Handicap Blot at Tramore

Monday is not usually a day where you will find the creme de la creme of the equine world in action, and to be brutally honest today is no exception. However, there is one horse that catches my eye at Tramore  from a handicapping perspective, and that is Slygufftou in the 6.20.

 There are a couple of factors that sparked my interest in this horse today. Firstly, ground conditions are set to be quick this evening, with the track set to water in order to maintain good ground. This will be no problem to Slygufftou, who has shown his best form on similar ground conditions. He is also returning from a break, having last run in November, but this is not really a negative as one of his best runs came after a similar layoff, so perhaps he goes best when fresh. 

The biggest reason why I feel this horse is worth supporting is because of the fact he gets to race off a lowly mark of 94, with Brian Hayes taking off another 3lbs for good measure. On his first run under rules, over course and distance on good ground, he was 3 lengths in front of Springfield Grey (who he was giving 3lbs to) and this horse has since won a handicap off 98 and run with credit off higher marks since. Well Tuned was 3 lengths in front of him in this heat and he is now rated 124 after some good placed efforts in his subsequent runs in novice hurdles. 

Admittedly Slygufftou disappointed on his next run, but it was on yielding ground and perhaps came too soon after his good debut effort. After being freshened up he finished 2nd over a trip on the sharp side in Wexford, again on good ground, staying on well in the closing stages to be beaten just over 4 lengths by a horse now rated 114. 

However, probably the most impressive run came on ground softer than ideal in a maiden hurdle at Tipperary , when he was beaten less than 12 lengths into 5th behind Couleur France, who has since gone on to be 3rd in  Grade 2. He was also only 3 lengths behind Brandon Hill, who has since gone on to win a novice and a handicap for Tom Lacey in England, the latter off a mark of 122. 

All of these bits and pieces of form suggest to me that Slygufftou is extremely well handicapped off 94, and as a result looks a massive price in a race that looks to be lacking any real strength in depth. His trainer has shown down through the years he is more than capable of readying one, and at a price of 16/1 he looks well worth an each way interest this evening. 

Selection: Slygufftou 6.20 Tramore 16/1 e/w