Kevin Blake
12.10 ONLINE TICKETS FROM WWW.TRAMORE-RACECOURSE.COM MARES MAIDEN HURDLE 2M
This revolves around the Willie Mullins-trained Valyssa Monterg. The winner of three AQPS flat races when trained in France, she was sent off at 4/9 for her Irish debut in a maiden hurdle over an extended two miles, six furlongs at Thurles last month, but failed to fire at the latter end of proceedings. The fact that she is dropped notably in trip for this contest suggests that her connections may feel it was lack of stamina that cost her at Thurles and it wouldn’t surprise to see her gain compensation here. Her most interesting rival is the John Berry-trained Day Day, who has shaped well over this course and distance on her hurdling debut in April and run well in a bumper at Wexford last time.
Selection: VALYSSA MONTERG
Next best: Day Day
12.45 WWW.TRAMORE-RACECOURSE.COM HANDICAP HURDLE (80-95) 2M
The nod is given to the Danny Howard-trained Duty Dance. The nine-year-old ran as well as ever when second at Fairyhouse last month and while this test may prove a shade sharp for her, she seems sure to go close. Of the rest, the Peter McCreery-trained Miss Faithful makes appeal based on her solid performances in her last two outings.
Selection: DUTY DANCE
Next best: Miss Faithful
1.20 2015 TRAMORE ANNUAL BADGE - GREAT GIFT FOR CHRISTMAS MAIDEN HURDLE 2M 5F
The most promising horse in the race is perhaps the Gordon Elliott-trained Speed Demon. The five-year-old won a point-to-point and ran well in a bumper at Down Royal last year but picked up an injury in the latter contest that ruled him out for the season. He made a satisfactory return on his hurdling debut at Fairyhouse last month and with him being entitled to improve in this weaker contest, he is selected to prevail. The Jim Culloty-trained Marvellous Moment would have strong claims if belatedly building on the promise of his hurdling debut at Thurles last month.
Selection: SPEED DEMON
Next best: Marvellous Moment
1.55 WATERFORD & TRAMORE SUPPORTERS CLUB HANDICAP HURDLE (80-109) 2M 5F
Eoin Doyle is always a trainer to be respected at this track and his Indian Fairy looks to have leading claims. The six-year-old won a maiden hurdle over this course and distance in August and has been acquitting herself well over fences since then.
Indeed, she now makes her return to hurdling off a 13lb lower mark than she holds over fences, making her an appealing prospect in this. The main danger to her looks to be the Tom Nagle-trained The Bold Beckey. She has two wins over this course and distance to her name already and comes into this off the back of an authoritative win at Clonmel.
Selection: INDIAN FAIRY
Next best: The Bold Beckey
2.30 FOLLOW TRAMORE RACECOURSE ON FACEBOOK BEGINNERS CHASE 2M 6F
Jim Culloty might have the answer to this puzzle in the shape of Company Coming. The six-year-old failed to win over hurdles, but made an encouraging seasonal and chasing debut at Thurles last month, finishing second to The Doorman. He seems sure to improve from that and is likely to go very close. The pick of his rivals looks to be the Robert Tyner-trained Dfordarsi as while he was no star over hurdles, he could well prove to be a better horse over fences.
Selection: COMPANY COMING
Next best: Dfordarsi
3.05 WATERFORD & TRAMORE DIRECTORS HANDICAP CHASE (0-102) 2M 6F
This is really competitive and marginal preference is given to the Gavin Cromwell-trained Mallards In Flight. The eight-year-old comes into this in fine form over hurdles having finished second in her last two starts and returns to chasing off a 7lb lower mark than she has over hurdles. Conditions will suit and she should run very well. The best of the rest is perhaps the Shane Ryder-trained Halls Bridge following his win at Wexford last time.
Selection: MALLARDS IN FLIGHT
Next best: Halls Bridge
3.40 RING IN THE NEW YEAR ON JAN 1ST AT TRAMORE LADIES FLAT RACE 2M
An intriguing contest to close proceedings and without doubt the most interesting horse in the field is the Gordon Elliott-trained Altiepix. Having won his point-to-point by a distance in February, he made an encouraging seasonal and hurdling debut when second to the promising Alpha Des Obeaux at Punchestown last month. He now returns to bumper company and is sure to be difficult to beat. The main danger to him could well be the Tony Martin-trained Delvin Road, with the son of Beneficial having finished third at Punchestown last time.
Selection: ALTIEPIX
Next best: Delvin Road