It's that time of the year where the UK and Ireland's sand running elite head to Ireland's east coast to test their whits against each other on the shores of Laytown. In what is one of the most unique meetings on the calendar, it is often one of the more challenging of courses to get some good winners but with unpredictably comes more chance of big odds winners so we've taken a look at the card and given an in depth tip for each race. Have a look below and don't forget to tweet us your thoughts into @TWEnclosure!
Laytown - 15:45 - Rippling Waters
Our first selection for Laytown this Thursday comes in the shape of the Jamie Osborne trained Rippling Waters. A consistent performer in the UK finishing in the top four in all of her past four races, this will be the fillies first run under Osborne and more notably the first time she'll be steered by Dougie Costello. In a field which doesn't seem to have much depth or quality, we believe that Rippling Waters racecourse experience will be enough to guide her over the line for a maiden win at the sixth time of asking.
Laytown - 16:15 - Cyrus Dallin
When you look up the word 'minefield' in the racing dictionary a claiming race at Laytown is usually found in the meaning below and that's just what we've got on our hands here but we believe we've found some sort of value with our pick. Cyrus Dallin, trained by Denis Hogan out of his North Tipperary stables, he originally ran out of John Gosden's stables before moving to William Muir after his debut win in January last year. Since then he has just one win from 15 runs which has seen him hit a career low mark of 62 for this race however his best form has come on the all weather and that surface is closest thing to the sand of Laytown you're going to get.
Laytown - 16:45 - Seanie
The first handicap of the meeting sees 10 go to post for the €7,700 prize and we've gone for the race reserve Seanie. Second in this race by a head last year, the then David Marnane trained colt followed that up with some impressive performances at Dundalk before a move to Karl Thornton in April of this year. Yet to get off the mark for him in eight races, this race looks perfect for him to get his first win for Thornton especially off 16lbs lighter than his second in this race last year. If he does manage to get in, we believe he will be extremely hard to beat.
Laytown - 17:15 - Mzuri
Third in the claimer here last year, the Adrian McGuinness mare is yet to get off the mark in 38, yes, THIRTY EIGHT races. So the immediate question will be why we're backing it? Well, as with our previous selection Seanie, it's down to course form for us. Bottom weight in this race with a claimer on board, she's barely carrying anything and if she's going to get off the mark at some point then this race should prove to be her best chance.
Laytown - 17:45 - Coreczka
Once again, our selection for the 50-75 handicap comes solely based on course form. With nothing of note seeming to be in the race, we've gone for last years winner Coreczka. She won this race impressively last year at good odds of 10/1 and we believe she'll follow it up this year. Off a mark of 68 now, 4lbs higher than what she was rated in this race last year, it will undoubtedly be a tougher task but her course experience under the steering of Oisin Orr, who still carries a claim of 3lbs, should be enough to see her make it two wins here on the bounce.
Laytown - 18:15 - My Good Brother
For our final selection of the meeting we've gone for the Tom McCourt trained My Good Brother. Owned by Melbourne 10 Racing syndicate who will undoubtedly be in the winners enclosure at some point due to the masses of horses they've declared for Laytown, My Good Brother could well be their best chance of a winner. Second behind Coreczka last year, the booking of the highly rated Colin Keane is a massive plus with him winning two and placing in two of his four rides here last year so he clearly knows how to ride a winner on the course. The horse made a promising return to action at Dundalk 20 days ago after a 97 day break finishing second to Royal Navy Warship and we fully expect him to go one better at Laytown and claim victory.
Never seen the racing at Laytown before? Have a look at what went on at last years meet here...