Thursday, April 22, 2010
AS far as I’m concerned there is only one plus to me not riding today, and that’s the fact I don’t have to choose between Willie Mullins’ three runners in the World Series Hurdle.
He has left in Mourad, Cousin Vinny and Quevega and coming down on the side of one them would have been very difficult.
Cousin Vinny never really took to fences, but has come back well over hurdles. He ran quite well behind Big Buck’s at Cheltenham and then won nicely at Fairyhouse.
He is definitely on the way back, will get the trip and is a much happier horse right now.
Mourad should have won his last three, because I think I was too confident on him when we got narrowly beaten by War Of Attrition at Navan.
He scored in a canter at Fairyhouse last time and three miles, to my mind, is simply made for this horse.
The ground was very testing at Fairyhouse and you can argue it might be on the fast side for him.
But, as against that, one of his best efforts came on good ground at Cheltenham last year when third in the Triumph Hurdle.
Anyway, if you put a gun to my head, then I’d almost certainly stick with Quevega, who has done me proud on more than one occasion.
Regular readers of this column will know that I am a huge fan of the mare. She has yet to tackle three miles, but I believe will stay.
You can’t find fault with what she did at Cheltenham, bolting in in the mares’ race, on her seasonal debut.
And a year ago, at this meeting, Quevega showed her class when third to Solwhit and Punjabi over two miles.
Karabak sets the standard. Alan King’s horses have had an indifferent campaign and this fellow didn’t fire at Cheltenham behind Big Buck’s.
But he is more than decent, when on song, and I cannot forget that he chased home Mikael d’Haguenet at Cheltenham last year.
I think Willie’s three have him to beat, but I’m happy enough to put Quevega up as the most likely winner.
I’m going to stick with Willie in the first as well, a two and a half mile conditions hurdle, and recommend Quadrillon.
His chance may not be immediately apparent, but bear with me. Prior to Cheltenham, he began to work on the quicker gallops at home and showed marked improvement.
Quadrillon then went to Fairyhouse, on heavy ground, and wasn’t at all disgraced in finishing third to Hold The Pin.
I now feel he needs decent ground to produce his best, so let’s see if that theory is anywhere near to being correct.
Willie runs two in the handicap chase, Lilywhitedancer and Clear Gold. Lilywhitedancer won well enough at Navan and Clear Gold will love the going, but has been running in bad races.
I have a sneaky feeling for Charlie Swan’s Valain, who has plenty of speed and will relish the surface.
The Grade 1 Ryanair Novice Chase promises some contest and is likely to be run at a ferocious gallop.
Sports Line, if anyone would know how free he can be it would be me, Archie Boy and Let Yourself Go will all want to be near the front.
Psycho can make it as well, but, unlike the other three, will settle if that’s what you want him to do.
Psycho stays two and a half miles and, the way this is going to be run, just might open the door for him.
I met surgeon, Bill Quinlan, in Dublin yesterday and he is happy with the way my left arm is healing.
It is holding a good line and I will now have the cast on for another six weeks. I’m looking at being back in action for Killarney in July. I’ve been working this week at Punchestown for RTE. It’s enjoyable and helps pass the day, but is no substitute for riding.
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