The main betting event of the weekend is the Irish Lincolnshire Handicap. The horse race itself is usually a cavalry charge run over a mile. The race returns to The Curragh now that it has undergone its redevelopment. I have written a preview taking a look at all of all the main protagonists and a few notable outsiders in the betting. If you are studying the form in order to place a bet, take a quick glance at my notes below.
Which Horses to Bet On ?
Patrick Sarsfield – Heads the betting market and is a general 5/1 chance. The three-year-old son of Australia was an easy four length winner of a maiden over the course and distance last October. This horse is clearly learning with each race. Soft ground would suit and with the trainer in form, it is clear to see why he features so prominently in the betting.
Numerian – Lowered the colours of the odds-on Sir Dragonet at Naas earlier in the week showing that he is fit and in good spirits. The horse certainly has a fitness edge over most of these. It wouldn’t be the biggest of surprises if he was to turn out again so quickly. The betting odds on this horse has shortened somewhat following that win and he has to merit serious consideration if lining up.
Lancaster House – Kicked off in game fashion when winning his first three races for Aidan O’Brien last season at Listowel, Tipperary and Galway. He is proven over further but the burden of top weight may just get in his way here. The horse has no previous experience here at the track either which has to be a concern. His price in the betting market is guided by who trains him.
Onlyhuman – Massively disappointing when seen here last August finishing stone cold last in the Irish Cambridgeshire. This horse has odds of around 14/1 in the betting but there is almost certainly better value to be had. He was last seen contesting a maiden hurdle a few weeks ago and that is probably where his immediate future lies.
Psychedelic Funk – This horse has had plenty of easier tasks in his career and he has was even turned over as an odds on favourite at this track in the past. He won a seven-furlong race at Leopardstown last Autumn. He has only ever won one race at this trip and that came four years ago. The handicapper has given him a chance but the betting market indicates he is a 16/1 shot and with him not getting any younger, it may pay to bet elsewhere.
Saltonstall – A previous course and distance winner who is still well treated on the best of his old form. He was given a peach of a ride by Colin Keane at Galway last summer to win a €120,000 handicap. The horse has run well here on plenty of other occasions and there is a lot to like about him if Adrian McGuinness has him ready to go at the first time of asking. Usually delivered fast and late, he is currently around a 16/1 shot according to the betting. He has plenty of experience around here to call upon and he has a live each way shout. There are worse bets to be had.
Bashiyr – This would be a minimum trip for the son of Dalakhani who shed his maiden in a race at Gowran Park last September. He was bet as though defeat was out of the question and justified that strong support to see off the challenge of Miss Clash. He was then sent to Galway to contest a rated race where he was able to dominate from the outset. Again he was subject to some well placed bets and again he backed up that market confidence. This horse race may well take him out of his comfort zone, but he can only improve on what we have seen so far. This horse’s odds are around 10/1 in the betting market and Dermot Weld is likely to have him primed and ready to go.
Njord – This four-year-old son of Roderic O’Connor certainly took a while to get his head in front. His first win in any race came in a handicap at Gowran Park when trained by Sheila Lavery. Since then he has put in consistent efforts in all of his races and picked up a subsequent win over this course and distance last autumn. This horse changed yards shortly thereafter and won his first race for Jessie Harrington less than a fortnight later. He relishes testing conditions and if they are similar here he could go well. He is around an 8/1 shot in the betting and given his relatively light weight, connections may have placed him rather shrewdly.
Aared – Seems to be a horse that tends to give his best runs at the first time of asking. He was well supported in the betting at Naas on his seasonal return three seasons ago beating Sister Blandina. Two seasons ago he was a relatively unconsidered 14/1 shot in the betting ring, but he won another valuable handicap at this track over slightly further. He hasn’t been seen since finishing down the field here on his only run last season. Kevin Prendergast will have taken his time to make sure his eight-year-old is back to his normal self and at his current odds of 20/1 he may be worth a bet, given his previous first time out record. If in the mood he can go well in the race for owner Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum.
Conclusion:
This horse race is ultra-competitive and the betting would indicate that Joseph O’Brien has a very strong hand with Numerian and Patrick Sarsfield. Both horses odds look quite tight though given this is likely to be at least a twenty-horse affair. There are several well handicapped horses due to line up in the race including Saltonstall and Aared who will be aiming to start their seasons on a high. Asides from last season where something was clearly amiss, Aared gets a tentative each way bet as he has proven he can go well after a long break. This son of Shamardal is a class act on his day and granted a decent draw, he will let his rivals know they have had a race.
