Tuesday, February 9, 2010 Previous editions
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
DOCTOR Deejay should prove hard enough to beat in the Green Fee Vouchers three-year-old Maiden Hurdle at Gowran Park today, should the meeting survive an 8am inspection.
A modest performer when trained on the flat by Michael Halford, the selection made an excellent start over jumps at Thurles last month.
Noel Meade’s Cross Appeal went off a heavily-backed favourite then, but got a real fright, scrambling to beat Doctor Deejay by a head.
Willie Mullins’ inmate went off market-leader, to fulfil the promise of that Thurles effort, at Down Royal subsequently.
But he disappointed in finishing just under three lengths third behind Chebona Bula, although would have been closer but for blundering at the last.
The second, fourth and fifth in that Down Royal contest, Sword Fish, Fearnwood Girl and Save My Blushes respectively, all ran reasonably well at Navan on Sunday, so the form seems solid enough.
Mullins’ Enterprise Park, like Doctor Deejay, he will be partnered by Ruby Walsh, gets the vote in the first division of the Porters’ Saddlery Maiden Hurdle.
He’s only been seen once, taking a moderate bumper on this track back in April. But jumping was always likely to see him in a better light and this is a gentle introduction.
Don’t Turn Bach is a third Mullins possibility in the Bumper. He displayed some potential in three point-to-points and it wouldn’t be a major surprise should plenty of improvement be forthcoming for his new trainer!
The second division of the Porters’ Saddlery Maiden Hurdle is the more competitive of the two sections, with the nod falling on Steel Park, runner-up behind Coole River at Down Royal on his first outing over jumps.
One to keep an eye here is Kauto Star’s half-brother, Kauto Relko, whose record to date is hitting the deck in two point-to-points.
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