Graded races in Ireland

Nothing very exciting at today´s two U.K. meetings - over jumps at Hereford and on the all-weather at Southwell- but it is a different matter in Ireland, where both Cork and Punchestown stage good N.H. cards. Top race is the Grade One John Durkan Memorial, a 2 1/2 mile chase at 15.05 CET at the latter track. The field of 7 includes two previous winners - Joncol (Paul Nolan/ Paul Carberry), who scored in 2009, and last year´s winner Tranquil Sea (Edward O´Grady/ Barry Geraghty). We definitely prefer Joncol, who will love the heavy ground, and make him a confident selection. He slammed the useful Cooldine (Willie Mullins/ Ruby Walsh) last time, and the main danger could be the up-and-coming Rubi Light (Robbie Hennessy/ Andrew Lynch). This could be the second leg of a black-type double for Carberry as we also expect him to win the listed novice hurdle at 14.05 on Noel Meade´s Dylan Ross.

Punchestown - betting forecast:
1. Race: Not For Converting - A Fine Young Man - Please Talk
2. Race: Dylan Ross - Laganbank - Ballysteen
3. Race: That`ll Do Me - Would You Do That - Bonifacio
4. Race: Rubi Light - Joncol - Tranquil Sea
5. Race: Paddysparks - Miss Brownstown - Crash
6. Race: Conem - Seabass - Hidden Crack
7. Race: Morning Royalty - Pat Garrett - Star Of Massini


At Cork there are 3 graded races and the outstanding runner is Golden Silver (Willie and Emmet Mullins), who will be at long odds-on to win the Hilly Way Chase over 2 miles at 14.50; he has won this race before and is one of Ireland´s top 2-milers. On ratings he has nothing to fear today. Davy Russell could win the other two big races on Michael Hourigan´s Best Served Cold at 14.20 and Charlie Byrnes´ Knockfierna an hour later.

Cork - betting forecast:
1. Race: Trifolium - King Malik - Plato
2. Race: Corbally Ghost - Days Of Glory - Florida Express
3. Race: Golden Silver - Uncle Tom Cobley - Hughies Grey
4. Race: Shop Dj - Streamtown - Our Victoria
5. Race: Madame Mado - Norah Starr - Goidelic
6. Race: Edmundo - Mirador Del Conde - Really Unique
7. Race: Hasty Times - The Rattler Obrien - Think Alive


At Hereford, we would not be surprised to see the top-weights Moleskin (Vic Dartnall/ Denis O´Regan) and Cross the Flags (Jonjo O´Neill/ Tony McCoy) triumph at 15.15 and 15.45 respectively, while German-bred Alpha Way (Tom Symonds/ Felix de Giles) showed greatly improved form to win here last time over 2 miles and can follow up over three furlongs further at 16.15.

Hereford - betting forecast:
1. Race: Miss Milborne - Tarbeck - Saint Roque
2. Race: One Term - High On A Hill - Off The Ground
3. Race: Ascendant - King Fingal - Sahrati
4. Race: Epee Celeste - Western Whisky - Sea Saffron
5. Race: Kateal - Cross The Flags - Annimation
6. Race: Alpha Way - Sawpit Supreme - Brimham Boy
7. Race: Tip Of My Tongue - Derwen Pryde - Border Lad


It is hard to recommend anything at Southwell, but Ingleby Arch (David Barron/ Graham Gibbons), a course specialist at 6 furlongs, can take the claiming race over seven at 15.30 if he gets the extra furlong. He is the oldest horse in the field, but at his peak was far better than these opponents, and it is just a question of the distance.

Southwell - betting forecast:
1. Race: Bivouac - Overrule - Lifetime
2. Race: Sistine - Sky High Diver - Thank You Joy
3. Race: Sky Crossing - Availed Speaker - Bold Cuffs
4. Race: Adranian - Fouracres - Rio Grande
5. Race: Jobe - Autumn Blades - Ingleby Arch
6. Race: Il Battista - Beautiful Day - Absolute Princess
7. Race: Michael`S Nook - Greenhead High - Gracie`S Gift