Air Force One ready for take off
Trained by Charlie Mann and to be ridden today by claimer Peter Toole, Air Force One has not triumphed since landing a Grade 1 novice event at Punchestown almost two years ago.
Runner-up to Madison Du Berlais in the Hennessy Gold Cup at Newbury later in 2008, he has failed to shine in subsequent outings and, last time, unseated his rider early in the ultra competitive handicap won by Wogan at Doncaster.
Prior to that disappointment, Air Force One had finished a distant third behind Tricky Tricksetr in Newbury’s Aon Chase, after the dramatic exit of Denman.
At his best, Air Force One would make short work of today’s opposition and, favoured by the drying ‘good’ ground, he’s preferred to One Cool Cookie, winner of this race last year and third to Vic Venturi at Fairyhouse last time.
Although disappointing when third to Kilty Storm at Leopardstown last time, course specialist Agus A Vic should get back in the winning habit for Pat Martin and Jamie Codd in the Bushmills Irish Whiskey Hunters Chase.
Earth And Sky, third to Final Question at Clonmel, has a definite chance in the Gordons Gin Beginners Chase.
Meanwhile, at Wexford, Slievecorragh, convincing winner of a conditions event at Naas recently, should follow-up for Francis Flood and Mark Walsh in the Richard Browne & Sons Ltd. Hurdle.
The Arthur Moore-trained Organisedconfusion, which beat Taravada in a beginners’ event at Gowran Park last time, might be capable of outpointing his two rivals The Last Hurrah and Frontier Lady in the Martin Kent Memorial Chase.
Christy Roche, in double form at Limerick on Sunday, might repeat the achievement with Groody Hill in the opener and Clarkey, under a mandatory 6lb. penalty for his Limerick win, in the Pinnacle Novice Handicap Chase.
