Race Title & Conditions + Pace & Draw Angles
- Race: 7.37 Tramore – Brennan’s Pharmacy Handicap
- Conditions: 4yo+ Flat handicap, 2 miles, yielding ground. 11 runners.
- Pace Scenario: Even to strong gallop likely, with Shoda and No Niki No likely to be handy early. Not Just Any Eagle and Highwind could also push forward.
- Draw Angles: No significant bias on Tramore’s tight right-handed track at this trip.
Strongest Contenders, Main Dangers, Interesting Outsiders & Trends
Strongest Contenders
- Shoda (Joseph O’Brien / Dylan McMonagle) – Proven & progressive. Second in a deep-field Galway handicap (2m, good to soft), finishing strongly. Clear form edge here, unexposed at staying trips, and handles ground. Up 5lb, but profile of a horse still improving.
- So Scottish (Emmet Mullins / Donagh Meyler) – Promising. Rated 139 over hurdles, this is his Flat handicap debut. Has strong staying credentials and the yard excels at placing horses cleverly. Likely to improve significantly on the level.
Main Dangers
- Highwind (Willie Mullins / J P Shinnick) – Proven (in France). Lightly raced dual-purpose type. Yet to fully deliver for Mullins but was 3rd in a stronger event at Leopardstown and should appreciate step back up in trip. Must prove stamina over 2m.
- Curious Bride (Emmet O’Connell) – Proven. Course winner in July and shaped well since. Didn’t fire latest but may bounce back returned to Tramore.
Interesting Outsiders
- The Truant (Paul Flynn) – Proven. Holds form well in staying races; never far away in these events. Possible each-way play at a big price if strong pace materialises.
- No Niki No (Edward O’Grady) – Proven, but stamina doubts. Won over shorter here in July, didn’t stay 2m1f on latest run and stamina is a clear concern.
Hold-Up Risks
- Ephesus, Action Plan, and Harry’s Legacy will likely be played late and are pace-reliant types needing gaps. Risk of getting too far back in a field where pace could collapse but positioning will matter.
Runner Scores & Suitability Analysis
| Horse | Score (/10) | Suitability & Note |
|---|---|---|
| Shoda | 9/10 | Perfect trip/ground profile; progressive |
| So Scottish | 8/10 | Strong jumps horse; well-handicapped Flat debut |
| Highwind | 7/10 | Step back up in trip a plus, solid effort last time |
| Curious Bride | 6/10 | Back at preferred venue; bit to prove on recent form |
| The Truant | 6/10 | Honest and consistent, pace would help |
| No Niki No | 5/10 | Course winner, but stamina unproven at 2m |
| Not Just Any Eagle | 5/10 | Occasionally runs well fresh; difficult to predict |
| Ephesus | 4/10 | Likely held up; reliant on luck and pace collapse |
| Harry’s Legacy | 4/10 | Below form lately; needs complete revival |
| Action Plan | 3/10 | Modest profile; opposable |
| Enge Hazard | 2/10 | Little recent encouragement; looks regressive |
Advice:
“Keep an eye on the market for support or big drifts for runners returning from layoffs of 90+ days.”
“Watch out for in-form hurdlers or dual-purpose types making Flat handicap debuts.”
Each-Way Angles (11 runners – each-way suitable)
- So Scottish – Trainer excels with jumpers turned Flat types; unexposed, could be well-treated.
- The Truant – Genuine stayer; solid each-way claims with an even gallop.
Private Tissue Estimate
- Shoda – 2/1
- So Scottish – 7/2
- Highwind – 6/1
- Curious Bride – 10/1
- The Truant – 12/1
- No Niki No – 14/1
- Others – 20/1+
Market watch advised for runners making their 2nd start or Flat debut.
Summary & Smart Play
A race where Shoda brings proven staying form in competitive company and is clearly the one to beat on the book. So Scottish is the fly in the ointment – extremely well treated if transferring jumps ability to the Flat. Highwind is respected on class but has a bit to prove stamina-wise.
Smart Play:
- Win: Shoda – Well-handicapped, in-form, strong finishing effort at Galway stands out.
- Each-Way Saver: So Scottish – Dangerous profile; jumps form suggests upside on Flat.
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