Horse & Jockey Hotel Coursing Oaks 2020 – Preview

With just days left until Clonmel, greyhound expert Damien Lonergan previews the Horse & Jockey Hotel Coursing Oaks.
1st Quarter
Looks to be an extremely wide open section. Kingsmill Alva will nearly start favourite to win the quarter being nicely nestled at the top. The main danger to her in the top 8 looks to be Rolledandbowled. We have seen plenty of support for this lady since the draw was made.
Kingsmill won first time of asking in Wexford and has since appeared out in the All Age in Mooncoin where she was withdrawn out of the semi-final after pleasing her shrewd connections after two runs. Kates Blossom set a few tongues wagging after her win in the Macroom Trial Stake which was ran in Bandon. She went into the trial stake as a well supported jolly after running up on debut to the Oaks favourite Scientific in Ballyduff.
This form is rock solid. Her connections will be happy with her draw and be confident about making the third morning. Of the others, Marshals Babe will relish the long field in Clonmel and Amazing Music can continue to improve after running up the Corn Na Feile Oaks.
Selection: Kingsmill Alva
Danger: Kates Blossom
2nd Quarter
My Oaks fancy Icon Queen leads the cavalry in this section. She looked awesome when winning her trial stake ran in Westmeath and I cant see any reason why she shouldn’t take to Powerstown Park.
The key to this lady is getting her on the white collar, although she will have two reds in round one and two I’d fancy her to come through with flying colours. Please Luci has only one run and one win on her CV thus far and with the form her trainer John Mulcahy this lady could go very close, coming from the Bandon trial stake you would be thinking she will love the rising ground.
Foxhollow Queen is one that deserves a second glance, her breed suggests that the tougher the conditions the better. She looks to have the top of the quarter at her mercy so the Matthews team have a real strong hold of this quarter.
Selection: Icon Queen
Danger: Foxhollow Queen
3rd Quarter
Now we are getting to into the serious business! What a quarter we have in store here; there are fancied runners all over the place.
The two Ballymac runners will have plenty of support; you would imagine that Amber is the team captain after winning the Corn Na Feile Oaks. That form puts her at the head of the class in the Oaks but I have a sneaky feeling her kennel companion Smokey isn’t too far off the pace.
She gets in as she was the first reserve after winning her only outing in Lixnaw. Sometimes we don’t give the reserves enough respect but in this instance we need to take note. Floating Skye gathered herself a lot of fans when winning at her home meeting in Glin, her style of victory tell us the further the better for her and in the capable hands of Mairead Wallace have no doubt she will be primed for action.
Crafty Kazoo is the worst result for our ante-post book, the money came just before she ran in the all age in Galway & Oranmore. Someone knew something we didn’t! She showed massive improvement in the Glin field and vibes from the stable are extremely positive.
Selection: Ballymac Smokey
Danger: Crafty Kazoo
4th Quarter
During the draw we were wondering if the two jollies names were in the hat at all! Low and behold they come out in the same quarter.
Joyandjubilation has a tough assignment on her paws on Friday morning where she faces dual trial stake winner Spillover, if she gets over this she could be deserving favourite.
The word was out about Scientific very early in the season so it was no surprise to see her installed as the Oaks jolly after collecting in Ballyduff. Her runs in Abbeyfeale wouldn’t exactly blow you away but the only positive I’d take from it was the way she ran the top of the field.
Please Abbie performed a minor miracle to make it back in time to pick up her ticket in Castleisland. After suffering a toe injury in Ardpartrick she was nursed back beautifully by John Mulcahy to land the spoils.
We are going to give Ashmore Rosie a mention as she is representing the company, she wasn’t beat far at all by Ballymac Amber in round one of the Corn Na Feile after leading. Rosie is in the form of her life and with a bit of luck will go a few rounds. Ciaralou is bred to be special!
Selection: Scientific
Danger: Joyandjubilation
Icon Queen was the most impressive I have seen all year so I’m going to stick with her. Her draw looks good and I have no doubt about her fitness. Ballymac Smokey and Scientific can be her main dangers!