Originally posted by chrisbeekracing@Jan 12 2008, 06:15 AM
6lb better off on his Ladbroke Run where he was flashing into 4th but for flatenning the last;
Back off his proper mark and gets the heavy ground he relishes.
Last twice in this race he has had the misfortune of dreadful rides and Ado's horses are in great form at present. Beau Michael a real Triumph Hurdle contender. Victram is off a mark that suits him and has everything going for him, he has run better than it appears the last twice and he was unfortunate to make a mistake when staying on last time, also there aint no Jack The Giant amongst this lot and for me the Elliott horse hasn't looked too keen to go by on either of its last two runs, both times at Cheltenham came there running away only to throw in the towel, another 2nd awaits, this time to Victram
Respect for putting your neck on the block, Chris, and I hope he runs a big race for you.
Here's why I don't think he has any chance...
Firstly, in the Ladbroke, he wasn't "flashing" home. He was staying on at the same pace as the one I'd backed (Premier Dane) and neither the form book nor the race comments make any reference to a mistake at the last. He may well have flattened it but I doubt it cost him any ground or significant momentum.
Secondly, his Irish OR is 126 compared with his UK OR of 132. His top rating on my figures is 135, in a couple of races last season, notably in the TGT although the jockey was criticised for not getting him going soon enough then. So, he could arguably be 9lbs 'well in'.
Compare that with last year's Pearse:
Spring The Que won off 116 and didn't run again.
Mister Hight was second off 130 and subsequently ran to 150.
New Field was third off 113 and subsequently ran to 129 yet was still beaten an easy 3 lengths by Emmpat.
Maralan was fourth off 110 and was subsequently off a UK OR of 130 in the Fred Winter.
In the 2006 Pearse:
Studmaster won off 114 and was then off UK 143 in the County Hurdle although he had also hacked up of IOR 124 in between.
In 2005:
1. Essex (IOR 123, next time easy winner of the TGT off UK 144)
2. Mansony (IOR 114)
3. Al Eile (IOR 125)
Need I go on?
Victram, even off 6lbs lower in Ireland than in the UK, is likely to find a few several pounds better handicapped than him, regardless of how well the course and/or conditions will suit.
Whatever wins tomorrow will almost certainly prove to be thrown in. For all that Roman Villa is well in, I can't help thinking another three or four have been well hidden with this as a springboard to much better things. I don't have the time to study all the Irish form and even then it might not even help me find the winner so, as I said, I'll use the race to find future winners and trust that ALT Moore thinks Lenrey is good enough.