A ten-year-old mare, having only her second start over fences, Avellino should be tough to beat in today’s opener in Clonmel.
The County Tipperary track is staging a six-race, all-chase card, with a rescheduled hurdle-only meeting now pencilled in for Tuesday.
On a modest card, the Dermot McLoughlin-trained Avellino looks the best bet in the Irish Stallion Farms Mares Beginners Chase.
Successful in two bumpers, at Down Royal (December, 2015) and Fairyhouse (January, 2016), she has, presumably, been difficult to train at times.
Runaway winner of a maiden hurdle in Ballinrobe, she chased home Master Eddman at Punchestown on New Year’s Eve 2019 and was reappearing after a 13 month absence when making her chasing debut at Fairyhouse last month.
Ridden by Adam Short, she came through to lead after the second last before a blunder at the final obstacle ended her chance, ultimately having to settle for third spot behind 134-rated Choungaya – beaten little more than three lengths.
This looks a good opportunity for Avellino, the mount today of Robbie Power.
And the Muhtathir mare is napped to beat Pepite De Belle, course winner of a maiden hurdle and out of her depth in the listed event won by Atlantic Fairy in Navan last time.
The Ciaran Murphy trained Brawler, placed in each of his three outings over fences, might be rewarded for his consistency in the Clonmel Beginners Chase.
A six-timer winner, but still a maiden over fences, the Pat Fahy-trained veteran Western Boy is worth noting in the Cloneen Handicap Chase. Racing off a chase mark of 104, less Richard Condon’s 7lb claim, he must have rock-solid claims.
And, Enda Bolger might take the concluding maiden hunters’ chase with the Harry Swan-ridden Saint Benedict.
Peter O’Hehir's tips for Clonmel
2.20.Avellino (Nap)
2.55.Brawler
3.30.Presenting Point
4.05.Western Boy
4.35.Marshalled
5.05.Saint Benedict
Next Best
2.20.Pepite De Belle
2.55.The White Volcano
3.30.An Marcach
4.05.Trumps Ace
4.35.Goulane Jessie
5.05.Clounts Glory
Double : Avellino and Brawler.
O’Hehir’s Longshot : Encore Lui (3.30.)
