THE NAP DANCES IN! Shamrock landed his nap, Gala Dancer (WON 4-5), at Ballinrobe yesterday and is looking to a horse called hero at Cork this evening to continue a sequence. Look out for his outsiders at 17.0 and 22.0.


It’s no secret. Secret Hero won only last week. But I suggest his new style of running – from the front – and the return to form of his trainer makes him the day’s best bet.

Ado McGuiness had had a long lean spell until three wins in three days last week, including Secret Hero at Bellewstown under today’s rider.

He won four-and-a-half lengths that day and connections just have to bring Secret Hero (7.40) out again – under just the 5lb penalty – before he is reassessed.

Another placed within seven days, Wrote (6.40) could take the two-year-old mile maiden for Ballydoyle father and son O’Brien.

Wrote’s first run last Monday was a pretty casual affair: Joseph was allowed to put up 3lb overweight (Sunday lunch?) and the jockey let a green horse come home in his own time, third on unsuitable soft ground.

Are there coups being cooked up in the last? The filly Royal Orbitros (8.10) hasn’t been seen on a racetrack for 653 days but her small stable has suddenly hit form with a winner and three thirds from five runners in as many days.

In the same race, last year’s winner, Takeover Bid, who’s done nothing much since, is 3lb lower than in 2010 when making all the running from stall 7.

Today Takeover Bid has an even better draw – the plum number one – and is tongue-tied for the first time since last October.

Only one of these two outsiders can win it but, thanks to the generosity of Betdaq layers, you can comfortably back both each way at 17.0 Takeover Bid and 22.0 Royal Orbitros the win odds, as I write.

SHAMROCK’S BETS
NAP: Secret Hero (7.40 Cork)
NEXT BEST: Wrote (6.40 Cork)
OUTSIDERS: Takeover Bid and Royal Orbitros (8.10 Cork)
DAQ TRIO: Mixed doubles and trebles Wrote (6.40 Cork) and Secret Hero (7.40 Cork) with Takeover Bid and Royal Orbitros (8.10 Cork)