Measureofmydreams was in contention for a long way in the
Irish National, even if the commentators missed him completely for the vast
majority of the race. He travelled nicely out wide at the head of the group
behind the leading three, but a couple of mistakes at key moments cost him
dearly. He ended up in 9th, beaten a short head for 8th, and if Noel Meade can
find the key to this fella he will have a well handicapped horse on his hands
next season.
The winner was ultra-impressive, and Jessica Harrington has
a couple of serious staying chasers on her hands. Robbie Power gave Our Duke a
superb ride, keeping him out of trouble and giving the relatively inexperienced
7yo son of Oscar a good sight of his fences. To win an Irish National by 14L
with over 11 stone is no mean feat, and the 1-2 could be on for Jessie in the
Gold Cup next year.
 |
| Oisin Murphy looks a good booking for Sir Roderic. |
Oisin Murphy is riding out of his skin at the moment, and
when I was looking through the entries for the Spring Handicap at Newbury I
couldn’t help but notice he had been booked to ride Sir Roderic for Rod
Millman. The Millmans think that Sir Roderic is a well
handicapped horse and he can be forgiven his run in the consolation race for
the Lincoln given that he was drawn on the wrong side. He ought to strip fitter with that run behind him and Murphy is 10/49 with 14 places when riding for Millman.
The handicapper has dropped him a pound for his last effort to a
mark of 95, and he was only beaten a neck in a handicap at Newmarket (8f gd/fm) the
last time he raced off that rating. All his wins have come with a bit of cut in
the ground, but that run at Newmarket was a career best so the forecast ground
at Newbury holds no fears. High numbers are favoured at Newbury, and he has
been handed a decent draw in stall 17. It looks a competitive contest, but Sir
Roderic can be backed at odds of 25/1 and at that price he looks well worth chancing
each way.
STEVOS’ SELECTION:
15.40 NEWBURY-SIR RODERIC E/W @ 25/1
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