The Sneezer

The Sneezer set a fast pace and kept it up all the way to the line to win the Shamrock Handicap Chase over two miles and two furlongs at Gowran on Sunday for the second successive year. This was a really impressive performance, he jumped accurately, and the time was really good. Uncle Tom Cobley was the only horse who tried to go with him, and he was readily burned off from the third last fence and was beaten over 21 lengths.

It is difficult to explain this performance, but maybe it was down to first-time blinkers. Tom Nagle’s gelding readily turned the form around with Jack Absolute from their running at the same track three weeks previously, he was 11lb better off with that rival but turned the form around to the tune of 40 lengths. He did win this race last year, so he may have been trained to the minute for it again, but even so, it was a really impressive performance and, even having been raised 14lb, he may be worth following next time. It may be worth taking the chance that second-time blinkers will have the same effect, as there is a chance that the market will not fully believe this performance.

The Topanoora gelding obviously goes very well at Gowran Park, his last three wins have come at the Kilkenny track, he does tend to jump a little out to his right, so the right-handed nature of the track suits, and he handles easy ground well. On the back of this career-best effort, he would also be interesting back over hurdles off a handicap mark of 103, especially if he is back at Gowran.

10th March 2012