Roscommon betting tips: Peter O'Hehir's selections for…

Roscommon betting tips: Peter O'Hehir's selections for today's horse racing

Farclas should make it three-from-three over fences in tonight’s BetVictor Novice Chase in Roscommon.

The Gordon Elliott-trained five-year-old, winner of the JCB Triumph Hurdle at Cheltenham last year, failed to sparkle over hurdles over the winter months.

But he has produced two solid performances in his initial excursions over fences. And he looks set to retain his unbeaten chasing record here, although he would, arguably, be more effective over a longer trip than this extended two miles.

On his fencing bow at Down Royal last month, Farclas took time to hit top gear but, ultimately, forged clear to beat Cliff House.

Unfancied in the market and sent off at 2/1 on that occasion, Farclas was an odds-on chance to follow-up at Punchestown nine days later and, duly, delivered, beating Or Jaune De Somosa in good style.

The runner-up is 4lb. better off for his attempt to turn the tables here. But Farclas, five and a half lengths superior at Punchestown, should confirm the form.

Edward O’Grady’s French import Rasiym, shaped with plenty of promise on his Irish debut at Tipperary, when beaten three-quarters of a length by Hasanabad in a flat maiden in late April.

On the strength of that effort, Rasiym was sent off favourite for a five-runner conditions event in Killarney in mid-May.

But he flopped badly, finishing a well-beaten fourth of five behind former Grade 1 level hurdler Arctic Fire.

If he can recapture the sort of form he displayed at Tipperary, Rasiym should prove too strong for the
experienced Rocky Shores and Razool.

Joseph O’Brien’s Galilean, which beat Mr Everest in a maiden hurdle at Fairyhouse over Easter, might be
capable of defying top-weight in the Dermot Hughes Car Sales Rated Novice Hurdle.

It Looks a tight affair, with Cosmo’s Moon and Take A Turn holding obvious claims. But the 7lb. claim of Darragh O’Keeffe might give Galilean the edge.