Lydia’s Supporters Might Be Jumping For Joy At Dundalk

Elzaa produced a bitterly disappointing effort at Fairyhouse, despite being apparently well backed throughout the day. It looks like it was shrewd punters rather than connections backing her judging by her performance, as she never looked like landing a blow. She can jump though, and she has form on good ground on the level so perhaps when the weather improves she might come into her own in handicaps.

Lydia's Joy wasn't far behind in form Bluesbreaker last time.

Friday nights at Dundalk usually produce a juicily priced winner or two, and one man that is no stranger to firing one in at rewarding odds is Anthony McCann. I was at the County Louth track a fortnight ago when Lydia’s Joy ran and I had a small e/w bet on him simply because of the stable’s form. McCann has his string in fine fettle and though he hasn’t had a winner from his last ten runners, he has rattled the crossbar more than once.


Lydia’s Joy showed very little when trained by Jimmy Larkin, but he showed plenty last time on his first run in over 6 months. He made his reappearance over 6f off a mark of 45 with Damian Melia claiming 7lb and it didn’t start well as he was slowest away from the gates by some distance. Melia didn’t rush him to get back into the race and he was happy to let him gallop away on the inner in the last three.

As they turned in Melia was kidding him along and he went for a run up the inner. To his credit Lydia’s Joy kept on pretty well in the final furlong and though he finished 8th he was only around 3L behind in form Bluesbreaker who finished 3rd and in close proximity to a few other horses rated in the low to mid 60s. It was a big step up on his handicap debut at Listowel and he should strip a lot fitter with that run behind him.

Lydia’s Joy is nicely bred, a 5yo gelding by Holy Roman Emperor and out of a dam related to a host of winners at up to 10f. The way he ran last time, and his pedigree, suggest that a mile could be perfect right now and McCann is claiming 10lb with talented young pilot Andrew Slattery. Lydia’s Joy is officially rated 38 but has to run off 45, so technically with Slattery’s allowance she is carrying 3lb less than she should be. At odds of 33/1 she could run well and a small each way bet is advised.

STEVOS’ SELECTION: 19.00 DUNDALK-LYDIA’S JOY E/W @ 33/1 (4 places available)