Millman's Magic Run To Continue

Louis Oosthuizen so nearly did the business for us at St. Andrews on Monday, agonisingly losing out to Zach Johnson in a three way playoff. He looked to have the momentum after draining three crucial putts on the last three holes, but alas he must have used up all his luck as his putter went cold when the chips were down in  the playoff. Zach Johnson on the other hand sank a couple of beauties, and his win was well deserved in the end.
Back on the home front Kerry ran out comfortable winners against Cork down in  Killarney and did nothing to shake my faith in them as potential All Ireland champions. Aidan O' Mahony was a rock at the back, Anthony Maher and in particular David Moran were outstanding in midfield. Some of Moran's kick passing was a joy to behold, and he really has unbelievable skill for such a big lump of a man.
Sheehan looked comfortable at centre half forward and his prowess from dead balls is a serious weapon in Kerry's considerable armoury. James O'Donoghue ran himself into the ground and gave his marker a torrid time, and The Gooch made an instant impact from the bench with a superb quick free kick that set up the crucial Kerry goal that was finished by Geaney. Paul Galvin also made a fleeting appearance, and with Tommy Walsh yet to be unleashed Kerry certainly look to be in a very strong position to challenge for honours. The 4/1 about them to retain Sam Maguire is long gone, but I wouldn't put anyone off taking the 5/2 that is still available. They will be hard to beat.
The losing run has continued unabated for my racing selections recently, and a change of luck is way overdue. Regular readers will be familiar with Rod Millman, who trains Master Carpenter, a horse I have tipped up here before. He has a couple of entries at his favourite track, Bath, tomorrow, and both look to have decent chances. The one I like is the bigger priced of the two (no surprise there!) and goes in the 5.5F handicap at 3.10.
Dovils Duel, a 4yo gelded son of Clodovil, has been relatively disappointing given the high regard he was held in as a 2yo by his shrewd trainer. Sent off favourite for the Brocklesby, he could only manage 5th, and didn't manage to win a maiden at all. He eventually got his head in front off a mark of 60  in a class 6 handicap at Leicester (6F Good to Firm), and followed up off 4lb higher over a similar trip on quick ground at Lingfield a fortnight later. He was then upped in class, to no avail, and must have had a few problems as he only ran twice last season.
He returned this summer with a couple of tame efforts over 7F and 6F, but as a result his mark dropped accordingly. Dropped to the minimum trip at Newbury at the end of June saw an improvement in form, as he went down by a couple of lengths in 3rd place off a mark of 64 in a class 5 handicap. His last run, over 6F in another class 5 event at Salisbury, was admittedly a pretty disappointing effort, but he wore a first time hood and it is no surprise to see the headgear abandoned today.
He has been dropped another couple of pounds to 62, the trip and ground should be perfect, and Ted Durcan, who has already ridden a winner for the yard  this season, takes the reins. He is also dropped back into class 6 company for the first time since his last win, and it will be disappointing if he can't trouble the judge today with his yard firing in the winners.

Selection: 3.10 Bath- Dovils Duel (each way) 14/1.