RACING:DECEMBER HAS already been a very good month for Bay Of Kotor and he can put a St Stephen's Day seal on it by completing a hat-trick at Down Royal.
It’s just a week since the five-year-old beat Ferry Point at Fairyhouse but just a couple of days after that Bay Of Kotor followed up at Navan in a performance that looked if anything more impressive.
Clearly progressive he lines up for Monday’s Opportunity Handicap Hurdle in the form of his life and a 6lb penalty for that Navan win doesn’t look enough to stop him.
Top amateur Robbie McNamara travels north for the day and it will be fascinating to see if he can work the oracle on Rocky Wednesday in one of the maiden hurdles.
The Gigginstown horse has run eight times over jumps since being bought out of David Wachman’s yard and it is surprising he is still a maiden considering he boasts a 120 rating.
This race looks to represent a perfect opportunity and McNamara’s subtlety in the saddle will be no negative for Rocky Wednesday’s chance.
Trainer Daniel Miley will make the journey north from Ashford in Co Wicklow with Hi Big Man who lines up in the bumper.
Based on the evidence of this one’s last start at Roscommon in May he has no chance as he was beaten almost 100 lengths. However, he was clearly not right on that occasion and is better judged on his debut when finding only Reizovic too good.
Noel Meade gives the frustrating Mickelson another shot in the two-and-a-half mile maiden hurdle while Gordon Elliott gives Lord Redsgirth a first start in over six months.
A better option may be Inside Shadow who didn’t cut much ice on his last start but didn’t run badly before that on this course behind Ipsos Du Berlais.
Jim Dreaper runs one in the bumper at Leopardstown on Monday but a better chance of a Christmas winner could be Cadogan in the Beginners Chase.
Finishing runner-up to Raptor may well end up looking a smart piece of form before the season ends and Cadogan can go in here against Gran Torino and High Dessert who represent other smart novice form.
