Fistoulig and Goidelic seem generous. I reckon both could be a couple of pounds ahead of the handicapper so I'll have a small bet in the place market too.

Best Bets

2.10 - Dunguib
3.10 - Fistoulig & Goidelic (1pt win, 1pt place on each)
3.45 - Cooldine

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