Cork Sunday: Scealai could prove a different story for Elliott
3 min read
Rory Delargy believes the switch from Dermot Weld could spark improvement from Scealai Aonair
2:30 Irish Stallion Farms European Breeders Fund Noblesse Stakes
Bloomfield put up a career-best effort when second in the Give Thanks Stakes over track and trip when last seen in August, and the fact that she was able to win on heavy ground on her racecourse debut gives hope that she will be fully tuned for this after a break of over eight months. In fairness, the very fact that Willie McCreery is happy to start her off here suggests he thinks fitness is no issue, and with further improvement in the locker, she looks the one to beat. She is readily preferred to Clear Skies, who improved in leaps and bounds at Dundalk over the winter, but was soundly beaten in Lingfield’s Winter Derby last time, and must prove herself away from the Co. Louth venue.
Bet: Back Bloomfield @
4:45 Buy Online At Corkracecourse.ie Apprentice Handicap
Scealai Aonair disappointed last year for Dermot Weld, but it should be remembered that Weld had a pretty awful season on the whole, and the daughter of Fastnet Rock is an intriguing acquisition for Gordon Elliott, especially as a mark of 53 is very fair even on her maiden form over inadequate trips. There is every chance the switch of stables will see a revival, and she is the type to run up a sequence if that is the case, with longer trips likely to suit later on.
Bet: Back Scealai Aonair @
5:15 Cork Racecourse On Twitter Handicap
Aunty Audrey is drawn very wide here, but that may be a positive given the far rail is not the place to be in the straight when the ground is heavy, and Pat Flynn’s four-year-old filly is proven on the ground and has stamina for further, which are qualities which will be at a premium here. She was a winner over an extended mile here in October, and has run well on all five starts since. Such consistency is rare at this level of competition and makes her of more interest than her rivals off a lowly mark of 48.
Bet: Back Aunty Audrey @
