Rogers' Charge Could Be Hard To Reel In At Sligo

Harry Rogers might well be based in the Wee County Louth, but he is not afraid to head West in search of success and he has proved to be a profitable trainer to follow when he crosses the River Shannon. At Ballinrobe he is 2/11 for 8.25 profit to a one pound stake for the past five seasons. At Galway he is 4/28 and a quid on each runner would see you break even. He has an even better record at Roscommon, where he is 5/33 for +28.00 and at Sligo he is 3/31 for +9.00.

As the above illustrates he clearly has a penchant for producing winners way down West, and in the 7.00 at Sligo tomorrow he fires three bullets at the target, and the most likely looking of the trio has to be Irish Reel. This enigmatic mare has been dropping like a stone in the ratings, having been upped to a career high mark of 70 after a facile win at Roscommon in June of last year.

That came off a mark of 54, and after her last couple of runs at Galway, both of which were encouraging considering they were over a trip that stretches her, the handicapper dropped her 3lbs to today's mark of 55. Her last run in particular was a good one and she was beaten less than 5 lengths in the end, especially as she didn't get to lead as she likes to do. Her draw is a negative tomorrow, and she will have to be quick out of the stalls if her preferred front running tactics are to be adopted.

 If she does get a quick start she should go close, and with the assistance of the massively underrated Colm O'Donoghue in the saddle (rode her for her last win) Irish Reel could lead them on a merry dance dropped back to her preferred trip on ideal ground. Looks well worth an each way interest at 14/1.

Stevos' Selection: 7.00 Sligo- Irish Reel (14/1 e/w)