27th-Sept-2013

Having run so well in the Cambridgeshire last year, it is probable that Bancnuanaheireann has been aimed at the race again all year, but he has just missed out on getting into the main race. Indeed, having run as well as he could have done at the weights in conditions races on his last two runs, connections can probably count themselves unlucky that he hasn’t made the field for the Cambridgeshire. Actually, under different conditions he may even have won his most recent start and picked up a penalty that would have taken him into the race.

The flip side of that, of course, is that he is potentially a well-handicapped horse now for this race. He is 1lb lower than when he finished fourth in last year’s Cambridgeshire, and that form is very strong. He was third home on the far side, behind Mull Of Killough (who is much-improved since) and Boom And Bust, and ahead of Mukhadram and Chil The Kite (now rated 22lb and 11lb higher respectively). If he can produce that effort today, then he obviously has a major chance.

He has been fairly lightly raced this year compared to last year (probably reflective of the fact that his connections thought he was well-treated), and he was given a break prior to his most recent run at Bath. The ground was a bit loose for him that day, and he didn’t look to be going on it early on, but he got into the race, made a big move four wide around the home turn, and actually traded at 1.2 in-running before he probably just tired a little on his first run for six weeks.

Today’s ground should be ideal, we know he handles the track well, nine furlongs is probably his ideal trip (he won over this trip at Goodwood early this season as well), and he should be better for that run 12 days ago. The booking of Kieren Fallon looks significant and stall 15 is good. It means that Fallon can go whichever way he wants.

Also, in the three previous renewals of this race, high-weighted horses have done well, horses who were probably being aimed at the Cambridgeshire itself. In 2010 and 2011, five of the six places were filled by horses carrying 9st 9lb or 9st 10lb. Bancnuanaheireann carries 9st 9lb today.

BANCNUANAHEIREANN WON (SP 14/1)