Back In Focus potential favourite for Munster Hurdle at Clonmel
Back In Focus, is hot favourite for the 2 mile and 4 furlong Munster Hurdle, to be held at Clonmel in Ireland on Thursday, February 16, 2012. The €6,900 event has seven runners waiting to go, and the race is scheduled to get underway at 03:05.
The line-up for this big race includes:
Back In Focus
Stephanie Kate
Turban
Dressedtothenines
Tofino Bay
Lord Redsgirth
Firebird Flyer
Back In Focus, is back in action after a long gap of almost 10 months. After having a bad trip in the Grade 1 John Smith's Sefton Novices' Hurdle last year, the rampant horse went on a long vocation.
He has just joined W. P. Mullins’ barn, and will be ridden by Ruby Walsh for the first time. Nobody has any doubt over, Back In Focus’ class and quality, and Walsh is expected to extract the best out of him.
Mullins would have worked hard on his fitness and thus, stamina should not be an issue for him tonight. Out of his total three races in 2011, Graham Wylie’s owned horse finished first on two occasions.
Stephanie Kate is likely to get the second highest starting price for this competition. Her confidence might be a bit shaky after a dismal show.
In the Leopardstown Handicap Chase, the six-year-old mare became lazy after a few initial furlongs, and as a result D. G. Hogan had to pull her out. She completed a hat-trick of runner-up positions last year.
Turban, started off his career with a bang, winning his debut race in November, 2011. However, the five-year-old gray gelding failed to carry forward the good work.
On the last day of 2011, Turban regained his momentum to take second position in the Tramore Racecourse Centenary Year Novice Hurdle. Today’s event will be a real test of his abilities, as his stable mate, Back In Focus, is determined for a dominating show.
Dressedtothenines, and Tofino Bay, have enough potential to spring up a surprise, but expecting something special will be too much to ask. Both contestants will have to come up with a steady run.
Likewise, Lord Redsgirth, Firebird Flyer, have bleak chances against this line-up. Lord Redsgirth, sealed a brilliant victory in the I.N.H. Stallion Owners European Breeders Fund Maiden Hurdle over Christmas, however, performing well against this lineup
will be tough for the seven-year-old.
Prediction
With a new jockey and trainer, Back In Focus, is expected to deliver a thumping performance. Stephanie Kate, and Turban, will aim for an upset, and might end up among the top three. The spectators are in for a treat.
Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are the writer's own and do not reflect Bettor.Com’s editorial policy.
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