Germany Worth Chancing Up In Trip At Clonmel

There can be no complaints about Seskinane on Sunday, as he was there to try his best and he simply wasn’t good enough. Half a mile out he still seemed to be travelling well out in front and it looked like he might pull clear. However, the tank emptied pretty quickly in the closing stages and he faded badly to finish well beaten. Age may have caught up with him, and if he doesn’t show more next time retirement could beckon.

Donal McInerney riding Auvergnat to victory last month.

The 10k Suir Valley Chase is the feature race on the card at Clonmel tomorrow, but the one I like goes in the 2m 7f handicap chase at 16.40. Our old friend Larry Capri is the favourite, but at much bigger odds I think Germany John could be set for a bold showing returned to fences and stepped back up in trip, after a poor run here over timber last time (16f hvy). His Tuam based trainer DJ Ryan hasn’t had a winner since October 2012, but he hasn’t had many runners and this fella could end the drought on Tuesday.

This 8yo son of Germany has had more poor runs than good, and he has switched yards twice since starting out with Philip Rothwell. His only placing under rules came in a 16f heavy ground maiden behind Avant Tout at Tramore, but he couldn’t make an impact in handicap hurdles off a mark of 100, and after four poor efforts he was sent to the Cullinane yard to try his hand in point to points. His first run back saw him finish 3rd, 7L behind the very promising 8yo Sizing Chile (24f hvy).

He would fill the same position next time, and he then made no mistake at Loughrea (24f soft) making all for a cosy 3L win. He has since left the Cullinanes and he was sent to DJ Ryan to be trained for another crack at racing under rules. He was well beaten in a beginners’ chase at Galway (22.5f yield) on his return back in October, but he was a big eye catcher at Thurles in a similar heat next time (18f yld). He tried to make all, and though he was outpaced in the closing stages it still rates as a superb effort.

He pulled clear with three horses rated 139 (Bellow Mome), 140 (General Principle) and 126 (Jimmy Two Times). Damut was 30L behind him in 6th, so it was no surprise to see Germany John sent off at just 9/1 on his handicap chase debut off a mark of 102 at Down Royal on Boxing Day. He was pulled up before the 4th last though, so something may have been amiss, and he was given a couple of months off to recuperate.

Two miles over hurdles on heavy ground was never likely to suit last time, but that should have blown away the cobwebs after his mini break. Donal McInerney takes the ride, and he nearly landed a nice touch on Stolberg at Limerick on Sunday in Seskinane’s race. He rode his first ever winner under rules over the cross country fences for Enda Bolger on Auvergnat last month, and his 4lb claim could turn out to be crucial. Germany John can be backed at odds of 18/1 with Betfair, and he is worthy of a small e/w bet in a race that may not take much winning.

STEVOS’ SELECTION: 16.40 CLONMEL-GERMANY JOHN E/W @ 18/1