Longer trip should suit God Speed

GOD SPEED, having missed the break at Naas on Saturday, never could quite close the gap with the leading group and had to settle…

GOD SPEED, having missed the break at Naas on Saturday, never could quite close the gap with the leading group and had to settle for sixth place behind Short Shrift. She turns out again in the Nore Valley Handicap at Gowran this evening and being a Be My Guest filly the additional furlong should, if anything, prove an advantage.

The ground is reported to be good and this is a considerable achievement by the racecourse during the present dry spell. Luckily, there efforts have been rewarded by a decent turnout in all seven races. Nine oppose God Speed and the most serious challenge to the selection may come from La Loba, apprentice ridden when fourth to Parade Sauvage in a Naas maiden.

Eddie Lynam's Far Niente stumbled two furlong out over today's course and distance behind God Forbid recently and finished lame. The Don't Forget Me colt must have a chance in the Bagenalstown Claiming Race, although the Jim Bolger newcomer, Last Project, is likely to be favourite to continue the stable's fine run in juvenile events.

Lynam must also have reasonable prospects of winning the June Handicap with Zico, who looked a potential winner on his last visit here until run out of if by Sir Big John and Playprint. The runner up is again in opposition, but Zico is slightly preferred.

READ MORE

Before winning a Navan Hurdle with some ease, Bamapour had been performing well in Flat maidens. The six year old, who will be partnered by David Marnane, has strong claims in the Kilkenny City Handicap.

Micks Delight was a close up third at Leopardstown when making a pad mistake three out and dropping away. He takes on the winner, Springfort Lady, again in the Evergreen Handicap Chase and with Mark Dwyer travelling over for the ride on the Ronnie O'Leary trained six year old, he should go close.

My Trelawney won two hurdle races last year on fast ground, making all the running. Similar tactics will presumably he adopted in the John M Foley Hurdle and she may capable of conceding weight to Fresh Deal and Wesperada.