It has certainly felt like there's been a change in the air in the last few days as heavy rain and cold winds have battered Ireland. I was working at Navan on Saturday and had my woolly hat on for most of the day and there was definitely a wintry feel about the place.
With a better forecast for this week, fingers crossed summer returns for a short while at least, and drying conditions might mean it's hard work for the horses at Roscommon today.
Conditions are currently described as Soft, Yielding in places, but I'd expect the ground to dry up by the time racing begins at 4.00 and that could mean it rides very tacky as the meeting progresses.
As such, staying power could be the name of the game and I'm quite sweet on the chances of LADY SAVANAH in the Frenchpark Handicap following her fine second at Cork only six days ago.
She has a quick turnaround to overcome but there is plenty to like about her chances on paper, not least the fact that her Cork exploits came on heavy ground and that she has winning form over further. That guaranteed stamina could be crucial here, especially if Danny Sheehy tries to make use of her plumb draw in stall two.
She looks a knocking each-way bet at 11/2 with plenty of firms paying four places on the race, and I like the fact that many of her main market rivals - the likes of Adapt To Dan (13), Navorrosse (14) - are draw out wide on a course where early track position can prove crucial.
Agent Zero wasn't too far behind Lady Savanah at Cork (fifth) but even his draw in stall seven hands the selection an initial advantage and I'm convinced she'll run another big race.
My second and final bet on the card is another each-way play with LADY IRONSIDE ticking plenty of boxes in the roscommonracecourse.ie Apprentice Maiden.
Current favourite Alghazaal is a worthy market leader on the form of his Cork run recently when finishing second and having Lady Ironside back in fifth.
However, having kicked clear on that occasion, Alghazaal was running on empty late on as he was worn down in the closing stages, and I'm not convinced stepping up almost two furlongs in distance on bad ground will show him to best effect.
In contrast, I think Lady Ironside is crying out for this longer trip and I'm convinced she is better than her finishing position at Cork suggests having encountered any amount of traffic problems that day before running-on strongly under hands and heels riding.
Having appeared well-positioned sitting on the rail in midfield, she found herself shuffled back and then checked on a number of occasions by tiring horses, and I thought she did well to run as well as she did in the end.
Early market support Vultan makes him of interest but Lady Ironside looks too big at the prices (13/2) and is worth a small interest.
Posted at 1030 BST on 31/08/20
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