Back Thebarrowman To Bounce Back In Eider

Kilfenora got the job done for us in good style on Wednesday at Punchestown under a great ride from Mark Walsh. He was always travelling well in a prominent position and he pulled clear with the runner up as they turned for home. He always looked to be in control, and after jumping the last he was punched out by Walsh to score quite comfortably. He was as big as 40/1 during the day but he eventually returned at 16s. That is our second big winner of the month after Tower Bridge scored at 40s for us at Leopardstown.

Kilfenora could be Cheltenham bound. 

Hopefully we can keep the good run going with Saturday’s selection. Adrian Keatley has long thought very highly of Thebarrowman and he is stepped up massively in trip in the 4 mile Eider Chase at Newcastle. He comes here on the back of a poor run on his handicap debut when sent off fav last time out, but he only had a break of two weeks since his previous run and it may well have come too soon.

Keatley has freshened up his charge since then and he could be a different proposition after over a month off. The English handicapper hasn’t been too harsh, handing him a rating of 131, just 3lb higher than his Irish mark. He was only beaten 5L in a decent handicap hurdle at Fairyhouse off 130 last season on ground quicker than ideal, so back on a softer surface he should be well capable of landing a blow off his current rating. The cheekpieces and tongue tie worn that day are back on for the first time since. 

This 8yo son of Mahler is bred to get the marathon trip of Newcastle, being a half brother to very useful stayer Warrantor. Warren Greatrex’s son of Turtle Island has won at up to 2m 7f and he had an excellent placed effort when 3rd in the Midlands National at Uttoxeter over the monster trip of 33.5f.  It is no surprise that Adrian Keatley thinks The Barrowman will stay the trip, and Roger Loughran has travelled across the Irish Sea to take the ride.

Not many will fancy this fella after his last effort, but I am putting a line through it as I think it came too soon. His form behind the likes of Woods Well, Shattered Love and Tombstone show that he is a horse with plenty of ability, and he could turn out to be on a lenient mark. I think he looks a shade overpriced at odds of 25/1 and he is the each way selection for Saturday.

STEVOS’ SELECTION: 14.45 NEWCASTLE-THEBARROWMAN E/W @ 25/1