ORTAC ROCK 3.40 LEICESTER (Each Way)
Ortac Rock was claimed for 8k out of Richard Hannon’s yard and he is the first ever horse Fahey has claimed from Hannon. He has picked up horses from Hannon at the sales but never this way. Ortac Rock was beaten around 7ls last time at Chester but the run can be forgiven as he didn’t handle constantly being on the turn. The form looks sound with the third and fourth home subsequently winning a 0-100. The second has placed in a 0-95 and the fifth has placed in a 0-85. Previously, on his debut for Fahey, Ortac Rock was beaten 3ls into fourth in a 0-95 at Newcastle. Laffan was just 0.5l ahead of him and he won a 0-95 at the weekend. He is now 8lbs lower than in April when beaten a length in a 0-85. He has conditions to suit today and there appears to be a lot of pace in the race which will suit in what is his easiest assignment for some time.
Liberty Jack looks certain to be the jolly. He won his maiden in a canter at 4/11 and then was third in a 0-80 on his handicap debut. He tends to be slow away in his races but likes to lead. Clearly the cheekpieces have had the desired effect but Charlton appears to be slowly going out of form. 12-60 in last 60 days, 2-31 in the last 30 days, 1-19 in the last 14 days and 0-5 in the last 7 days. What is more concerning is that he is a son of Azeema and is related to Trader Jack and Major Jack who both have major quirks. Her sons have managed just 2 wins from 27 races between them. He is also 6lbs higher than the last time he run in a handicap.
Jonnie Skull is a revelation at Yarmouth but this is Leicester and he’s off a career high mark. He won at Yarmouth off 54 in April and is now 26lbs higher. He won a 0-85 last time off 71 but this is a big ask away from the seaside and he will have lots of company for the lead.
Illustrious Prince won off a higher mark when he was a 3yo, 78, but since being with Declan Carroll he is 0-26 off marks higher than 72. He is 1-18 on good to firm.
Dance With Dragons was beaten 6ls off this mark in a 0-80 last time and makes his debut against his elders. He was just under 3ls behind Liberty Jack a few runs back and off the same weights he shouldn’t turn it around. He is consistent enough but the handicapper appears to have him where he wants him.
Bogsnog loves to lead and he will have company here. He did win at Newcastle in April after missing the break but this is a brand new world today as he has never run over 7f before. It is a big ask as he is 0-5 in class 4, only placing the once.
Breccbannoch was third to Yojimbo in a 0-75 last week where he tried to make all and if he employs the same tactic here he may well end up in a pace battle. There was a lot to like about the performance but he is up in grade here. The tongue tie has definitely appeared to help him and he wears cheekpieces for the first time today. Durack is 0-9 with horses in first time headgear. However, Durack doesn’t usually tilt at windmills, 9-54 with horses rising in class, and Breccbannoch should run well.
Ceelo has a maiden win to his name when with Richard Hannon and has shown very little for Sylvester Kirk. He has been weak in the finish in all his races bar one this season when he kept on over 7f here. He likes to lead and will have company. He has dropped 9lbs in the handicap this season but the fact he is 0-7 in handicaps with just one place suggests he may have to drop a few more pounds or head for a claimer.
Diamond Belle was beaten over 26ls in a 0-90 last time and that run is best forgotten. She was previously third in a 0-80 carrying 10-0. She is related to Blanche Dubawi who was listed class for these connections. However, all her best form has come on flat tracks and her half sister appeared to prefer them. Looking at her last three runs off 78, she probably needs to drop in the weights.
Available has conditions to suit and won over course and distance in May. That race has worked out well with the second and third subsequently winning at least twice since. She is another prominent racer and will get taken along for the ride here. However, she is the last winner on the flat for this yard and they are 1-39 since with the winner over the sticks in early July, 0-16 since.
Conclusion: This should be fast and furious and it should go to a closer. Ortac Rock is tactically adept so he should be suited by the pace. My main worry is that he will be eligible for a 0-75 should he lose this. However, there are so many negatives around in this race and he is too big a price to ignore. He should be thereabouts and should repay each way investment.
