Red Oak a bumper contender

Kilbeggan Racecourse: Preview and Tips for Friday’s Seven-Race Card

It’s Kilbeggan Racecourse’s End of Season Celebration meeting tonight, with a seven-race card which features four hurdle races, two steeplechases and a bumper.

We kick off with a two-mile maiden hurdle (3.57). A Mayo Breeze and Ida Picked Her are the newcomers here, both looking to be promising types on paper, while King’s Son debuts under rules today having been runner up in a maiden point-to-point in April. David Kelly’s Nelson Muntz should run a good race, fit from a Flat campaign and having shown ability over hurdles last year. Class pointer Carry On Heidi could be a revelation over hurdles, having been a touch disappointing on her bumper debut, and might improve drastically with obstacles to clear again.

We stay over two miles for race two; a handicap hurdle (4.32). Donncha Duggan’s Ballykinlar recently completed a hat-trick over half a mile further, and steps back down in trip today to attempt to make it a four-timer. Carrying more weight today over a sharper distance, though, he might not be able to do so. Paul’s Dream won last time out at Wexford but, up in class today, carries very little weight in comparison to that day, given Sean Cleary-Farrell’s seven pounds to boot, so could run a big race.

Race three is a two and a half mile maiden hurdle (5.07). Minella Supreme, who showed lots of ability in bumpers, was unlucky to almost fall on hurdle debut at Downpatrick when leading, simply showing inexperience, and could do better today. Cian Collins’ Chantilly Wings could be one to watch out for though, having finished in the first four in each of three starts over hurdles so far.

Following is a handicap hurdle run over three miles and a furlong (5.37). Winning pointer Quarry Tiepy has respectable form in maiden hurdles and could come into his own in handicap company with a seven-pound claimer on board, and the slight step up in trip looks to be a positive too. Georgina’s Jet looks a danger though, after finishing second of 11 last time out at Ballinrobe over two and three quarter miles, and could do better further up in trip today.

A beginners’ chase is next over an extended two and a half miles (6.07). Henry De Bromhead’s Full Of Life, both a winning pointer and hurdler, is tried over fences under rules for the first time here, but has little in the way of unknowns in this sphere, with her pointing form. Ho My Lord is intriguing, back in beginners company despite having run in handicap chases on three occasions, therefore has significantly more chasing experience than his opponents here. This leaves him with few excuses, though, if beaten again.

The penultimate race is a two and a half mile handicap chase (6.37). Nas Na Riogh has come down to a workable mark for Henry De Bromhead, and his case is helped along by five-pound claiming rider Oakley Brown. Mouse Morris’ Caesar Rock, though, shouldn’t be overlooked after a win last time out at Tramore over two furlongs further. He may prove to be the main danger to the favourite, having really found his feet over fences this term.

Finally, racing concludes with a two and half mile bumper (7.07). Muted Melody looked promising from a long way back last time at Wexford and, given different tactics, could be closer to the front this time for Tony Mullins. Red Oak should go well also after finishing a close second of 10 last time at this track over two miles.

Preview and tips for the Kilbeggan card, courtesy of Betano, who provide all the latest horse racing odds.