Saturday, December 31, 2011
IT is very much a case of role reversal for me this weekend. Normally, I'm in England today and back in Ireland tomorrow, but it is the opposite this time round.
I head to my local track this afternoon, Punchestown, for four rides and will be at Cheltenham on Sunday.
Truth to tell it is ordinary pickings for me at Punchestown, with the exception of Mikael D'Haguenet in a two and a half mile hurdle.
It has been well documented by now that Mikael was once regarded as a possible Cheltenham Gold winner at Willie Mullins', prior to him losing his way somewhat.
He has, however, been going nicely of late, winning well at Fairyhouse last time for Paul Townend. That was over two miles, but an extra four furlongs now is not an issue.
His most interesting rival is obviously Western Leader. He's a really good horse, but is returning from a long absence and I have to fancy my chances of beating him.
I kick away aboard Colbert Station for my dad in the beginners’ chase, while Willie runs a six-year-old call Soll.
Colbert station has been off for 618 days and Soll was formerly trained in England by John Quinn, winning over hurdles at Newcastle.
They both have a life, but you'd imagine will struggle to beat the likes of Fully Funded and Son Amix.
I ride a French-import, Darroun for Willie in a maiden hurdle for three-year-olds. He used to be trained by Alain De Royer-Dupre, won on the flat and was owned by the Aga Khan. He is a decent sort of horse, but the way the son of Dalakhani works we think will be better on better ground.
I finish on another of Willie's, Poyzc, in a handicap hurdle. He's consistent, but just doesn't win very often.
He keeps going up for getting beaten and was raised another 6lbs for finishing second at Cork. He has to carry top weight now and it seems likely that at least one of those lurking lower down will have the legs on him.
Cheltenham certainly promises a bit more excitement and I begin on Jump City in a novice hurdle.
He was disappointing when a remote fourth to a smart sort in Fingal Bay at Sandown, but this does represent a drop in class.
I am more than hopeful regarding Sonofvic in a novice chase. He won two hurdle races - at Ascot and Chepstow - and then made a smashing start over fences when second to Grands Crus at Newbury.
He was always going to be a chaser, is one I've always liked and have to be reasonably confident.
If I can get Ghizao jumping properly then he won't be far away in a valuable handicap chase. He got a fright early on when sixth to Quantitativeeasing at Cheltenham and made so many mistakes it was a miracle he was able to run so well. He has done a lot of schooling in the meantime.
I won nine lengths on Oscargo at Cheltenham and we try again in a handicap hurdle. He went up 12lbs for the last day, but I wouldn't argue with the handicapper.
Oscargo will love the track and trip and is a tough, improving horse. This is a better race than Cheltenham, but he is going forward.
Poungach steps out of handicap company to take on Oscar Whisky in a conditions hurdle but I think it is a tall order.
According to the handicapper, he has just 2lbs to find at the weights with Nicky Henderson's horse.
If Poungach emerges from the contest still within that amount of Oscar Whisky then I will be more than happy.
I finish on Que Pasa for Seamus Mullins in the bumper, but would be shocked should that prove good enough.
The one I'm going to nap is Willie Mullins' Turban in a novice hurdle at Tramore today. I won on him at Thurles and liked the horse.
Then he ran well when fifth at Navan afterwards - David Casey rode - when I thought he didn't stay two and a half miles.
And just a word about Kauto Star and that magnificent defeat of Long Run in the King George at Kempton on Monday.
Both horses deserve great credit and beat the rest by a street. There is every reason to think that Kuto, even though he will be twelve tomorrow, is as good as ever.
I must mention as well David Pipe's Grands Crus, who beat me on Silviniaco Conti at Kempton. We went a ferocious pace, it rode a hell of a race and I was hugely impressed by Grands Crus.
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