Monday 7th January

rossom

3.40 Taunton

Kellystown Lad 7/1

Although Bennys Mist deserves his place at the head of the market after a fine 5th in a better race than this that I have earmarked as one to follow strongly as I think its going to throw up a bunch of multiple winners (3 of the 4 in front of him have already won since) but I do think Tom George's 10 year old looks a very interesting individual now returned to fences and I think he's going to run a very big race off a mark of 113. A horse who looked to have a very big future under rules when winning his last 3 Point To Points back in 2009, Kellystown Lad joined Ferdy Murphy where he was very often in and out of form for the duration of his career both over hurdles and fences. After a slow enough start of hurdles, he landed what has turned out to be a poor maiden in fine style in December 2009 and he then showed some improved form when finishing ahead of Mac Aeda and runner up to Gilbarry in separate Novice Hurdles in the Spring of 2010 and both those Malcolm Jefferson horses have turned out to be very talented horses. Following a summer break, Kellystown Lad made a moderate chasing debut for Ferdy Murphy in October 2010 but he really stepped up from that effort and seemed to be a chaser going places on his next 2 starts. A month later at Carlisle he ran a really nice race over an inadequate 2m on heavy ground where he flashed home to finish a 1L beaten 2nd despite pulling for much of the race. That day he finished in front of the peak 134 rated chaser Mohayer and it was a really nice effort. Later that month he improved upon that effort when stepped up to 2m4f at Sedgefield when running out an impressive winner who was value for more than his 2.75L margin of victory. The 3rd Chamirey was also a 134 rated chaser at his peak and Kellystown Lad comfortably disposed of that rival.

Although he seemed to have a very promising chasing career in front of him, it was pretty much all down hill from there as he never once reached the frame in his 8 final starts for Ferdy Murphy over fences between January 2011 and March 2012 and with his career seemingly derailed he joined Tom George this Autumn and he certainly has seemed a revitalised character when running two very good 3rds when beaten by single figure lengths in November when reverted to hurdles off a mark of 113. That is the mark he returns to over fences and based on the form of his win and 2nd for Ferdy Murphy then I think he certainly looks on a good mark if retaining his ability over the larger obstacles. I definitely believe that he is a better chaser than a hurdler so his recent return to form for his new trainer is a sign for significant optimism. Although now 10 and there is certainly an argument that he isn't the same horse as he was, he definitely isn't over the hill and a reproduction of anywhere near those two efforts in late 2010 should see him very hard to beat off his current mark. Tom George is in absolutely fantastic form at present with 31% of his runners in the past two weeks winning and this represents his only runner of the day - at a track where he has a 23% strike rate with his chasers. Young claimer Gerald Quinn - who I have been rather impressed with - takes the ride and a very handy 7lb off and I feel he is well worth his claim. Although it is a slight concern that Quinn is 1-33 over fences, his only win came at Taunton and is 2-2 at the course so he clearly rides the track very well and this represents his only ride of the day. Appearing a rejuvenated character for his bang in form trainer, I certainly feel that Kellystown Lad has a lot more to offer over fences off a mark of 113 and if rediscovering his early chasing form then I fancy Kellystown Lad to run a very big race which hopefully see him dispose of a tough opponent in Bennys Mist.

Johner

I think Cool George is too big a price in the next at Taunton.

BQQ

Taking a punt on Archelao in the 16:00

Has dropped a stone in the weights since April. Just hoping this will be the day he bounces back stepped up in trip.

UrbanSea

Bad racing today in terms of betting I think.

Small each way on Pret a Thou 20/1 3.10 Taunton. Has shown little in the last year since he was beaten a head 2011 backend and was rated as high as 140 over fences. Ran one of his better races when beaten 15 lengths by Open Day over hurdles in November (33/1 off 120). Down to 109 now and could see him making the place frame.

Luap

Wow how did Coleman stay on him. Very unlucky.

UrbanSea

UrbanSea wrote: »

Bad racing today in terms of betting I think.

Small each way on Pret a Thou 20/1 3.10 Taunton. Has shown little in the last year since he was beaten a head 2011 backend and was rated as high as 140 over fences. Ran one of his better races when beaten 15 lengths by Open Day over hurdles in November (33/1 off 120). Down to 109 now and could see him making the place frame.

Third at 20/1. Beats getting kicked in the head