It’s Irish Grand National Day at Fairyhouse… The National’s are not ones I look at as betting opportunities whatsoever, but they’re always ones I enjoy watching. Ben Pauling’s The Jukebox Kid is at the top of the betting and looks a live chance, and if Jonjo O’Neill’s Monbeg Genius puts it together he too could have a seriously live chance. It would be great to see the British win the Irish National back-to-back, after Rebecca Curtis trained Haiti Couleurs success last year. They’re the two I’ll be egging on, but my main focus today will be on our one bet at Kempton.
In touch with leaders early, midfield after 2f, headway and in touch with leaders over 1f out, ran on inside final furlong
The only bet of the day is one we chanced back in February, on account of his falling mark making him look an extremely well handicapped horse, and that opinion hasn’t changed despite only running 4th of ten. It was the fact he was dropping into a 0-80 that day which made most appeal, and given context of the race he ran a cracker.
The pace was a very steady one, so Mr Baloo’s early position held up on the rail saw him trapped in a bit of a pocket, which when angling for a run on the turn in meant those ahead of him had got first run, a deciding factor at Lingfield with the short run in. Still, he made up plenty of ground and went past a good few to finish just 3½ lengths away, never nearer.
He has since dropped a further 2lbs in the weights, to a rating of just 79. From a highest winning mark of 87 and a total of five wins from this mark or higher, he is screaming a winner in waiting. Back down into a 0-80 today for the first time since, this looks a cracking opportunity and Kempton, where he has won twice from nine runs, should see him to better effect with the long straight.
The jockey booking of James Doyle suggests intent too, with a 22.5% strike rate for Hannon Jnr over the years, from some 120+ rides – A superb strike rate. I think today is the day.
Best of luck with your punting today,
