Ireland’s Finals Day team for Newcastle is beginning to take shape, with Tarsus set to make his handicap debut in the BetMGM All-Weather 3 Year Old Championships Handicap over six furlongs.
Andrew Slattery’s runner has been allotted a mark of 92 after winning twice at Dundalk this season, with his latest success coming at the expense of course specialist Harry’s Bar in a six-furlong conditions race on February 9.
Tarsus shed his maiden tag at the track in early December and finished a close fourth in a conditions event in January, a race in which Manhattan Dreamer (Adrian Murray) was third.
Slattery said: “Everything seems with good with Tarsus. He worked well last Saturday and the intention is to let him take his chance at Newcastle.
“His winter campaign has been good. He has surprised us in some ways by how much he has come forward in recent months, although we thought he was a nice horse last year and he disappointed us.
“He surprised us the first day he won at Dundalk [at 66/1] and has surprised us since. He seems to be one of those horses who doesn’t overdo it at home and saves his best for the track, which is promising.
“With a rating of 92, he has landed himself where he is and you could not be sure if it is a workable mark. But his last performance to beat Harry’s Bar was good and he probably shouldn’t have been beaten the time before, when he finished fourth.
“Declan McDonogh rode him the last day and said he would stay seven furlongs, so the stiff six at Newcastle should not be a problem.”
Denis Hogan is hoping Tyson Fury can land a knockout blow in the BetUK All-Weather Championships Marathon Handicap, having proved his stamina for two miles in no uncertain terms last time out.
The seven-year-old, who was runner-up in Listed company for previous trainer Richard Spencer, spreadeagled the field to win a Dundalk handicap by five and a half lengths.
That victory followed three solid efforts over middle distances at Ireland’s only all-weather track, including finishing second to BetUK Easter Classic contender Elegant Man (Adrian Murray) in a conditions race in January.
Hogan said: “Tyson Fury is in great nick and we are looking forward to heading over. I think our apprentice Sean Bowen is going to ride him and he claims 5lb, which will be a help from a mark of 104.
“Tyson Fury likes the all-weather and the prize money at Newcastle is so good, we feel obliged to have a go, especially now he has proven himself over the trip.
“He was a bit of a punt [for 9,000gns], given he had a few issues in the past, but we have had good luck at the sales and he looks to be another gem. My mother owns him, so she has been getting a good craic out of it!
“He likes to drop in and Newcastle tends to favour that type of running style. I think the race should suit him well.”
Another notable Irish hope is the Johnny Murtagh-trained Final Voyage in the BetMGM All-Weather Championships Mile Handicap.
Captain Joy, who plundered the Mile in 2016, is the only Irish-trained winner on Finals Day so far from 18 runners.
