Tramore August Racing Festival Day Two Preview

It’s day two of Tramore Racecourse’s August Festival and today’s card consists of seven races; two steeplechases, four hurdles and a bumper.

Read on for a full preview of and tips for the Tramore card, courtesy of Boyle Sports, who provide the latest horse racing odds.

Up first is a two and three quarter mile chase (5.00). We have only five runners here, of which two won their last starts under this code; Spanish Harlem and Dark Note. The former is the classier of the two, so should be able to beat the latter easily enough, but they might both need out for the likes of Caesar Rock; a useful nine-year-old who, while a touch inconsistent, is a front-end finished ordinarily.

Next is a handicap chase over the same trip (5.35). Onefortheditch has been going well lately over comparable trips and, now down in the handicap for what is only her second start over fences, she could be involved. Course and distance winner Likeable Chancer, a veteran at 11-years-old, was in good form when last seen at Roscommon, finishing fourth of 16, and is now down a further pound in the handicap so could do even better.

Race three is a maiden hurdle over the extended two miles (6.10). Both Dolce N’ Milana and Hamish Mc Tavish are newcomers, with the former likely to be the best of the two, trained by Willie Mullins and related to some nice winners. They will both have to work quite hard to beat some of those previous form, however, namely Henry De Bromhead’s Captain Ryan Matt, who was very good when last seen finishing second of 20 at Gowran Park. He might want the ground softer, however, so it could be worth looking in the direction of Penny Express, who is more at home on a sounder surface.

The fourth race is a mares’ handicap hurdle over the same trip (6.45). Onebrightbluerose should be a good option, having finished a close third of 14 last time out at Wexford, and she might be in a better position as regards the handicap today. The four-year-old A Snow White Park also should be in with a good chance, despite being up against older, hardened handicappers, having displayed some ability up against her own age group, so could be placed here.

A mares’ maiden hurdle follows over two miles and five furlongs (7.19). Charity Barnum should be involved here, having come down the handicap three pounds after a good fifth of 14 last time over a shorter trip at Kilbeggan, but she’s not overly well proven at this trip. Sam Curling’s Kilmore Coral could do well here as she was a useful point-to-pointer, so is, therefore, well proven to stay.

Over the same trip, the next race is a handicap hurdle (7.49). Gerald Keane’s Mephisto seeks a hat-trick here today, but carries a hefty penalty which might scupper his chances. Down the bottom end of the handicap, Spellacy’s Cross should have a good chance. We know he stays, he’s in good form as per his last three runs, and he is given a useful five pounds by his claiming rider. He should be able to win this off his current mark.

Finally, the evening’s racing concludes with a bumper (8.19). Highland Realm, trained by Willie Mullins, and Gulf Coast Highway, trained by Andrew Slattery, are the debutants, with the former probably being the better of the two, coming from the family of Grade One level hurdler Wicklow Brave. Alaskan View might be the best of those with form, based on her last run at Wexford which saw her finish second of 10, but she was well-exposed prior to this and has still to prove herself.

Tramore selections - Friday:

5.00 - Spanish Harlem 5.35 - Likeable Chancer 6.10 - Penny Express 6.45 - Onebrightbluerose 7.10 - Kilmore Coral 7.49 - Spellacy’s Cross 8.19 - Highland Realm