Tramore August Festival Day One Preview
Tramore four-day August Festival gets underway today. Photo: Noel Browne
Tramore Racecourse presents its latest race meeting, largely populated by National Hunt races, two steeplechases and four hurdles, but supplemented by a Flat Ladies Maiden at the end of the card.
Read on for a full preview of and tips from the Tramore card, courtesy of BoyleSports, who provide the latest horse racing odds.
The action kicks off with a two-mile novice chase (5.05). There are only four runners here, of which Henry De Bromhead’s is the only one with a win under her belt this term, now two from three starts since May. On ratings, Andrew McNamara’s Enjoy The Dream is up to her standard, and might be at an advantage, carrying four pounds less today. He may need the run, however, coming off a break, hence it may pay to side with the mare again.
Next is a beginners’ chase over two and three quarter miles (5.35). Gordon Elliott’s Cher Tara has been promising for the yard so far, winning over hurdles, and is proven over the trip so could be capable of winning this. Ross O’Sullivan’s On Lovers Walk has shown some ability over fences already, having run quite well in his four most recent starts over the larger obstacles. After a break and with a jockey change, he could be our winner today.
Race three is a four-year-olds’ maiden hurdle over two miles (6.05). The dual-purpose Louiescall could be in with a chance, despite having been a bit underwhelming over hurdles so far this term. A win on the Flat when last seen at Leopardstown may have set him up well to improve today. Denis Hogan’s Tatateo should be a main player too, having placed on each of his three most recent starts over hurdles.
The fourth race is a two-mile handicap hurdle (6.35). Yosemite Gold and Expound both won their last starts in this code, while Jerrari seeks a hat-trick today. Yosemite looks to have the best chance of repeating winning form today, making his handicap debut under Phillip Enright. In first-time cheekpieces, Granpa Ger might also be worth a look after placing last time out under Danny Mullins, who rides again.
Following is a two and a half mile rated novice hurdle (7.05). We have only five runners here, but this still looks a good race, with each horse bringing good recent form to the table. David Kelly’s Faceman should have a solid chance, after a promising second of 13 last time out at Kilbeggan under Brian Hayes, who rides again. Time In A Bottle also should be able to finish in the top three, ridden by a seven-pound claimer, and is nicely proven over the trip.
The penultimate race is a two and a half mile handicap hurdle (7.35). Timothy Doyle’s Thats All could manage a top three finish, having won his second last start and followed up nicely with a third of 18 at Cork. Shark Hanlon’s Mother Ship looks another potential candidate under the seven-pound claiming Paddy Hanlon, but she is an inconsistent sort who has proven to be unreliable. Silent Selector might be able to go well here given better luck in the preliminaries.
Finally, the evening’s racing concludes with a two-mile Flat race (8.05). 11-year-old veteran Winter Fog is a high class horse who is way above this level and ought to be able to do this in his sleep. He was below his best last time out at the Galway Festival, but the omission of hurdles here could give him an easy race to win. The Banger Doyle also should be in there with a chance as he is a reliable sort coming from a yard whose representatives are holding their form well at present.
5.05 - Ma Belle Etoile 5.35 - On Lovers Walk 6.05 - Tatateo 6.35 - Yosemite Gold 7.05 - Faceman 7.35 - Thats All 8.05 - Winter Fog
