Dundlak - Friday 23 March

rossom · 23-03-2012 2:24am #1

8.50 Dundalk

Regal Tramp FC 7/1

I'm Very confident that Vincent Ward's 4 year old filly can she her maiden tag at the 17th time of asking tonight. On her last start, Regal Tramp was a big eye catcher at the course last month over 1m2.5f off a mark of 68. Dropped out at the rear, she made some very good headway over what I feel is slightly too short for her under hands and heels riding from Conor Hoban to finish a 4.75L beaten 6th. That day it certainly seemed that Hoban had a lot of horse left under him and it was a very encouraging display. The form of this race looks pretty strong with the winner Aragorn Rouge finishing narrowly beaten on his 2 subsequent starts, off 5lb and 8lb higher marks respectively. Furthermore, the 4th finished a neck second off the same mark on his only subsequent start and the 7th Indian Scout, 1.5L behind Regal Tramp, has won on his two subsequent starts including off a 12lb higher mark.

Prior to this, Regal Tramp has put in a number of good performances off higher handicap marks, including a 0.5L defeat at the Galway Festival off a mark of 73 over tonights trip as well as consecutive 2nds (although both 5L defeats) off marks of 75. After being dropped a further 3lb form her last effort to 65, tonight's race represents the easiest task to date in Regal Tramp's career as she is stepped into 47-65 rated handicap company for the first time, meaning she will be up against significantly easier opposition than she has faced before. Fran Berry is a very eye catching jockey booking and takes the ride on this 4 year old for the first time. The excellent Berry very much seems Ward's go-to jockey as he was the regular pilot on board the trainer's Listed winner Fictional Account. The draw in stall 9 shouldn't be much of an issue given she doesn't need to race prominently.

With her proving her worth off higher handicap marks in the past in higher grades (her Galway 2nd was in 55-80 rated handicap company) I am 100% convinced she is well up to defying her current mark. With the step back up in trip bound to suit, the booking of Berry and the significant drop in grade I think everything points to a massive run from Regal Tramp. It is also very interesting to note she is declared in a 50-80 handicap race at Leopardstown next week back on the turf so it clearly demonstrates she is in good heart and if connections have any aspirations of landing a race like that then surely she has to be good enough to win a race the quality of tonight's contest. With all signs pointing to a bold display, I'm very confident she can earn her elusive first win for Ward and go on to bigger and better things.

UrbanSea · 23-03-2012 9:02am

In the 7.50 I like the look of Siansa at 12/1. Three runs in maidens last year all of which were very strong, won by Nephrite, Dragons Pulse and Furners Green who are all near group 1 performers. A mark of 69 is very fair and step up in trip should suit given she's by Teofilo out of a Marju mare

UrbanSea · 23-03-2012 9:03am

Just saw she's drawn 13. Big negative but you never know

rossom · 23-03-2012 5:58pm

I'm sorry but why on earth is Katla 8s in the 6.20 Dundalk. Twice a Listed winner, including beating Barefoot Lady by 6L. Is best at the weights and on top of that has a 10lb claimer onboard. Although its her AW debut and she may need the run, 7s is a crazy, crazy price.

MoscowFlyer · 23-03-2012 6:17pm

On it. Few quid @ 7s

rossom · 23-03-2012 6:25pm

Wasn't a truly run race. Mccullough stole that from the front, fantastic ride. no harm done with 2nd though. Ride of the month contender there as he turned it into a 1f sprint on the worst horse by a mile!