Brian Fleming looks back at the action last week and nominates his 'Tracker Trio' The irishracing.com tracker facility is something that has become a must-have tool for anyone serious about their punting. I have used the tracker since it was added a long time ago and I'm going to share some of the horses that have caught my eye over the previous week. The first meeting I'm focusing on is a flat card that took place at Roscommon on Monday, August 31 with the fixture that took place at Down Royal last Friday, September 4, also in focus. YOUCANSAYTHATAGAIN trained by Andy Oliver and ridden by Billy Lee - Roscommon, August 31. Winner of an extended 1m2f maiden at Down Royal in July when backed from 5/1 into 5/4 favourite, Andy Oliver’s colt was the subject of market support once again when upped in trip for her second handicap start last week but got a horror run. Winning rider Andrew Slattery aboard Letiza didn’t give Billy Lee an inch who was travelling ominously well sitting motionless just in behind when looking for room aboard Youcansaythatagain. It was cruel to watch for his backers (8/1 in the morning returned 5/1) with Lee then accepting the situation, with an eye obviously on another day, when easing his mount right down a good way out. Given the market confidence tackling this 1m4f trip for the first time and the way things unfolded after tracking the leaders into the straight he’ll surely have another day over a similar journey. MONOLOGUE, trained by Stephen Thorne and ridden by Jack Kearney - Down Royal, September 4. This didn’t look a particularly strong 5f juvenile maiden on paper. The son of Dandy Man was the subject of strong market support all day and again on course, eventually going off the 13/8 favourite. It all happened a bit quick for Stephen Thorne’s newcomer. Showing signs of greenness when running around in the closing stages under Jack Kearney suggested he’ll be a lot better with this initial experience under his belt. He should come forward from this creditable debut effort and won’t mind stepping up to 6f. ACANTO, trained by Noel Meade and ridden by Adam Caffrey - Down Royal, August 4 The application of first-time blinkers saw a big step up from this filly, running on to fill the third spot behind winner Dancing Steve who was registering his third career success for Ado McGuinness. This was her first time racing over this longer trip on just her fourth start and handicap bow. She was friendless in the market drifting in the betting from 7/1 out to 20s but expect her to be a lot shorter in the market next time. Her rider reported afterwards she was hanging right on her fourth career start but she seems to be learning all the time. We’ll be expecting more improvement from this daughter of Churchill who cost €40,000 as a yearling.
