Forgotten Pandorama taken to serve reminder of his prowess
Sunday November 29 2009
PANDORAMA has enough going for him to justify a bet at 7/1 in this afternoon's captivating Drinmore Novices' Chase at Fairyhouse.
Twelve months ago, the son of Flemingsfirth was antepost favourite for the Ballymore at Cheltenham, having destroyed Alpha Ridge in a Navan novices' hurdle. Today, he is actually priced up longer than Paul Nolan's charge, which remains a maiden over fences, and that should be questioned.
The only real concern about Pandorama today -- and it is for this very reason that he is 7/1 -- is how he leapt quite markedly left throughout his chasing debut at Punchestown. In such company as he will face this afternoon, the gelding will hardly get away with a similar round of jumping; however, trainer Noel Meade insists he has schooled much more conventionally since.
Pandorama was a high-class novice hurdler and he relishes deep ground, as he showed that day when finishing 26 lengths ahead of Alpha Ridge on the bridle. Such was his assessment of the horse's profile, Meade had even toyed with the notion of going straight over fences last season.
Thus, it was a little disappointing that he lost ground at his obstacles at Punchestown. However, he still beat the well-regarded Clan Tara quite cosily, and can be expected to have learned from the experience.
Pesoto, the favourite, could hardly have been more impressive on his seasonal debut, making all and winning in a hack canter at Limerick. Whether he should be as short as 4/1 in this company is debatable; there is a chance that this distance is as far as he wants too.
River Liane has greater doubts with regard to the trip. In contrast, Alpha Ridge would prefer further, while the very deep ground will be a concern for the selection's stablemate, Jered -- despite his success earlier this month.
Whatuthink has to be respected, given his hurdling form and the quality of the beginners' chase he won last time. There is no guarantee he will get a soft lead today, though. In such a hot race, the other runners are quite hard to fancy.
One may opt to see how Pandorama negotiates the first fence before backing him in-running, but it is worth chancing him now at 7/1. If Davy Condon can secure enough cover, the horse's jumping can be the better for it and he is arguably the most likely winner if he can perform in line with how he has reportedly schooled. He can be described as something of a forgotten horse but today can serve of a reminder of his prowess.
Sligo, meanwhile, are a tempting price to win Division 3 of the NFL at 11/2 with Boylesports, the other high-street firms going just 4s. Kevin Walsh's men are clearly progressive, as evidenced by how close they ran Kerry and Galway in the 2009 championship.
Celtic could not exactly be described as progressive and they hardly deserve to be odds-on at home to Hapoel Tel-Aviv. The Israelis, top of the Europa League's Group C, have scored 12 goals in their four games.
Recommendations
Pandorama to win the Drinmore, 1pt win at 7/1 (general)
Sligo to win Division 3 of NFL, 1pt at 11/2 (Boylesports)
Lay Of The Week
Celtic to beat Hapoel, 1pt at 1.9 approx (0.9pt liability, Betfair)
jwardvb@gmail.com
- JOHNNY WARD
Sunday Independent
