Tramore, Sunday 19 April: Soft Ground Handicaps and a Mares’ Maiden Worth Targeting

Tramore, Sunday 19 April: Soft Ground Handicaps and a Mares' Maiden Worth Targeting

Tramore on soft ground on Easter Sunday. Seven races, a 17-runner handicap chase topping the bill, and plenty of each-way angles across a card that rewards patience and proper form study. The going suits a specific type here, so stamina, jumping ability on soft, and in-form stables are the filters that matter. Let's get into it.

2:08 — Irish Stallion Farms EBF Mares Maiden Hurdle (2m, Soft)

Thirteen mares, a 2m trip on soft ground, and a race where the form book is thin for most of these. The key angle here is straightforward: you need a mare who has shown she can handle conditions and has placed at this level without winning.

The selection is Crohan Lady at 5/1 with Bet365 and William Hill. The RPR of 118 is the standout figure in this field, and a TS of 99 tells you she is running close to her best on a consistent basis. The form string 409389 is not flashy, but she has been competitive at this level and this trip suits. Soft ground at Tramore is no obstacle to a mare who has been running on similar conditions throughout.

Evelyn at 17/2 with Bet365 is a legitimate alternative, with a TS of 95 showing good recent form, but Crohan Lady's higher RPR gives her the edge in a race where raw ability should prevail over market position.

4:28 — Core Bullion Traders Handicap Chase (2m5½f, Soft, 17 runners)

Sammy Smart heads the market at 11/4 with Bet365 and Coral, and the price reflects the obvious case. A TS of 112, RPR 124, and Darragh O'Keeffe in the saddle, he is the form pick at a trip and on ground that suits. The yard is 0/5 in the last 14 days which is a mild concern, but Thomas Gibney has placed horses well at tracks like this before, and O'Keeffe is the best booking on the card. The form 0-2164 shows a recent win and he has not fallen away since.

The each-way play in a field this size is Mount Frisco Each-Way at 11/1 with Bet365. An RPR of 127 is the highest number in this entire field, a TS of 117 confirms he is in form right now, and John Patrick Ryan's yard is 2/9 in the last 14 days, meaning runners from that stable are actually delivering. The form 113633 shows a horse consistently finding the places even when not winning. At 2m5½f on soft, you need a genuine stayer who jumps, and Mount Frisco fits. Four places paid at 1/5 odds in a 17-runner field means this is a proper each-way race.

Tullyveery Lad at 13/2 is worth noting. The form 74213 includes recent placed efforts and he has done his winning on soft. He has to be considered at that price each-way, though the top weight here nudges me towards Mount Frisco at the bigger number.

• Win: Sammy Smart, 11/4, Bet365/Coral
• Each-Way: Mount Frisco, 11/1, Bet365

5:00 — West Waterford Novice Handicap Chase (1m7½f, Soft, 10 runners)

Ten runners, a novice handicap chase, and a market dominated by Kotkito Bello at 3/1. The form 31115P is the issue. That P on the end of a sequence that contained three wins is a red flag, and at 3/1 in a handicap chase on soft ground, you are being asked to take a short price about a horse who pulled up last time. Pass.

The selection is In The Trenches Each-Way at 10/1 with Bet Victor, talkSPORT BET, and Betano. The RPR of 124 is the highest in this field, which is the critical number. The form 22F228 shows consistent placed efforts and only one fall, which came earlier in his chasing career. Gavin Cromwell's yard is 4/48 in the last 14 days, showing a stable that is actively finding winners. Keith Donoghue is a capable handler around a tight, undulating track like Tramore. At 10/1 in a 10-runner handicap chase, three places paid at 1/5 odds represents genuine each-way value for a horse with the best RPR in the race.

Nas Na Riogh at 9/2 with De Bromhead's yard in reasonable form at 6/58 is the market's second choice, but the form 36640 suggests he is struggling to get his head in front. Torquay Road at 9/1 each-way is a secondary option if you want two bites at the each-way apple.

• Each-Way: In The Trenches, 10/1, Bet Victor

Today's NAP