Saving Bond to bring dividends

The highlight at Tralee today is likely to be an intriguing Nash's Handicap Hurdle where Saving Bond is selected to reverse Galway…

The highlight at Tralee today is likely to be an intriguing Nash's Handicap Hurdle where Saving Bond is selected to reverse Galway Hurdle form with Toast The Spreece. Three others in this field, Space Trucker, Major Jamie and I Remember It Well, also ran in that Galway highlight and cannot be discounted. Colm's Rock is another that should be right in the firing line at his best.

All in all, it's an extremely tight and competitive field but circumstances could now be more in Saving Bond's favour.

Having said that, the circumstances at Galway looked to be ideal for Noel Meade's gelding. After landing the GPT Amateur Handicap on the Monday, Saving Bond was in line for a £20,000 bonus had he won the Hurdle, but he never really showed with a winning chance as Toast The Spreece just outpointed Kinnescash to win.

Saving Bond finished almost 10 lengths behind in fourth having stayed on from the rear for Paul Carberry. Today, Barry Geraghty takes over in the plate and claims a valuable 5lbs. Put that together with the 8lb swing Saving Bond now enjoys with Toast The Spreece, a smaller field around a tighter track and a sounder surface and the horse becomes an attractive proposition.

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The topweight, Space Trucker, was just beaten in this race last year and finished well down the field at Galway. However, on the flat at Curragh last time he ran a blinder, having been left at the start, and looked all over the winner until the late sprint of Colm's Rock.

That only proved the good form Colm's Rock is in but, along with stablemate Toast The Spreece, he looks to have an onerous task carrying this weight. I Remember It Well finished seventh at Galway but could run very well here and would be less inconvenienced by rain softening the ground than some of the others. All things considered, Saving Bond looks the one to be on.

Darbela looks a type to make all the running in the Carrolls Ladies Race. John Oxx's filly used those tactics to good effect when beating Carnelly and Night Raider at Roscommon and looks a pretty straightforward ride for Tracy Lynagh.

Aidan O'Brien can take the opening two juvenile races with the fillies Kincara Palace and Musk Lime. The latter is one of six O'Brien fillies in the O'Brien Cup but looks the best of them judged on her second to Heed My Warning at Gowran.

Mr K's Winterblues jumped and ran well when second to Holly's Pride here on Sunday and should like the longer trip of the Beginners Chase.

Brian O'Connor

Brian O'Connor

Brian O'Connor is the racing correspondent of The Irish Times. He also writes the Tipping Point column